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Many people don’t measure their blood pressure properly at home – here’s how to get right readings
Dec
By measuring your blood pressure at home, you can take readings over several days to get a better picture of your health, rather than taking one-time measurements at your doctor’s office.
To get an right reading, it is vital to follow certain steps.
But our study found that most Australians do not measure their blood pressure correctly at home and very few are told what steps to take.
We created resources to lend a hand people measure their blood pressure at home, understand the readings and take action with their healthcare team.
High blood pressure is a huge problem
High blood pressure is a major health problem in Australia and around the world.
One in three Australian adults you have high blood pressure, also called hypertension. This is when yours blood pressure Is at or above 140/90 mmHg (mmHg refers to millimeters of mercury, the standard measurement of blood pressure).
High blood pressure is the so-called leading contributor to preventable health problems and premature death among Australians as it is a major risk factor for heart disease, stroke, dementia and kidney disease.
Why measuring blood pressure is vital
High blood pressure often has no symptoms. The only way to know if you have it is to measure it.
You may also need to check whether your blood pressure has lowered after starting treatment or if you are making changes to your lifestyle, such as increasing physical activity, stopping smoking or reducing your salt intake. Low blood pressure (hypotension) may also be a problem.
However, blood pressure changes depending on how we feel, what we have eaten or what we have just done.
These normal reactions mean that our blood pressure can change from minute to minute and hour to hour. Therefore, there are specific, recommended steps you should follow to reliably measure your blood pressure and be able to compare readings taken days, months and years apart.
Mistakes are common
We surveyed and interviewed 350 people (who measure their blood pressure at home) from across Australia to find out how Australians measure their blood pressure at home and whether they receive any education to lend a hand them know what to do.
Our study found that no one followed all recommended steps for measuring blood pressure. Instead, they said they measured their blood pressure at different times of the day, after doing different activities.
We found that most people measured their blood pressure in a seated position (90%) with the cuff on the bare arm (77%), which is the right thing to do.
While 58% of people took two blood pressure readings each time, which is correct, only 40% used the average of the two blood pressure readings. Very few (15%) measured their blood pressure over several days, both in the morning and in the evening.
Only half of the people in our study used a blood pressure monitor that had been previously used clinically confirmed. This means the device is left tested for accuracy by the manufacturer according to international standardsnot only safety.
Consultation and communication
Regardless of whether a doctor recommended home blood pressure measurement, most people (78%) reported their blood pressure readings to their doctor.
These findings tell us that doctors often apply home blood pressure readings to diagnose and manage high blood pressure. This highlights how vital it is to ensure correct blood pressure measurement.
Many people measured their blood pressure several times a week or month. But most of it guidelines recommend measuring blood pressure only at home: every day for a week, every six months; preferably before visiting a doctor and after starting or changing blood pressure medications.
Measuring your blood pressure at home can provide peace of mind, as many study participants described. However, measuring your blood pressure too often can cause unnecessary stress, potentially leading to higher blood pressure readings.
Instead, it’s better to agree with your doctor how often you should measure your blood pressure and follow the recommended steps each time to ensure your readings are as right and useful as possible.
The author provided
Blood pressure measurement support
We found that few people received any education or guidance from health care providers on how to measure their blood pressure at home.
Instead, many study participants looked online for information that would lend a hand them learn what their blood pressure numbers meant and what changes they could make to lower them. They were less interested in learning right measurement.
That’s why we worked with people who measure and monitor their blood pressure at home to create simple guide to lend a hand you choose a blood pressure device, measure your blood pressure accurately, understand your blood pressure readings, and take action to control your blood pressure.
For more information on controlling your blood pressure at home, see our resources. You can also check if your blood pressure monitor has been checked tested for accuracy.
