Blood pressure measurement is an important part of hypertension management. Accurate blood pressure readings are essential for diagnosing, treating, and preventing hypertension and its complications. However, blood pressure is not fixed throughout the day, it fluctuates with time, activity level, and the body's circadian rhythm. Therefore, choosing the right time to measure blood pressure can improve the accuracy and reliability of readings.
Why you need to monitor your blood pressure regularly
To assess the effectiveness of treatment:
Monitoring blood pressure can help assess the effectiveness of current treatment regimens and guide doctors in adjusting the dose or type of medication.
Prevent complications:
Timely detection of abnormally high blood pressure can prevent serious complications such as heart disease, stroke, and kidney disease.
Guidance on lifestyle modifications:
The results of blood pressure monitoring can help patients understand which lifestyle habits may affect their blood pressure so that they can make lifestyle changes accordingly.
Detection of masked hypertension:
In some patients, blood pressure is normal during the day and elevated at night, and regular monitoring can help detect this.
Improve patient self-management:
Through self-monitoring of blood pressure, patients can participate more actively in the self-management of hypertension and improve treatment adherence.
When is it more accurate to measure blood pressure?
Focus on 3 time points
After waking up in the morning (around 8 o'clock):
Blood pressure measurement at this point in time is very important because it helps doctors understand the baseline level of blood pressure after the patient rests at night.
Blood pressure readings at this time can reflect the so-called "morning peak" phenomenon, which is a rapid increase in blood pressure over a period of time after waking up in the morning. Blood pressure control during this time period is particularly important for the prevention of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events.
Around 5 p.m.:
Measurements at this point in time help detect fluctuations in blood pressure during the day. Blood pressure may increase in the afternoon due to factors such as daily activities, diet, and mood changes.
Monitoring blood pressure at this point in time can help doctors assess the daily fluctuations in a patient's blood pressure and adjust treatment options.
Before going to bed at night:
Measurement of blood pressure at night can help to understand the patient's blood pressure level as they prepare to enter a resting state. Blood pressure readings at this point in time are important to assess nocturnal blood pressure control, as some patients with hypertension may have nocturnal hypertension, which increases the burden on the heart and vascular system.
What to look out for when measuring blood pressure
1. Consistency of measurement time:
Try to take measurements at the same time each day, such as after waking up in the morning and in the afternoon and before going to bed in the evening, so that changes in blood pressure can be compared.
2. Quiet and relaxing environment:
You should sit still for 5-10 minutes before the measurement, and avoid measuring immediately after emotional agitation, nervousness, or strenuous exercise.
3. Correct posture:
The patient should sit in a chair with a backrest supported with their feet flat on the floor, do not cross their legs, and have their arms relaxed and placed at heart level.
4. Appropriate cuff:
The size of the cuff of the sphygmomanometer should fit the patient's arm, as a loose or tight cuff can affect the measurement.
5. Empty the bladder:
The bladder should be emptied before the measurement, as a full bladder may temporarily affect blood pressure readings.
6. Avoid caffeine and alcohol:
Avoid caffeinated or alcoholic beverages 30 minutes before the measurement, as these substances may temporarily raise blood pressure.
7. Non-smoking:
Don't smoke until your blood pressure is measured, as nicotine temporarily raises blood pressure.
8. Continuous measurement:
It is recommended to take 2-3 consecutive measurements, 1-2 minutes apart, and then take the average as a blood pressure reading.
9. Follow the doctor's instructions:
Blood pressure monitoring should be carried out according to the doctor's guidance, and if there is any doubt, the doctor should be consulted promptly.