Keep your hypertension in check

High blood pressure, also called hypertension, is blood pressure that is higher than normal. Hypertension is common in older adults, and if left untreated it can contribute to the risk of stroke or heart disease.

If you have high blood pressure, you’ll want to keep a close eye on your numbers. For that, you’ll need a home blood pressure monitor. Research suggests that self- monitoring of blood pressure can lead to lower blood pressure numbers. If you have uncontrolled hypertension, regular blood pressure monitoring at home may help you get it under control.¹

How to use a home blood pressure monitor correctly.

The American Heart Association (AHA) recommends that you sit still, don't smoke or drink caffeinated beverages, and don’t exercise within 30 minutes before measuring your blood pressure.

The AHA also recommends the following tips for how to use a home blood pressure monitor:

• Empty your bladder and ensure at least five minutes of quiet rest before measurements.
• Sit with your back straight and feet flat on the floor. Your legs should not be crossed.
• Your arm should be supported on a flat surface (such as a table) with the upper arm at heart level.
• Measure at the same time every day.
• Take multiple readings and record the results.

Talk with your health care team about regularly measuring your blood pressure at home, also called self-measured blood pressure (SMBP) monitoring. By taking action to lower your blood pressure, you can help protect yourself against heart disease and stroke, and keep your hypertension in check.

¹Interventions used to improve control of blood pressure in patients with hypertension - Glynn, LG - 2010 | Cochrane Library