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I Wish I'd Asked My Doctor...Blood Pressure Check Frequency
by Terri L. Pilcher, MSHS, PA-C (Terri's bio)
IMPORTANT!: Please read our legal notice regarding this health column by clicking here.
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"I don't have high blood pressure, but my parents did and I'm worried about getting it. How often should I check my blood pressure?" – Robert G.
Good for you for being aware of your health risks. High blood pressure seems to have a genetic component, so you are more likely to develop a problem than someone whose parents never had high blood pressure. It is much easier to minimize the damaging effects and keep your blood pressure under control if you catch the problem early.
The following information is based on the latest hypertension guidelines published by the JNC VI (the American authority on blood pressure treatment). To determine how often you should check your blood pressure, find your most recent blood pressure reading. Locate the ranges your systolic and diastolic numbers fall into. Follow the recommended follow-up for the reading (systolic or diastolic) that makes you re-check sooner.
- Systolic less than 130 and diastolic less than 85, recheck in 2 years.
- Systolic between 130-139 or diastolic 85-89, then recheck in 1 year.
- Systolic between 140-159 or diastolic 90-99, then confirm within 2 months at your doctor's office.
- Systolic between 160-179 or diastolic 100-109, then go to your doctor's office within a month for treatment.
- Systolic 180 or more or diastolic 100 or more, then call your doctor immediately.
If you have a systolic reading greater than 140 or a diastolic reading greater than 90, you should call your family practice doctor within a week to schedule an appointment for a blood pressure check. This is especially important if you have other diseases or risk factors, such as diabetes or heart disease, that make high blood pressure more dangerous for you.
Individuals already diagnosed with high blood pressure should check themselves much more frequently and follow their physician's recommendations. Typically, daily monitoring is suggested until the blood pressure remains constant for several weeks. Then, weekly blood pressure checks are all that is needed.
The most accurate blood pressure cuffs use mercury, but this is not practical for home use. Validated electronic cuffs and aneroid sphygmomanometers (blood pressure cuffs) have proven accurate in studies. Both can be purchased at local drugstores. Finger monitors are inaccurate and should not be bought. If you buy a blood pressure cuff, take it with you to the doctor's office and compare its readings to the more accurate mercury sphygmomanometer. Purchasing a blood pressure cuff is unnecessary, if you know the location of a public blood pressure machine. These are commonly found in pharmacies and grocery stores for free use of patrons.
High blood pressure is a leading cause of heart attacks, strokes, and many other diseases. Take care of yourself, exercise, eat healthy foods, and monitor your blood pressure.
Have a question for Terri? Click here.
Copyright 2002, Terri L. Pilcher. All Rights Reserved. Used by permission.
THE CONTENT OF THE "I WISH I'D ASKED MY DOCTOR" COLUMN IS PRESENTED IN SUMMARY FORM, IS GENERAL IN NATURE, AND IS PROVIDED FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY. THE CONTENT IS NOT INTENDED IN ANY WAY TO BE A SUBSTITUTE FOR FACE-TO-FACE, IN-PERSON, PROFESSIONAL, MEDICAL, PSYCHIATRIC, OR PHARMACEUTICAL HEALTH CARE ADVICE. ALWAYS SEEK THE ADVICE OF YOUR PHYSICIAN OR OTHER QUALIFIED HEALTH CARE PROVIDER WITH ANY QUESTIONS YOU MAY HAVE REGARDING A MEDICAL CONDITION, HEALTH DIAGNOSIS, OR TREATMENT. NEVER DISREGARD MEDICAL ADVICE OR DELAY IN SEEKING IT BECAUSE OF SOMETHING YOU HAVE READ IN THE "I WISH I'D ASKED MY DOCTOR…" COLUMN. Please read our full legal notice.
| About Terri L. Pilcher: Terri L. Pilcher, MSHS, PA-C is a physician assistant with a Masters of Science in Health Sciences. She has worked in the fields of family practice medicine and occupational health. Her articles have appeared in Physician Assistant and JAAPA. Currently, she stays home with her daughters and writes. Contact her at AskthePA@prodigy.net. |
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