Did you know there are rules for checking your blood pressure (BP) accurately? Yes, you should check your BP regularly. But it is important you do so right.
So, before measuring your BP:
🔴Make sure your bladder is empty. Go and urinate.
🔴Now, rest comfortably and quietly for 5 minutes before measuring blood pressure.
🔴Avoid smoking, drinking alcohol, or exercising within 60 minutes of measuring blood pressure.
🔴Think of a happy event in your life. Breathe in and out deeply 5 times. Relax.
When measuring BP:
🔴Take readings at the same time each day.
🔴Do not talk when checking
🔴Sit with your back straight, legs uncrossed, and feet flat on the floor.
🔴Rest the arm (left arm preferably) on a flat surface so that the upper arm is at heart level.
🔴Place the cuff on the left arm so that the bottom of the cuff is directly above the elbow crease.
🔴Take two or three readings approximately 1 minute apart and calculate the average value.
🔴Keep a record of all readings
Just to refresh your memory on the numbers to look out for when you measure your blood pressure:
Systolic (mmHg) Diastolic (mmHg)
Normal <120 and <80
Elevated 120-129 and <80
Stage 1 Hypertension 130-139 or 80-89
Stage 2 Hypertension >140 or >90
Hypertensive Crises >180 and/or >120
Now, tell me, have you been checking your blood pressure accurately, or you have been making some errors?
Osa's Liz
October 29, 2022., 7:46 am /
Na wa o. That means even hospitals do it wrongly. Wow! Thanks for the information, it's so valuable.
Dr Chinasa
October 31, 2022., 3:35 pm /
You are welcome
Dr Chinasa
October 31, 2022., 3:35 pm /
You are welcome...
zulfah taiwo
October 29, 2022., 8:56 am /
hi .Will definitely follow through ,when next am checking my pressure. a big thank you.
Dr Chinasa
October 31, 2022., 3:36 pm /
My pleasure
Mariam
October 29, 2022., 9:11 am /
Thanks for these tips Dr!!!
Dr Chinasa
October 31, 2022., 3:36 pm /
You are welcome
glowreal
October 29, 2022., 1:53 pm /
Thank you, Dr.
Imaobong
October 29, 2022., 3:26 pm /
Thanks for this update.
Binta
October 29, 2022., 4:23 pm /
Thank you.
Favour Adeyinka
October 30, 2022., 3:13 am /
Wow 👏 thanks alot dear Dr,I have actually been doing it the wrong way.lesson learnt.
Dr Chinasa
October 31, 2022., 3:36 pm /
Thank you for reading.
Abass
October 30, 2022., 4:31 am /
Great Write up ma’am. This will definitely be helpful. Thanks a mega
samba nyirenda
October 30, 2022., 5:45 am /
Thanks so so much, very handy, Will share.
Olajumoke Sarah
October 30, 2022., 7:59 am /
The hospital has been checking my pressure wrongly, no wonder it's always high at the hospital but normal at home. I will stick to a particular time from now. Thank you Dr for the information shared.
Dr Chinasa
October 31, 2022., 3:36 pm /
You are welcome