Importance of Blood Pressure Taking

High blood pressure, or hypertension, is a silent killer. Elevated blood pressure levels--which are linked to stroke, heart attack, congestive heart failure, kidney and eye damage--can sneak up on you when you least expect it. Monitor your blood pressure by getting it checked once a year at your physical or purchase a system to use at home.

History

• The history of measuring blood pressure began in 1733 by Reverend Stephen Hales. He observed blood pressure in animals by using an invasive measure that was unsuitable for humans or to use in a clinical setting.

  In 1855, Karl Vierordt discovered that the arterial pulse could be stopped temporarily and then released by placing an inflatable cuff on the upper arm. (see reference 1)

  Typically, early doctors listened to chest sounds by laying their head on their patient's chest. A young, inexperienced doctor named Rene Laennec had a particularly buxom woman as his patient. He didn't wish to embarrass the patient or himself by laying his head on her chest, so he constructed a long paper tube, and found he could hear just as well with it. Thus, the invention of the stethoscope.

Function

• Blood pressure is the pushing of blood against the walls of the arteries. The systolic pressure is when your heart is pumping the blood. The diastolic pressure is when your heart is resting between the beats.

Significance

• Taking your blood pressure regularly is one way to measure your cardiovascular health.

  According to the lifeclinic.com website, normal blood pressures are typically around 120 over 80. The systolic reading is the top number; the diastolic reading is the bottom number. A pre-hypertensive state is indicated when your pressure is 120 to 139 over 80 to 89. You have high blood pressure when the reading is 140 to 159 over 90 to 99.

  This is Stage 1 hypertension. Stage 2 high blood pressure readings are 160 or higher over 100 or higher. (See reference 2)

  Having a high blood pressure reading does not necessarily mean that you have hypertension. Elevated readings can occur when your immune system is low due to an infection or illness or they could be a result of a busy, stressful day.

Symptoms

• Sadly, there are no definitive symptoms of high blood pressure. They can be as vague as having trouble sleeping, emotional upsets or dry mouth. Being red in the face when you are angry or upset is not a true sign of high blood pressure.

  Most patients report that their most common symptom is headache. This is simply not true; people with high blood pressure do not have headaches more often than those without. (see reference 3)

  People who know about their high blood pressure should see a doctor as often as advised by their health care provider. Feeling just fine does not mean your pressure is at a normal level.

Home Blood Pressure Kits

• There are two different types of recommended blood pressure monitors, aneroid and digital. The finger or wrist monitors are typically not very accurate.

  The aneroid monitor has a dial gauge; you check your readings by looking at a pointer. The cuff is inflated by hand. This portable monitor has a built-in stethoscope. It usually runs around $20 to $30. This is not the best choice for people who are hearing impaired as you measure the reading by listening to the heart sounds.

  The digital blood pressure monitor can have either manual or automatic cuffs. The blood pressure reading flashes on a digital screen. These machines are easy to read, and you can make a paper printout to keep a record of your readings for your doctor. The deflation of the cuff is automatic. These are made for use on the left arm only. They range in price from $30 to $100.

Prevention

• Eating a healthy diet, exercising regularly, managing stress, avoiding fatty and high cholesterol foods and avoiding too much caffeine are all good ways to avoid high blood pressure.

  If you have been diagnosed with hypertension you must check your blood pressure regularly and take any medications prescribed by your doctor faithfully. Many grocery stores, pharmacies and discount stores have blood pressure kiosks where you can take your blood pressure free of charge.