There are some common mistakes when measuring blood pressure at home.
Discover the ones cardiologists see people make.
This is why he recommends all adults regularly monitor theirblood pressure at home.
(Think about a hose in the summertime, and how bending it slows the water flow.)
This force is essential for circulating oxygen and other nutrients throughout your body.
So when your blood pressure is consistently too high or too low, it can have serious health consequences.
cardiologist and chief medical officer at University of Michigan Health-West
Those numbers refer to yoursystolic (the top one) and diastolic (the bottom) blood pressure.
According to theMayo Clinic, a healthy blood pressure reading is typically around 120/80.
So there are a number of pitfalls that can happen when were measuring our own blood pressure.
The 9 most common mistakes when people take their blood pressure at home
1.
Going to the bathroom 20 to 30 minutes beforehand will get you a more accurate reading.
Its Amazing How Its All Connected.
If the cuff is too large, the measured blood pressure is usually falsely decreased.
Conversely, if the cuff is too small, the measured blood pressure is often falsely elevated.
The width of the cuff should be able to wrap three-quarters of the distance around the arm.
cardiologist and chief medical officer at University of Michigan Health-West
Your cuff should be snug but not tight or cutting off your circulation, says Dr. Grifka.
Each blood pressure monitoring unit is different, so check that you read the instructions carefully.
If there is a discrepancy between the two, wait another minute and check it a third time.
You should be calm, silent, and sitting upright.
You never know when you might need a reliable data set to compare to.
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