Knowing you have high blood pressure is stressful enough as it is. Naturally, you\u2019ll want to ensure you follow the correct method to check your levels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So, today we\u2019ll highlight ten essential facts about blood pressure readings and bust common myths to get the truth on the table.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nMYTH #1: <\/strong>You don\u2019t need to measure your blood pressure often.<\/h3>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/d13srqa9by0uyd.cloudfront.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/24083951\/2-3.png\")
<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nFACT #1: <\/strong>Individual blood pressure readings can be unreliable, so it\u2019s recommended to take measurements several times a day.<\/h3>\n\n\n\nHow often you should measure your blood pressure depends on a couple of factors:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n- How new is your diagnosis?<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- How high is your blood pressure?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Those who are newly diagnosed with hypertension, for example, are advised to take three readings in the morning and do the same in the evening to calculate an average.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For those who aren\u2019t newly diagnosed but are known to be at particular risk of cardiac issues, it may be necessary to continue to take readings multiple times a day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In most cases, people don\u2019t measure their blood pressure often enough.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
View this article on why frequent blood pressure monitoring is important<\/a> to find out more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nMYTH #2: Speaking with people during a blood pressure reading doesn\u2019t affect the result.<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nFACT #2: Talking leads to raised blood pressure readings.<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Cuff on. Cuff off. And repeat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Traditional blood pressure readings get old, fast. It\u2019s tempting to chat with someone to pass the time while you\u2019re waiting for the machine to finish the measurement. But this is a mistake.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Talking – either in-person or on the phone – can add 10 points to your blood pressure reading<\/a>. Instead, relax and try to enjoy some quiet time without engaging in conversation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nMYTH #3: You can accurately measure your blood pressure as soon as you sit down.<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nFACT #3: Recent activity such as walking or standing elevates your blood pressure.<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Most people know they should measure their blood pressure while they are seated. However, that doesn\u2019t tell the full story. Think you can get an accurate measurement as soon as you sit down?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Wrong, unfortunately.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
An unavoidable fact about blood pressure readings using the traditional method is that a little patience is required to do them right.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Aim to sit down for five minutes before you put the cuff on and turn on the machine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nMYTH #4: Any cuff size is fine to use–it doesn’t really matter.<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nFACT #4: Using an incorrect cuff size gives you false blood pressure readings.<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Trying to find the right-sized cuff to fit your arm can be a tricky task. No wonder people often continue with a cuff that\u2019s too loose or too tight.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You\u2019ll need to measure your arm circumference to figure out the ideal cuff size. Here is a guidance chart if you\u2019re not sure:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nFACT #1: <\/strong>Individual blood pressure readings can be unreliable, so it\u2019s recommended to take measurements several times a day.<\/h3>\n\n\n\nHow often you should measure your blood pressure depends on a couple of factors:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n- How new is your diagnosis?<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- How high is your blood pressure?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Those who are newly diagnosed with hypertension, for example, are advised to take three readings in the morning and do the same in the evening to calculate an average.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For those who aren\u2019t newly diagnosed but are known to be at particular risk of cardiac issues, it may be necessary to continue to take readings multiple times a day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In most cases, people don\u2019t measure their blood pressure often enough.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
View this article on why frequent blood pressure monitoring is important<\/a> to find out more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nMYTH #2: Speaking with people during a blood pressure reading doesn\u2019t affect the result.<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nFACT #2: Talking leads to raised blood pressure readings.<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Cuff on. Cuff off. And repeat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Traditional blood pressure readings get old, fast. It\u2019s tempting to chat with someone to pass the time while you\u2019re waiting for the machine to finish the measurement. But this is a mistake.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Talking – either in-person or on the phone – can add 10 points to your blood pressure reading<\/a>. Instead, relax and try to enjoy some quiet time without engaging in conversation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nMYTH #3: You can accurately measure your blood pressure as soon as you sit down.<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nFACT #3: Recent activity such as walking or standing elevates your blood pressure.<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Most people know they should measure their blood pressure while they are seated. However, that doesn\u2019t tell the full story. Think you can get an accurate measurement as soon as you sit down?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Wrong, unfortunately.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
An unavoidable fact about blood pressure readings using the traditional method is that a little patience is required to do them right.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Aim to sit down for five minutes before you put the cuff on and turn on the machine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nMYTH #4: Any cuff size is fine to use–it doesn’t really matter.<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nFACT #4: Using an incorrect cuff size gives you false blood pressure readings.<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Trying to find the right-sized cuff to fit your arm can be a tricky task. No wonder people often continue with a cuff that\u2019s too loose or too tight.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You\u2019ll need to measure your arm circumference to figure out the ideal cuff size. Here is a guidance chart if you\u2019re not sure:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How often you should measure your blood pressure depends on a couple of factors:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- How new is your diagnosis?<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- How high is your blood pressure?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Those who are newly diagnosed with hypertension, for example, are advised to take three readings in the morning and do the same in the evening to calculate an average.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For those who aren\u2019t newly diagnosed but are known to be at particular risk of cardiac issues, it may be necessary to continue to take readings multiple times a day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In most cases, people don\u2019t measure their blood pressure often enough.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
View this article on why frequent blood pressure monitoring is important<\/a> to find out more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nMYTH #2: Speaking with people during a blood pressure reading doesn\u2019t affect the result.<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nFACT #2: Talking leads to raised blood pressure readings.<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Cuff on. Cuff off. And repeat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Traditional blood pressure readings get old, fast. It\u2019s tempting to chat with someone to pass the time while you\u2019re waiting for the machine to finish the measurement. But this is a mistake.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Talking – either in-person or on the phone – can add 10 points to your blood pressure reading<\/a>. Instead, relax and try to enjoy some quiet time without engaging in conversation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nMYTH #3: You can accurately measure your blood pressure as soon as you sit down.<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nFACT #3: Recent activity such as walking or standing elevates your blood pressure.<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Most people know they should measure their blood pressure while they are seated. However, that doesn\u2019t tell the full story. Think you can get an accurate measurement as soon as you sit down?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Wrong, unfortunately.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
An unavoidable fact about blood pressure readings using the traditional method is that a little patience is required to do them right.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Aim to sit down for five minutes before you put the cuff on and turn on the machine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nMYTH #4: Any cuff size is fine to use–it doesn’t really matter.<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nFACT #4: Using an incorrect cuff size gives you false blood pressure readings.<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Trying to find the right-sized cuff to fit your arm can be a tricky task. No wonder people often continue with a cuff that\u2019s too loose or too tight.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You\u2019ll need to measure your arm circumference to figure out the ideal cuff size. Here is a guidance chart if you\u2019re not sure:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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