BLOOD PRESSURE

WHAT IS

BLOOD PRESSURE? 

Blood pressure is the force of your blood on the walls of your arteries with each beat of your heart. Blood pressure is always given as two numbers:

- The top or first number is the blood pressure when your heart beats. This is

  called systolic pressure.

- The bottom or second number is the pressure remaining in the arteries between beats.

This is called diastolic pressure.

Your blood pressure fluctuates through-out the day. This is normal, and is a

reflection of how your body adapts to your daily activities (exercise, changes

in position, rest, stress, digestion, etc.). There are times during the day when

your pressure will be higher or lower, and this is absolutely normal.

The average of your home blood pressure measurements should be less than:

135 / 85 mm Hg

135 is your systolic pressure and 85 is your diastolic pressure.

Blood pressure that remains elevated over a long period of time can damage

your blood vessels or organs. 

This long-term elevation in blood pressure is called:

hypertension,

                    or simply high blood pressure

High blood pressure can lead to complications affecting the:

   - Heart

   - Brain

   - Eyes

   - Kidneys

HOW DO YOU KNOW

IF YOU HAVE HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE?

  

High blood pressure is known as the “silent killer”. It doesn’t make you feel sick, so you may not realize that you have a problem

• By the time you have symptoms like eye trouble, chest pain, or pain
 when you walk, it means that you have had high blood pressure
 for quite some time.

• To know if you have high blood pres sure, you should
 have your blood pressure checked by a health professional
a few times. This can be a doctor, a nuse or a pharmacist.
The professional may also ask you to wear an ambulatory
blood pressure monitor to measure your blood pressure
 over a 24-hour period.

WHY SHOULD I

MEASURE MY BLOOD PRESSURE AT HOME? 

You can measure your blood pressure at home in 
addition to having it measured at a clinic by a health professional.

• When you measure your blood pressure at home, you can take

multiple readings. These readings can show how your blood

pressure varies over a week, and can give a more
reliable assessment of your blood pressure over time. 

• Sometimes, blood pressure measured at home differs
 from those measurements taken by a health professional
at a clinic or doctor’s office. Readings taken at home can 
give a more realistic picture of your actual blood pressure.

WHEN SHOULD I MEASURE

MY BLOOD PRESSURE?

Preparation:

• Rest for 5 minutes before measuring your pressure. 

• Wait 30 minutes after physical exertion or cold exposure
(even a brisk walk can affect blood pressure). 

• Wait an hour after drinking a caffeinated beverage
such as coffee, tea or cola. 

• Wait two hours after a meal.

• Urinate or move your bowels, if neces sary, before
 measuring your blood pressure.

Measurement:

Measure your blood pressure twice a day.

• Take 2 measurements in the morning when you get up,  before

taking your medication.

• Take 2 measurements in the evening. You may find it convenient
to measure blood pressure when you get home from work or
before your evening meal. Otherwise find a convenient and regular
time a couple of hours after mealtime, but before taking any
medications or bathing. 

• Always take two consecutive measurements, at least one
minute apart.

HOW DO I MEASURE

MY BLOOD PRESSURE?

In some people, blood pressure will be higher in one arm than 

the other. If this is the case for you, always put the cuff on the 

arm that has the higher pressure.

Use a chair with an arm rest or sit next to a table, 
and support your arm  so that the cuff is at the level 
of your heart. Place the cuff on a bare arm. You may
need to use a cushion or pillow to make  sure that your 
arm is at the right height. Also make sure that you

are relaxed and comfortable with your back supported 
and legs uncrossed during the reading. Remain quiet 
and do not talk during the blood pressure measurement.
If you find it difficult to measure your own blood pressure,
ask a family member or friend to help you.

              IMPORTANT
 

• If you measure your blood pressure when you feel stressed, 

the reading will not be an accurate reflection of your usual blood

pressure. For instance, don’t take your pressure after receiving 

bad news - wait until later.

• You should measure your blood pressure at the same time

every day. Choose a time in the morning and evening

when you are most likely to remember. For instance, try 

associating your blood pressure measurement with 

another activity (e.g. before brushing your teeth or after 

going to the bathroom first thing in the morning).

• If you forget to measure your pressure a few times 

over the seven days,don’t worry. Just write an X 

on the chart corresponding to the times you

forgot.

• Fill out the chart until the end of the selected

time period. After the seventh day, put away

your blood pressure monitor and give the chart 

to your doctor or nurse at your next 

appointment. Some health professionals may

ask that you bring your device and the chart to your

appointments.