【Health Lecture】How to measure blood pressure at home

In order to ensure the popularization effect of learning health knowledge in the "2024 China Senior Health Knowledge Competition", the organizer has collected various health science articles suitable for the elderly to learn from various hospitals, and we will share them through the "Health Lecture" column. Today, Mr. Shu Chengming from the Ciqikou Community Health Service Center in Shapingba District, Chongqing City, brought "How to Self-Measure Blood Pressure at Home", and welcomes elderly friends to learn. In recent years, electronic blood pressure monitors for home use have been widely popularized. Not only patients with hypertension, but also many ordinary people who do not have clear hypertension will self-measure their blood pressure at home. On the one hand, you can understand your blood pressure level, and on the other hand, you can bring the measurement results to the doctor for the doctor to use to evaluate blood pressure control or adjust the treatment plan. However, most people have not received professional training, resulting in great differences in the results of self-measurement of blood pressure at home, and the measurement quality is also uneven. Therefore, it is very important to correctly conduct self-measurement of blood pressure at home, and the following points need special attention:

1. Selection of sphygmomanometers For home use, it is recommended to use a verified upper arm electronic sphygmomanometer (sphygmomanometer). Wrist sphygmomanometers are generally not recommended. In special cases, such as in cold areas where it is inconvenient to expose the upper arm or obese people who do not have a suitable cuff, a verified wrist sphygmomanometer can be used. Finger sphygmomanometers and desktop mercury sphygmomanometers are not recommended for home blood pressure monitoring. Electronic sphygmomanometers should be calibrated regularly during use, at least once a year.

2. Cuff selection At present, most electronic blood pressure monitors are equipped with standard cuffs suitable for most people (upper arm circumference <32cm) and large cuffs for people with larger upper arm circumference (upper arm circumference ≥32cm). If measuring blood pressure for children, adolescents or other people with thin upper arms, a small cuff should be selected.

3. Precautions when measuring blood pressure ① Placement of the cuff: expel all the air in the cuff and place it flatly in the middle of the upper arm, with the lower edge 2 to 3 cm away from the elbow, and the tightness should be such that a finger can be inserted. ② For those who need to continuously monitor blood pressure, four things should be done: fixed time, fixed body position, fixed site, and fixed blood pressure monitor.

4. When and how often to measure blood pressure ① Measure within 1 hour after getting up in the morning or before going to bed at night. In the morning, measure blood pressure in a sitting position before taking antihypertensive drugs, before breakfast, and after urinating. ② Measure every morning and evening, after resting for 5 minutes each time, measure 2-3 times, with an interval of 1 minute. For those with stable blood pressure control, blood pressure can be measured 1-2 days a week.

5. Record the measured values. The date, time, systolic pressure, diastolic pressure and pulse of each blood pressure measurement. Mark any abnormal conditions (drinking, nervousness, anxiety, insomnia). The table is as follows:

6. Standards for self-measured blood pressure The standard for self-measured blood pressure at home is generally systolic pressure <135mmHg, diastolic pressure <85mmHg. If the value reaches or exceeds this value, it is recommended to consult a doctor. References: [1] "2019 China Family Blood Pressure Monitoring Guidelines" [2] "2023 China Hypertension Prevention and Treatment Guidelines" Author: Shu Chengming

Image: Qianku.com

About the Author

Shu Chengming, a member of the Communist Party of China, is an attending physician, a health manager, and the director of the general medicine department of the Ciqikou Community Health Service Center in Shapingba District, Chongqing.
**Part-time social work: **Member of the Science Popularization and Health Education Working Committee of the China Medical Education Association, Member of the Family Doctor Branch of the China Association of Geriatric Care, Member of the General Practitioner Branch of the Chongqing Medical Association, Member of the General Practitioner Professional Committee of the Chongqing Community and Rural Health Association, Member of the Chronic Disease and Health Management Committee of the Chongqing Association of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine. **Honors: **Advanced Worker of Chongqing, Winner of the Chongqing May 1st Labor Medal, Key Talent of Grassroots Hospital Disciplines in the "Thousand Talents Plan for Grassroots Health Talent Training" of the Chinese Medical Association, "Chief COPD Management Doctor" of Grassroots General Practitioners of the West China-Community Alliance. Won the title of "Top Ten Family Doctor Teams in Shapingba District, Chongqing, the Most Beautiful Medical Worker in the High-tech Zone, the Second Moss Flower Award for 2023 Grassroots Medical and Health Youth Pioneers, and the Third Grassroots Young and Middle-aged Respiratory Doctor Elite List (Grassroots Elite)". Won the "First Prize for the Chongqing High-tech Zone Family Doctor Skills Competition Team and Individual, the Chongqing Family Doctor Skills Competition Team and Individual Excellence Award, and the Sixth Zhixiang Respiratory Knowledge Competition National Winner".