Your doctor will test your vitals, review your medical history, and ask about any symptoms you're having to establish if you have hypertension. To listen to your heart rate, your doctor will use a stethoscope.
When taking your blood pressure, a cuff is often put around your arm. The sizing of the cuff is critical. Inconsistent readings of blood pressure could result from a device that is too big or too tiny. The cuff can be inflated using a machine or a little hand pump.
An assessment of the arterial blood pressure
When the heart contracts and relaxes, a measurement of the pressure in the arteries is taken. This measurement is called systolic pressure, and when the heart is at rest, it is called diastolic pressure. It is common practice to measure a patient's blood pressure by wrapping an inflatable cuff over their arm. The cuff is inflated using either a machine or a little hand pump. A machine records the patient's blood pressure reading in this image. The term for this sort of reading is an automated blood pressure reading.
The first time your blood pressure is measured, it's best to collect readings from both arms to rule out any discrepancies. The next step is to use the arm with the higher reading.
The standard measurement for measuring blood pressure is millimeters of mercury or mm Hg. A reading of blood pressure includes two figures.
- The first digit is the systolic pressure. The first number, sometimes called the upper number, monitors the arterial pressure with each cardiac beat.
- An alternative name for this negative number is diastolic pressure. The second value, the lower one, indicates the arterial pressure between each heartbeat.
- When a person's blood pressure reading is 130/80 mm Hg or greater, it is deemed that they have high blood pressure, also called hypertension. Taking an average of two or more readings taken at different times is a standard method for diagnosing hypertension in patients.
Blood pressure can be classified into many levels according to its height. Here, staging is employed. Staging can help direct a therapy regimen.
During the initial phase of hypertension. The lowest reading ranges from 80 to 89 mm Hg, while the maximum reading might be anywhere from 130 to 139 mm Hg.
In the second stage of hypertension. If either the upper or lower reading is more than or equivalent to 140 mm Hg, or if both readings are more than 90 mm Hg.
On occasion, the upper reading on the blood pressure chart will be high, even when the lower reading is within the normal range (below 80 mm Hg). Isolated systolic hypertension is another term for this medical issue. This kind of hypertension is more common in people who are 65 and older.
Tracking your blood pressure at home
Do your best to keep an eye on your blood pressure readings at home as directed by your doctor. Keeping tabs on your blood pressure can be as simple as taking a reading at home. The effectiveness of your treatment and any worsening of your illness can be assessed by your medical providers.
Home blood pressure monitors are widely available at local pharmacies and stores.
According to the American Heart Association, it is best to take your blood pressure using a cuff that fits around your upper arm whenever feasible. The outcome is a readout of your blood pressure that is quite precise.
Because of the possibility of less reliable results, the American Heart Association does not recommend using devices that measure blood pressure at the wrist or finger.
