Are you confused with your blood pressure numbers? Not sure when the numbers indicate
high blood pressure or
low blood pressure?
If you have recently checked your blood pressure and know the top and bottom numbers, we suggest that you key the numbers in the box below and instantly get an idea whether it is normal or abnormal. The calculator compares your blood pressure with that of the normal range for your age group and detects if there is any abnormality. The final result will help you understand why it is important to regularly keep track of your blood pressure readings and gives some tips on how to maintain a normal blood pressure. The American Heart Association (AHA) and other medical organizations recommend that people with high blood pressure or hypertension monitor their blood pressure at home.
Home monitoring(
1✔✔Trusted Source
Home monitoring confirms clinic diagnosis of high blood pressure
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) is easy and saves both time and money and at the same time avoids
white coat hypertension(
2✔✔Trusted Source
Mallion JM. Clinical significance and treatment requirements in white coat and masked hypertension. Special Issues in Hypertension. 2012;13-24. DOI:10.1007/978-88-470-2601-8_2
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) Blood pressure is a 'mathematical representation' of two forces.(
3✔✔Trusted Source
Mathematical Modeling of Noninvasive Blood Pressure Estimation Techniques-Part II: Brachial Hemodynamics. Mauro Ursino, Cristina Cristalli. J Biomech Eng. Feb 1995, 117(1): 117-126 (10 pages)
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) The top number (systolic) is the force applied against the walls of the arteries when the heart beats and the bottom number (diastolic) is the force applied against the walls between the two beats of the heart (i.e. when heart is in a relaxed state). A blood pressure range of 110/70 to 120/80 is considered normal.
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Note: This calculator is only for people over 15 years of age
The readings should be taken when a person is in a relaxed and resting state. The test should be repeated at different intervals of the day or over a few days until similar values are consistently obtained. Measurement should be avoided immediately after exercise or a meal, as blood pressure may be high at these times.
Beware also of the
White Coat Syndrome! It is a condition in which some people blood pressure is high in a doctor’s office but normal at home. This may be because of anxiety and stress. White Coat Syndrome may lead to misdiagnosis and unnecessary treatment.
Do remember that it is important to measure the blood pressure (BP) properly for the management of hypertension(
4✔✔Trusted Source
Measurement of Blood Pressure in Humans: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association | Hypertension 2019; 73:e35-e66. DOI: 10.1161/HYP .0000000000000087.
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) and this may require more than one reading with the right cuff size, its correct positioning on the arm, remaining still and avoiding caffeinated drinks or smoking(
5✔✔Trusted Source
Monitoring Your Blood Pressure at Home
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). Both manual or automated blood pressure measurement requires the same precautions.
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Monitoring Blood Pressure at HomeHigh blood pressure or hypertension is a silent disease and is a major cause of death (
6✔✔Trusted Source
High Blood Pressure
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). There maybe no symptoms or very subtle indicators like anxiety, excessive sweating, palpitation, fatigue, dizziness or ringing in the ear. Monitoring the blood pressure at home can prevent the complications such as heart attack and stroke associated with high blood pressure(
7✔✔Trusted Source
Health Threats From High Blood Pressure
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). Home blood pressure devices usually use automatic blood pressure cuff and gauge. Buy one that is authenticated by validated by a reputable medical association. The following instructions can help with the home monitoring of your blood pressure-
References
- Home monitoring confirms clinic diagnosis of high blood pressure - (https://newsroom.heart.org/news/home-monitoring-confirms-clinic-diagnosis-of-high-blood-pressure?preview=3656)
- Mallion JM. Clinical significance and treatment requirements in white coat and masked hypertension - (https://www.semanticscholar.org/paper/Clinical-Significance-and-Treatment-Requirements-in-Mallion/699c7d4ade259acf4755cdb54d93037c29de569d)
- Mathematical Modeling of Noninvasive Blood Pressure Estimation Techniques—Part II - (https://doi.org/10.1115/1.2792259)
- Blood pressure chart - (http://www.bloodpressureuk.org/BloodPressureandyou/Thebasics/Bloodpressurechart)
- Measurement of Blood Pressure in Humans - (https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/high-blood-pressure/understanding-blood-pressure-readings/monitoring-your-blood-pressure-at-home)
- Monitoring Your Blood Pressure at Home - (https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/high-blood-pressure/understanding-blood-pressure-readings/monitoring-your-blood-pressure-at-home)
- High Blood Pressure - (https://www.cdc.gov/bloodpressure/index.htm)
- 8 steps to ensure your patients get their BP right - (https://www.ama-assn.org/delivering-care/hypertension/8-steps-ensure-your-patients-get-their-bp-right)
- Monitoring Your Blood Pressure at Home - (https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/high-blood-pressure/understanding-blood-pressure-readings/monitoring-your-blood-pressure-at-home)
- How to use a blood pressure monitor - (http://www.bloodpressureuk.org/BloodPressureandyou/Homemonitoring/Howtomeasure)
- Home Blood Pressure Monitoring Explained - (https://bihsoc.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Home_blood_pressure_monitoring_explained.pdf)
- Blood Pressure Monitoring at Home - (https://familydoctor.org/blood-pressure-monitoring-at-home/)
- Self-Measurement of Blood Pressure at Home in the Management of Hypertension - (http://www.clinmedres.org/content/3/1/19.long)
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