First, choose the right sphygmomanometer.
It is suggested to choose the upper arm electronic sphygmomanometer. According to the initiative of the World Health Organization to reduce mercury pollution, the use of mercury sphygmomanometer will be completely abolished in 2020, and electronic sphygmomanometer will be the main blood pressure measurement tool in the future.
The verified upper arm electronic sphygmomanometer has good accuracy and repeatability, and the measurement method is easy to master, so it is the first choice for family blood pressure measurement.
Second, measure left hand or right hand?
Due to the physiological structure of blood vessels, the blood pressure measured in the left arm is slightly lower, and the blood pressure measured in the right arm is closer to the blood pressure on the aorta, so it is generally considered that measuring the blood pressure in the right arm is more accurate.
But for the first time, both left and right hands need to be measured. If the blood pressure is inconsistent, the arm with higher blood pressure value shall prevail.
It should be noted that if the blood pressure difference between the two arms continues to be greater than 20 mmHg, there is a possibility of vascular disease. At this time, you should see a doctor in time and ask the doctor to do further examination to find out the reason.
Third, how to measure blood pressure correctly?
1. Do not smoke, drink alcohol or coffee for 30 minutes before the measurement, empty urine and rest for at least 5 minutes. Those who measure blood pressure should keep quiet and not talk;
2, sitting posture, feet naturally flat, upper arm and chest wall at a 40-degree angle on the table;
3. Place the center of the cuff rubber bag at the place where the pulse of the cubital fossa artery is strongest, and the lower edge of the cuff is 2-3 cm away from the cubital line;
4. The tightness should be suitable for inserting 1-2 fingers;
5. Tie the cuffs with bare arms, and the cuffs must be in a horizontal line with the heart.
6. Take blood pressure 2-3 times in a row, with an interval of 1 minute, and take the average of the last two times, because the blood pressure measured for the first time is often high.
Fourth, measure blood pressure several times a day.
1. For patients with hypertension who are newly diagnosed or whose blood pressure is unstable, it is recommended to measure 1 time every morning (6: 00 ~ 9: 00) and evening (18: 00 ~ 2 1: 00), and take the average of 2 ~ 3 times each time; Self-test was performed for 7 consecutive days, and the average blood pressure in the last 6 days was used as a reference to evaluate the treatment.
2. For some patients who can't complete blood pressure measurement for 7 consecutive days, it is recommended to measure for at least 3 consecutive days, and the average blood pressure for the next 2 days is taken as the reference value.
3. The blood pressure control is stable and up to standard, and the blood pressure can be self-tested 1 ~ 2 days every week, 1 time in the morning and evening. It is best to self-test the sitting blood pressure at a fixed time after getting up in the morning, taking antihypertensive drugs and before breakfast; It is recommended to measure blood pressure before going to bed after dinner and take medicine at night.
Hypertension is defined as family self-measured blood pressure ≥ 135/85 mmHg. It should be reminded that people's blood pressure is always changing, and it is often affected by factors such as mood, body position, temperature, activity, diet, sleep and so on.
If the blood pressure is normal on weekdays, there will be a slight fluctuation once or twice occasionally, so there is no need for anxiety and tension, and there is no need for repeated measurements in a short time. If there are no symptoms, it is generally not necessary to take antihypertensive drugs immediately. You can test it after a while and consult a doctor if necessary. We should not modify the treatment plan or stop using antihypertensive drugs according to the self-measured blood pressure value of family members.
If you can do the above, you can take your blood pressure at home with confidence. Because the persistence of blood pressure monitoring is the most important guarantee for hypertension treatment.