When is the best time to check blood pressure?!
Question: My boyfriend found out last week that he has Type II diabetes. His blood pressure was border line and the doctor told him to monitor it daily and keep a log to show him in a month at his follow up visit. But we have taken it several times at supermarkets and it ranges between 140/112 to 131/103 then we got this home monitor and it was 145-103 yesterday evening then this morning we took it when he first got up and it was 119/87. About 30 minutes later after breakfast it was 143/107. I am totally confused!! Can blood pressure be raised that quickly??? Are there certain times a day you should check it? All of the other readings except the one this morning were in the late afternoon, after working all day (sit down enviroment though) Also how many times a day should it be checked? Thank you.
Answers: My boyfriend found out last week that he has Type II diabetes. His blood pressure was border line and the doctor told him to monitor it daily and keep a log to show him in a month at his follow up visit. But we have taken it several times at supermarkets and it ranges between 140/112 to 131/103 then we got this home monitor and it was 145-103 yesterday evening then this morning we took it when he first got up and it was 119/87. About 30 minutes later after breakfast it was 143/107. I am totally confused!! Can blood pressure be raised that quickly??? Are there certain times a day you should check it? All of the other readings except the one this morning were in the late afternoon, after working all day (sit down enviroment though) Also how many times a day should it be checked? Thank you.
You can also follow these tips to help ensure accuracy when you measure your blood pressure at home:
Before using a monitor for the first time, have your doctor or nurse check its accuracy against the office model. Also have your doctor or nurse watch how you use the device so that he or she can see if you're doing it properly.
Take your blood pressure at consistent times, such as in the morning and in the evening.
Use the same arm whenever you take your blood pressure. Note that many digital monitors are meant for use only on the left arm.
Don't measure your blood pressure immediately after you wake in the morning. Wait an hour or so. If you exercise after waking, take your blood pressure before exercising.
Avoid food, caffeine, tobacco and alcohol for 30 minutes before taking a measurement.
Go to the toilet first. A full bladder can increase blood pressure slightly.
Sit quietly for three to five minutes before taking a measurement.
Sit in a comfortable position with your legs and ankles uncrossed and your back supported against a chair.
Rest your arm, raised to the level of your heart, on a table, desk or chair arm. You may need to place a pillow or cushion under your arm to elevate it high enough.
Don't talk while taking your blood pressure.
Place the cuff on bare skin, not over clothing. Rolling up a sleeve until it tightens around your arm can result in an inaccurate reading, so you may need to slip your arm out of the sleeve.
Take a repeat reading two to three minutes after the first one to check accuracy.
If your monitor doesn't automatically log blood pressure readings or heart rates, write them down in your own log.
Take the monitor to your medical office annually to be calibrated. If you drop the device or damage it, take it in to be checked before using it again, as it may no longer work properly.
Your blood pressure at home is usually slightly lower than it is in a medical office, typically by a measurement of about five points. For instance, a reading at home of 135/85 millimeters of mercury (mm Hg) is about the same as 140/90 mm Hg at the doctor's office.
Talk to your doctor about what your home blood pressure goal is. As you have diabetes, you may need a goal lower than that of someone without these conditions.
Blood pressure varies throughout the day, and readings are often a little higher in the morning. But contact your doctor if you have any usual or persistent increases in your blood pressure. Also ask what reading should prompt an immediate call to the medical office. In addition, if your home reading shows that your blood pressure is higher than normal and you experience symptoms such as severe headache, chest pain, numbness or tingling in the face or limbs, contact your medical office immediately or seek emergency treatment.
After your mother in law leaves.
Love Jack
There really isn