You want to be accurate when taking a blood pressure measurement. Accurate results are useful to the doctor when he or she looks at your care diary. The results may help in making decisions about the person’s BP medicines.
Before you measure a blood pressure, have the person relax and be comfortable:
You want to be accurate when taking a blood pressure measurement. Accurate results are useful to the doctor when he or she looks at your care diary. The results may help in making decisions about the person’s BP medicines.
Follow these tips from the American Heart Association (AHA, 2012):
When you begin to monitor blood pressure at home, be sure that you have talked to the doctor and know when to call about unexpected results or how to manage them at home.
Blood pressure reading is above the acceptable range
If any of these signs or symptoms are present, contact the home health nurse, doctor, or emergency services promptly.
Blood pressure reading is below the acceptable range
If any of these signs or symptoms are present, contact the home health nurse, doctor, or emergency services promptly.
Blood pressure reading could not be obtained was difficult to hear
Older adults may not have as much muscle on their arm. In addition, their skin is more fragile and their blood pressure changes more easily.
For older adults consider:
The doctor will often have a person with high blood pressure follow a special diet. One diet that many with high blood pressure follow is called the DASH diet.
DASH stands for Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension. The DASH diet is an eating plan which is low in fat, but rich in low-fat dairy foods, fruits and vegetables. The diet is also low in salt or sodium, usually with a limit of 2 to 2.4 grams of sodium a day.
Before you measure a blood pressure, make sure the person is relaxed and comfortable.
Measuring a Blood Pressure (Manually) 6:03
Measuring a Blood Pressure (Automatic) 2:43