How important is regular blood pressure checking?
High blood pressure is currently one of the prevenible risk factors for cardiovascular disease, the leading cause of death in many countries. Not only does it damage the heart, high blood pressure is also associated with stroke, kidney failure, memory loss and cognitive decline.
According to the new guidelines of the American Heart Association (AHA), adults are recommended to know their blood pressure level, in which 120/80 mmHg is considered normal. However, nearly half of adults have higher indexes without knowing it.
Dr. Daniel W. Jones, Chairman of the AHA Guidance Drafting Committee, emphasized: Measuring blood pressure at home is an important part of disease control. It helps patients proactively detect changes and communicate promptly with doctors".
He recommends that people with high blood pressure should measure their blood pressure at home two to three times a week. For patients who have just been diagnosed or have just adjusted their medication, the doctor may require daily measurement to monitor treatment reactions.
Choose the right machine, measure according to standards and know when to report to the doctor
Dr. Jones said that measuring devices are equally important. He warned patients not to buy arbitrary measuring devices because the accuracy is very different. Medical associations have a public list of inspected devices. Patients should choose to follow this list for peace of mind," he said.
After purchase, patients should bring the device to the clinic every few months so that the doctor can compare the results with the specialized device. This helps ensure stable operation of the machine at home.
An important reason why home measurements are highly appreciated is the psychological stress of meeting a doctor, causing a fake increase in blood pressure. When the patient measures in a familiar environment, the results are often more accurate.
Dr. Jones recommends: if the index reaches 180/120 mmHg, patients need to contact a doctor immediately. If accompanied by chest pain or shortness of breath, call an emergency because it may be a sign of a stroke or myocardial infarction.
He also instructed the patient: If the index is slightly higher than normal for one to two days, record it and report it to the doctor. Continuous monitoring helps us decide whether we need to adjust drugs or not."
