Uncle Li is a retired teacher who is 68 years old. Recently, he has noticed that he often feels dizzy, palpitations, and sometimes has symptoms of chest tightness and shortness of breath. Uncle Li realized that it might be related to blood pressure, so he decided to go to the hospital for a check-up.
In the hospital, the doctor conducted a detailed consultation and physical examination for Uncle Li. Through blood pressure monitoring, the doctor found that Uncle Li's blood pressure level was indeed high, which met the diagnostic criteria for hypertension. Considering Uncle Li's age and symptoms, the doctor advised him to start using antihypertensive drugs and monitor his blood pressure regularly at home to keep abreast of changes in blood pressure.
Uncle Li followed the doctor's advice and began to measure his blood pressure at home. However, what puzzled him was that the blood pressure values measured at different times turned out to be very different. Sometimes blood pressure is high, sometimes it is normal. Uncle Li didn't know which value to believe, and he didn't know exactly when it was the most accurate time to measure blood pressure.
At the next follow-up visit, Uncle Li asked the doctor his questions. The doctor smiled and explained, "Uncle Li, your confusion is very common. In fact, our blood pressure is not static, it can be affected by many factors, such as mood, activity, diet, etc. In addition, there is a circadian rhythm in blood pressure, which usually peaks in the early morning and at night. "
When to measure blood pressure?
In order to obtain the most accurate and valuable blood pressure data, it is recommended to select two specific time points for measurement. One is when you just wake up in the morning, and the other is at night before going to bed.
Blood pressure values at these two time points are the most stable and relatively less disturbed by external factors, so they are the most trustworthy.
Uncle Li suddenly realized that there is so much knowledge about measuring blood pressure.
The doctor told Uncle Li that it is also important to choose the right measurement time and the correct measurement method.
Rest quietly for at least 5 minutes before the measurement, and do not drink coffee, smoke or exercise vigorously.
Measure in a correct posture with your arms at heart height and without talking or moving.
If possible, it is best to measure 2-3 times in a row, taking the average of them.
Under the careful guidance of the doctor, Uncle Li's blood pressure management has gradually improved. He developed good habits, ate reasonably, exercised moderately, quit smoking and limited alcohol, and took medication as prescribed by his doctor. Regularly monitored blood pressure data showed that his blood pressure gradually leveled off and remained within the normal range. Uncle Li's physical condition has also improved significantly, with symptoms such as dizziness and palpitations significantly reduced, and his quality of life has been greatly improved.
Hypertension is a common chronic disease, and early detection and management are crucial. Regular self-monitoring of blood pressure is an important part of hypertension management, but the correct timing and method of measurement are a prerequisite for reliable data. Of course, if you find that your blood pressure is abnormal, you must give feedback to your doctor in time to adjust your treatment plan.
In addition to standardized drug treatment, lifestyle management is also an indispensable part of hypertension control. Quit smoking and limit alcohol, eat a reasonable diet, exercise moderately, and maintain psychological balance are all matters that patients with hypertension need to pay attention to. Only by all-round management can we finally achieve stable control of blood pressure, prevent various complications caused by hypertension, and improve the quality of life.
For people with chronic diseases, it is necessary to learn to self-manage and monitor. This not only helps us to better understand our physical condition, but also allows us to be more proactive in disease management. Of course, self-management does not mean self-diagnosis and treatment, and any abnormal conditions should seek help from a professional doctor in time.
Only when patients work closely with doctors can we achieve the best results in disease management, maintain our physical health, and improve our quality of life.
What do you think about this?