How to Do an Assessment of Hypertension

Hypertension or high blood pressure occurs when your systolic and diastolic numbers are consistently high. The systolic number measures your blood pressure as your heart is pumping blood. The diastolic number measures your blood pressure as your heart rests between contractions. The units to measure your blood pressure are mmHg, or millimeters of mercury. To initially assess whether you have hypertension, your physician will ask you if you have a family history of high blood pressure and conduct an exam, as well as have you record your blood pressure with a blood pressure monitor.

Things You'll Need

• Blood pressure monitor
• Journal

Show More

Instructions

Monitoring Blood Pressure

• 1

  Though hypertension may not present any signs, see a physician if you develop symptoms of hypertension, such as headaches, dizziness or when you have a family history of high blood pressure. Allow your physician to conduct a blood-pressure reading. A normal reading should be no higher than 139 mmHg over 89 mmHg.

• 2

  You will need to see your physician for additional visits if your initial visit concluded that your blood-pressure reading was high. This is to ensure that your readings are consistently high before your physician will confirm a diagnosis of hypertension.

• 3

  Record your blood-pressure readings in a journal at home during different times of the day to possibly uncover a condition know as white-coat hypertension. According to the Mayo Clinic, white-coat hypertension occurs when blood pressure readings are higher in a clinical setting in comparison to blood pressure readings done at home.

• 4

  Monitor for signs of masked hypertension. Masked hypertension occurs when your readings may be normal at your physician's office, but readings elevate when taken at home. It is necessary for you to give your physician your journal to help him assess the severity of your hypertension (prehypertension to severe hypertension).

• 5

  Undergo any further tests as required by your physician. Such tests may include a urinalysis, possible blood tests and an electrocardiogram to measure your heart's activity.