Always take breaks before taking blood pressure

Rest at least three minutes before taking blood pressure

31.10.2011

Many patients with diagnosed high blood pressure (hypertension) or other cardiovascular disease measure their blood pressure as a control with a standard blood pressure monitor at home. In a recent statement, the Federal Association of Private Cardiologists in Munich points out that a minimum break of three minutes must be taken before the measurement. Otherwise the values ​​could be falsified.

If patients measure their blood pressure at home, they should first take a rest of at least three minutes. Each activity raises the blood pressure, which falsifies the measurement results. In addition, the blood pressure should always be measured at the same time in the morning before taking the medication, as the cardiologist Dr. med. Norbert Smetak of the Federal Association of Private Cardiologists in Munich emphasized. Because hypotensive agents produce a value that does not correspond to the morning facts.

Proper measuring reduces incorrect results
Anyone who uses wrist gauges should always pay attention to the correct positioning of the arm. It is important to keep the arm at heart level during the measurement. Even slight deviations of the arm posture cause measurement inaccuracies. The cardiologist also recommends measuring the blood pressure at the wrist, where blood pressure is highest. Many ignore the advice to adjust the cuff width of the device to the circumference of the wrist or the upper arm. Otherwise, measurement errors could also occur here. Although wrist gauges are comfortable, upper arm gadgets are usually more accurate. Therefore, cardiologists recommend measuring with blood pressure monitors for the upper arm to achieve reliable results.

If elevated systolic and / or diastolic blood pressures are regularly measured, the treating physician should be informed so that appropriate therapies or treatment changes can be initiated. Beforehand, the physician will initiate a 24-hour measurement using a portable meter to confirm the suspicion of self-measurement. A multiple higher value of systolic over 140 and diastolic over 90 is considered high blood pressure (over 140/90). Not included in this definition are transient increases in blood pressure due to infections, drugs or pregnancy. Persistent high blood pressure damages the arteries and leads to arteriosclerosis. In addition to obesity, diabetes, high blood lipid levels and cigarette consumption, chronic hypertension is a risk factor for triggering a heart attack.

For many patients, self-reported blood pressure measurement is important because high morning values ​​are an increased risk to the heart, brain and kidneys. Often in this context, the drugs are changed. (Sb)

Read about:
Hypertension: good treatment options
Lower high blood pressure without medication
20 million Germans suffer from hypertension

Image: Dieter Schütz / Pixelio