17 May 2022 is World Hypertension Day

The theme this year is “Measure Your Blood Pressure Accurately, Control It, Live Longer”.

Measuring your blood pressure is the only way to know whether you have high blood pressure.  High blood pressure usually has no warning signs or symptoms, and many people do not know they have it.

Follow your doctor’s suggested schedule.  Do this at the same time each day under the same conditions.  Normally, measure twice a day.

• Morning: before taking medications and eating.
• Evening: before going to bed, bathing or taking medication.

• Do not smoke, eat, exercise, or drink caffeinated beverages or alcohol at least 30 minutes prior to the measurement.
• Empty your bladder before measuring your blood pressure.
• Take a short rest and sit calmly in a quiet environment for 5 minutes before measuring.

• Do not speak.
• Remove thick clothing and roll your sleeve down. Always place the cuff on your bare arm.
• Place the cuff on your upper arm, above the elbow, and then secure the cuff tightly, but not too tight. The inflatable part of the cuff should completely cover at least 80% of your upper arm.

Tip: The cuff Fit Check feature on Microlife’s blood pressure monitors indicates whether the cuff is sufficiently tight to ensure measurement accuracy.

• Your arm should be supported on a flat surface (such as a table) with the upper arm and cuff at heart level. Make sure the bottom of the cuff is placed directly above the bend of the elbow.
• Sit up straight, legs uncrossed, feet flat on the floor with the measuring arm and back fully supported.
• Refrain from talking and moving during measurement.
• Press the “ON” button to start measuring.
• Measure your blood pressure twice, with a brief break in between (1-2 minutes). If the readings are different by 5 points or more, repeat it a third time.

Write down your blood pressure readings keeping a complete record of your results.

Tip: Microlife blood pressure monitors have a built-in memory to store your readings for long-term monitoring of blood pressure levels and average display of all stored measurements.  Some monitors also allow you to upload your readings to a secure website after you register your profile.

One blood pressure measurement is like a snapshot.  It only tells what your blood pressure is at that moment.  A record of readings taken over time provides a better picture of your blood pressure that can help you partner with your medical practitioner to ensure that your treatments to lower high blood pressure (or hypertension) are working.