Should you ignore the first BP reading?

Ignore the first day's readings altogether, because they might not be accurate as you're not familiar with your monitor yet. At the end of the week you will have a useful picture of what your blood pressure is normally like.

Why is first BP reading discarded?

suggested that discarding the first reading may improve the accuracy of the diagnosis of hypertension. Furthermore, in order to eliminate the increase of BP associated with the effect of alarm, ESH guidelines for home BP measurement recommend discarding the measurements performed on the first day.

Is the first or second blood pressure number more important?

The first reflects systolic blood pressure, the amount of pressure in the arteries as the heart contracts. The second reflects diastolic blood pressure, the pressure in the arteries between heart muscle contractions. For years, systolic blood pressure has been seen as the one that really matters.

Is blood pressure usually higher when you first get up?

Blood pressure has a daily pattern. Usually, blood pressure starts to rise a few hours before you wake up. It continues to rise during the day, peaking in midday. Blood pressure normally drops in the late afternoon and evening.

Can blood pressure fluctuate within minutes?

Most healthy individuals have variations in their blood pressure — from minute to minute and hour to hour. These fluctuations generally happen within a normal range. But when blood pressure regularly spikes higher than normal, it's a sign that something isn't right.

Should you take multiple Blood Pressure readings? How many BP readings are required?

Can a tight blood pressure cuff cause a high reading?

Improper placement of the cuff over clothing can cause your blood pressure measurement to increase by 10 to 50 points. If the cuff is too small, it can add 2 to 10 points to your bp measurement.

How long should you wait between blood pressure readings?

It is recommended to wait at least 1 minute between blood pressure (BP) readings. However there is insufficient evidence on the usefulness of this recommendation using a validated automatic device.

Which reading is more important in blood pressure?

The bottom number is your diastolic blood pressure, it's the lowest level your blood pressure reaches between beats. The top number is more important because it gives a better idea of your risk of having a stroke or heart attack.

Why is my blood pressure different every time I take it?

It's normal for your blood pressure to go up and down a little during the day. If you're using a home blood pressure cuff, the readings might be off. The same holds true for drugstore equipment. It's also possible that your readings vary because you're stressed by being in a healthcare setting.

How much does anxiety raise BP?

The resulting anxiety can elevate blood pressure 10 points or more.” Studies have shown that clinics rarely take two or more blood pressure readings, even though the ACC/AHA guidelines suggest that doing so could reduce the effects of WCH.

What causes false high blood pressure readings?

Acute meal ingestion, caffeine or nicotine use can all negatively affect BP readings, leading to errors in measurement accuracy. If the patient has a full bladder, that can lead to an error in systolic BP of between 4 mm Hg and 33 mm Hg, compared with the white-coat effect can have an error of up to 26 mm Hg.

How can I stop worrying about my blood pressure?

Can checking blood pressure too often cause problems?

Don't check your blood pressure too often.

Some people find that they become worried or stressed about small changes in their readings if they take them too often. Worrying can also raise your blood pressure in the short term, making your reading higher than it should be.

Should you take your blood pressure several times in a row?

Check it twice. It's ideal to measure your blood pressure twice a day for two weeks leading up to a doctor's appointment, or following a change in medication. At each sitting, measure your blood pressure three times, but discard the first reading as it tends to be inaccurate.

Which number is worse for high blood pressure?

However, most studies show a greater risk of stroke and heart disease related to higher systolic pressures compared with elevated diastolic pressures. That's especially true in people ages 50 and older, which is why doctors tend to monitor the top number more closely.

When is the best time to take your blood pressure?

Measure your blood pressure twice daily.

The first measurement should be in the morning before eating or taking any medications, and the second in the evening. Each time you measure, take two or three readings to make sure your results are accurate.

Is 150 90 A good blood pressure?

As a general guide: high blood pressure is considered to be 140/90mmHg or higher (or 150/90mmHg or higher if you're over the age of 80) ideal blood pressure is usually considered to be between 90/60mmHg and 120/80mmHg.

Is the first BP reading accurate?

The first blood pressure reading is not always accurate for a number of reasons. The first reading often comes up higher than subsequent readings, whether you're taking the measurement at home or having it taken in a hospital or clinic. However, reading blood pressure at home usually causes less variation.

Do home blood pressure monitors read higher?

Blood pressure measurements that are higher at your home than at your doctor's office could be caused by an error in measuring your blood pressure at home or a decrease in your stress level at your doctor's office.

How do you breathe during blood pressure test?

Take a slow deep breath, then exhale just as slowly. Can you take fewer than 10 breaths a minute? Research suggests breathing that slowly for a few minutes a day is enough to help some people nudge down bad blood pressure.

Does arm position influence blood pressure?

No significant correlation was found between blood pressure difference in the different arm positions (desk and heart level) and age, sex, weight or baseline blood pressure. Conclusions: Different arm positions below heart level have significant effects on blood pressure readings.

Can dehydration cause high blood pressure?

In response, when you're dehydrated, your kidneys reabsorb water as opposed to passing it in urine. High concentrations of vasopressin can also cause your blood vessels to constrict. This can lead to an increase in blood pressure.

Does arm position affect blood pressure reading?

Arm position

Dependency of the arm below heart level leads to an overestimation of systolic and diastolic pressures and raising the arm above heart level leads to underestimation. The magnitude of this error can be as great as 10 mm Hg for systolic and diastolic pressures.

Is it OK to check BP again and again?

It's also a good idea to take your blood pressure again after about 3 minutes. Taking your blood pressure twice each time can help you check that your measurement was correct. If there is a large difference between the two readings, take a third reading. Record every reading you take.

Can I take my blood pressure twice in a row?

Forty-six percent of Americans have high blood pressure, but studies show when it's taken twice at your doctor's office - with at least one minute in between - the second reading is typically lower and a more accurate measurement.