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You can check your blood pressure yourself. All you need is a home blood pressure device. You can get one at many drug, discount, and department stores. And, you don’t need a prescription or a medical degree to use one!
Types of blood pressure monitors
Monitors with finger and wrist cuffs may be less exact than those with arm cuffs. Also, automatic machines in drug stores and supermarkets may not be correct. Ask your doctor which type is best for you.
There are three main types of monitors:
- Manual. You listen to your pulse through a stethoscope while reading a dial to get the right reading.
- Automatic. They do the work of inflating and deflating the cuff. They also take the blood pressure readings for you.
- Semi-automatic. You inflate the cuff yourself by squeezing a bulb. The machine releases the cuff gradually and takes the readings for you.
Bring your home monitor with you the next time you see your doctor. Compare it to the results from his or her machine. Your doctor may ask you to take your blood pressure, while he or she watches, to make sure that you do it right.
Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring
Your doctor may order ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM). With ABPM, you wear a blood pressure cuff on one arm and a small monitor on a belt around your waist. You walk around with the cuff and monitor as you do your daily tasks. The cuff inflates automatically and the monitor takes readings at certain times of the day.
You can be fitted with the monitor and cuff in the doctor’s office. Doctors may order ABPM if your blood pressure seems to change a lot from one reading to the next. Doctors may also order it if they think you may have white coat hypertension.
Taking and recording blood pressure
Many people with high blood pressure check their blood pressure at least once a day. It’s also a good idea to keep a record of your readings to show your doctor. He or she can tell you how often and when you should check your blood pressure.
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