Whether you have high blood pressure or not, it’s important to monitor your readings and keep a record of the readings to show your doctor. Hypertension becomes more common with age, and you want to diagnose it at the earliest stage possible to prevent complications. Studies show that damage to the heart and other organs occurs early, even when blood pressure readings are only borderline high.
Although your doctor checks your blood pressure when you visit, that reading represents a single point in time and blood pressure can fluctuate markedly throughout the day. After a visit to your physician, you might not check it again for another year when you go for a physical. Not wise! It’s important to know how your blood pressure readings vary between morning and evening, and at different times of the day.
For example, some studies show that blood pressure spikes in the morning are linked with a higher risk of heart events, like a heart attack. When you check your blood pressure at home, you can vary the times you can get readings as soon as you wake up, throughout the day, and at bedtime.
It’s a good idea to measure your blood pressure at least twice a day — once in the morning and once in the evening — to get a better picture of how it changes throughout the day. Fortunately, it’s easier than ever to check your blood at home with the availability of digital blood pressure monitors.
Monitoring Your Blood Pressure at Home
Since there are so many devices available for monitoring blood pressure at home, checking your blood pressure is convenient and easy, and blood pressure monitors are affordable too. When selecting a blood pressure monitoring device, you can choose a cuff that fits over your upper arm or one that you place around your wrist. Although the wrist monitor might be easier and more convenient, there are some reasons to choose the arm monitor instead.
The Downsides of Wrist Monitors for Checking Blood Pressure
According to the American Heart Association, wrist monitors for measuring blood pressure are less accurate than those that go around your upper arm. Why? It’s harder to place the wrist monitor correctly, and inaccurate placement can affect the reading. Plus, the arteries in your wrist lie closer to the surface of the skin, and that can affect the blood pressure reading you get. Results from wrist digital blood pressure monitors tend to be higher than those from an upper-arm device. The biggest plus of a wrist monitor is its smaller and easier to use, but you sacrifice accuracy for ease of use.
Analog or Digital
By now, you might be convinced you need an arm monitor. Should you choose an analog or digital arm monitor to do the job? Digital monitors are easier to use and require less expertise, while analog blood pressure monitors are more accurate once you know how to use one. However, digital monitors are more likely to give you an inaccurate reading if you’re moving around. They’re also inaccurate if you have an irregular heart rhythm. But, for most people, a digital blood pressure monitor is the best choice because it’s easiest to use and when it’s easy and convenient, you’re more likely to be consistent with blood pressure checks.
Getting an Accurate Blood Pressure Reading
Once you have a monitor, make sure you’re using it according to the instructions. If you’re not sure, have your healthcare provider show you how. Improper technique can give you an inaccurate reading. Adequate preparation is important too. Here are some general guidelines:
- Sit down in a chair with your arm supported at chest level by a table or platform.
- Use good posture when sitting, keep your feet flat on the floor, and don’t cross your legs.
- Wait for 5 minutes before taking a measurement. If you’ve just done a workout, wait 30 minutes.
- Avoid drinking coffee, smoking a cigarette, or drinking alcohol before taking a reading.
- Remain quiet throughout the measurement, as talking can cause a transient rise in heart rate and blood pressure.
- Empty your bladder before checking your pressure. A full bladder can elevate the reading by as much as 10 points.
Keep a record of the blood pressure readings you get to show your doctor and include the time you took it. They’ll want to see a reading in the morning after waking up and one in the evening, so they can see how much your blood pressure fluctuates. Avoid taking it right after a meal. Make sure you’re well-hydrated too. Mild dehydration can cause your blood pressure to be falsely low.
The Bottom Line
Home blood pressure monitoring is a way to catch hypertension early, so you can bring your numbers down and avoid the health repercussions of a blood pressure that’s too high. All in all, your best bet is an upper arm blood pressure monitor due to its greater accuracy. An analog model is more accurate, but a digital arm monitor is more user-friendly if you don’t have a medical background. Wrist monitors still have their place. They can be useful for people who have very large arms. The cuff on an upper arm monitor may be too tight and uncomfortable for larger arms and a too-tight cuff can alter the reading.
Whichever you choose, keep checking your blood pressure and taking steps to bring it down if it’s too high. Hypertension is one of the leading treatable risk factors for stroke and heart attack. Monitoring your blood pressure is the best way to catch hypertension early, so you can treat it in a timely manner.
References:
- “Wrist blood pressure monitors: Are they accurate? – Mayo ….” 27 Feb. 2021, mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/high-blood-pressure/expert-answers/wrist-blood-pressure-monitors/faq-20057802.
- “5 Best Wrist Blood Pressure Monitors & Tips on Choosing.” 07 May. 2021, healthline.com/health/wrist-blood-pressure-monitor.
- “5 of the best wrist blood pressure monitors of 2021.” 06 Jul. 2021, medicalnewstoday.com/articles/wrist-blood-pressure-monitors.
- Kikuya M, Chonan K, Imai Y, Goto E, Ishii M; Research Group to Assess the Validity of Automated Blood Pressure Measurement Devices in Japan. Accuracy and reliability of wrist-cuff devices for self-measurement of blood pressure. J Hypertens. 2002 Apr;20(4):629-38. doi: 10.1097/00004872-200204000-00019. PMID: 11910297.
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