How to take your blood pressure?

When you go to the doctor, there is an essential step during the examination:taking your blood pressure. Why should we measure it and what does it correspond to? We tell you a little more about this very important constant at all ages.

What is blood pressure?

Blood pressure is the pressure exerted by blood on the walls of our arteries. Indeed, to send blood into the arteries, the heart contracts (systole), then relaxes to fill up again (diastole). In order for the blood to circulate well and reach all the organs, the arteries must also dilate and retract to accompany the blood flow. Good blood pressure is therefore essential for the whole body to be well irrigated and to function properly.

It is therefore essential to check the blood pressure regularly by measuring it. This checks that the blood is circulating properly between the organs. If everyone must check their blood pressure, certain profiles must be particularly monitored, in particular the elderly or people with chronic illnesses. This will help detect abnormal blood pressure and in particular two cases that can be risky:hypertension and hypotension.

The different measures of blood pressure

• Normal voltage :normal blood pressure is considered to be a measurement around 120/80 mmHg. This means that the arteries are contracting and dilating properly to allow blood to pass.
• Hypertension :Blood pressure is too high and is above 140/90 mmHg. Among the factors that can aggravate hypertension is age. 40% of people over the age of 65 are prone to it, and the figure increases to 90% by the age of 85[1].

Risks :it can cause cardiovascular complications such as heart attack, stroke, or even kidney failure. It is also responsible for 51% of strokes worldwide.

• Low blood pressure :also called drop in blood pressure or low blood pressure, hypotension is characterized by too low blood pressure, located below the figure 90/60 mmHg. It can be due to taking certain medications, dehydration or neurological problems. It is also to be watched.

Risks :people with hypotension may experience nausea, dizziness, or even blurred vision. These symptoms can lead to falls or accidents. You should also know that too low a blood pressure means that the organs, including the brain, do not receive sufficient blood flow. So they will have trouble working normally.

Think about teleconsultation

If you have any questions about your health and in particular your blood pressure, its measurement and its consequences, you can use a teleconsultation practical to save you having to travel and with the advantage of having direct access to a doctor 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

How to take your blood pressure? Rules to follow

For the measurement of blood pressure to be meaningful, it must be taken correctly. What are the steps to follow? Who can measure the voltage? We tell you everything.

Who is authorized to take blood pressure?

• The attending physician :during your appointments with the doctor, he will check your blood pressure using a blood pressure monitor, manual or electric.
• Self :you can perfectly take your measurements directly at home. You can use a commercial blood pressure monitor. Your doctor may also recommend an ABPM (ambulatory blood pressure monitor), which should be worn for 24 hours and automatically takes blood pressure every 15 minutes. It is also possible to take your blood pressure at the pharmacy, which often has self-service devices.

Using your smartphone to measure your blood pressure

Blood pressure monitors available to the general public are often paired with mobile apps to help read and interpret results. There are also applications available on smartphones, such as Smart BP , or Blood Pressure .

How to make a good voltage measurement?

Have you bought a blood pressure monitor to measure your blood pressure at home? Here's how to do it right:

• The right device :we recommend an arm blood pressure monitor, which will be easier to place and therefore more accurate, than a wrist model.
• The right position :Sit comfortably in a quiet chair for at least 5 minutes.
• Make multiple measurements :start by taking 3 measures spaced one to two minutes apart in the morning on an empty stomach, repeat in the evening before going to bed, and this 3 days in a row.
• Note the results :all these measurements must be noted in order to be able to communicate them to the doctor.

What are the signs of poor blood pressure?

In addition to the blood pressure measurement, there are symptoms to look out for that could indicate abnormal pressure:

• Headaches,
• Aural ringing sensations,
• Vision disorders,
• Dizziness,
• Palpitations/tachycardia,
• Hematuria (presence of blood in the urine.

If you detect one or more of these signs, consult a health professional as soon as possible who can make a diagnosis accordingly.

What to do in case of hypertension or hypotension?

In the most serious cases, it will be necessary to follow a drug treatment to restore normal blood pressure. However, several good habits can also help:

• Practice a sporting activity:yoga, walking, cycling, dancing... It's up to you.
• Be careful with your diet:Avoid saturated fats and other artery-damaging ingredients. Choose fish, fruits and vegetables, or whole grains.
• Take care of your sleep:sleep at least 7 or 8 hours a night, go to bed at the same time for your biological clock, and sleep in a room around 18°, the ideal temperature for quality sleep.

Blood pressure is a very important constant for assessing your health, especially with age. You can measure it at the doctor's, but also at home, to check that everything is fine, and in particular that your organs are receiving enough blood.

https://www.fedecardio.org/Je-m-informe/Le-coeur/la-tension-arterielle?gclid=Cj0KCQjwsqmEBhDiARIsANV8H3bTtHWWR4-a2dp3zmztty3aAmp70DGtteJ8ALicivreT9CGLxO0TxIaAtKEEALw_wcB

https://www.federationdesdiabetiques.org/information/risques/hypertension-diabete?gclid=Cj0KCQjwsqmEBhDiARIsANV8H3a2gmGnn02GeK0ocfVFFIl4u7QbITPEuvYDH2D-h20H9tousNcYDLYaAjHOEALw_wcB

https://www.ameli.fr/assure/sante/bons-gestes/petits-soins/prendre-tension-arterielle-domicile#:~:text=La%20tension%20art%C3%A9rielle%20(TA)% 20corresponds,more%20often)%20or%20at%20you.

[1] Federation of Diabetics