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(HealthNewsDigest.com) – People who take blood pressure medicines can monitor their blood pressure at home to help compensate for what’s known as “white coat” effect -a spike in readings while visiting the doctor’s office, a UT Southwestern cardiologist advises.
“People who take blood pressure medicines often are nervous about what their blood pressure will be when they’re seeing their physician, and that anxiety actually causes their blood pressure to rise,” says cardiologist Dr. Sharon Reimold, Professor of Internal Medicine at UT Southwestern. The “white coat” spike is particularly common among elderly.
Since blood pressure can be highly variable, bringing your doctor a sample of your BP readings between visits can provide a better overall picture.
Here are some tips for taking blood pressure at home:
- Pick a time when you are relaxed to measure your blood pressure.
- Hypertension experts recommend taking three measurements and then averaging the last two.
- Avoid early morning readings -5 a.m.or6 a.m.- because blood pressure is often highest very early in the morning.
- Be consistent and take your blood pressure readings at the same time of day.
It’s also important to know your recommended blood pressure levels and see your physician if the readings are consistently high. Normal blood pressure is typically less than 120 for systolic (the number when your heart is contracting) and less than 80 for diastolic (when your heart is relaxed). A systolic measurement of 120-139 and a diastolic of 80-89 are considered prehypertension. Above 140/90 is hypertension.
Dr. Reimold holds the Gail Griffiths Hill Chair in Cardiology.
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