Guidelines & Benefits
Hypertension is a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. It is a silent killer, often patients are asymptomatic and when symptomatic it may be too late to revert the progress of the disease process. Increased blood pressure may be the leading cause of death globally.
Most guidelines recommend that when a person’s systolic blood pressure(SBP) ≥140mm Hg and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) ≥90mm Hg then the condition is termed as hypertension. However, in patients with diabetes and kidney disease this value is even lower than mentioned above. Accuracy and reproducibility of blood pressure measurement by reliable and authentic blood pressure devices is an important clinical skill, which every physician should acquire. The correct diagnosis of hypertension is based on proper measurement of blood pressure.
Patients with hypertension are often asymptomatic and disease progresses so much that complications slowly and silently develop like stroke, heart failure, coronary disease and sudden death. Hence, every effort should be made to protect people at large by creating awareness of hypertension, educating them, and training them in taking home blood pressure measurement (HBPM).
GUIDELINES FOR HOME BLOOD MONITORING MEASUREMENT
Checking Blood pressure yourself at home is the first important step in managing home blood pressure, which will help to raise your confidence and awareness and help you consult your doctor at an early stage .
- Thirty minutes before taking home blood pressure, avoid Tea, coffee , smoking , tobacco, alcohol, food, physical exercise and medications.
- Sit 5 minutes in an upright chair quietly with feet flat on the floor before measuring blood pressure.
Blood pressure should be taken twice daily. Two reading should be taken with a gap of 3-5 minutes.
WHAT IS THE BENEFIT OF HOME BLOOD PRESSURE MONITORING?
It is inexpensive to monitor blood pressure at home especially before and after changing the medicines. It helps to confirm the smooth control of blood pressure with therapy. In older people and in diabetes and kidney diseases where blood pressure variability and fluctuation is very high, close self monitoring is important. Home blood pressure is also helpful in pregnancy for early detection of pre-eclampsia (one of the complications of pregnancy).
Hence, it is recommended that HBPM should become a routine component of blood pressure measurement in the majority of patients with known or suspected hypertension.
━═────────────────────────────────═━
Dr. KHURSHEED IMAM KAZMI
MBBS, MD (Medicine), DNB (Neurology)
Consultant Neurologist, Neo Hospital. Sector 50, Noida
Dr. SARWAT FATMA
MBBS, DNB(Pathology)