High blood pressure, as a common chronic disease, is known as the “silent killer”. Self-pressure monitoring is an important component of hypertension management, which helps patients to keep abreast of blood pressure changes and provides a basis for adjusting treatment programmes to effectively prevent cardiovascular complications.
First, the choice of a suitable sphygmomanometer is essential. Common sphygmomanometers are electronic sphygmomanometers and mercury sphygmomanometers. Electronic sphygmomanometers are simple and the measurements are more accurate and suitable for domestic use. For the purchase of electronic sphygmomanometers, the cuff size of a certified formal product is appropriate for the upper arm of the user, which generally covers at least 80 per cent of the upper arm’s diameter.
There’s a good time for blood pressure measurement. Generally, measurements are made within one hour of the morning ‘ s rise, after urination and before breakfast (before the depressurizer), during which blood pressure reflects the basic blood pressure level of the patient. Measurements should also be made at night before sleeping, which helps to understand how blood pressure fluctuates during the day. For the first diagnosis of patients suffering from hypertension or blood pressure instability, it is recommended that continuous measurements be made for seven days each morning and evening; once blood pressure has stabilized, they can be measured 1-2 times a week.
Pre-measurement preparations cannot be ignored. Patients should rest in a quiet and comfortable environment for 5-10 minutes, avoiding intense physical activity, emotional excitement, smoking, coffee or tea. The measurements are made by sitting in a chair with a back, with two feet flat on the ground, relaxing, talking, and not crossing legs.
During the measurement, the arm should be in the correct position. The upper arm shall be bare, stretched out and slightly extended, and the centre of the sphygmomanometer cuff belt shall be on the same horizontal line as the heart, and generally the cuffband shall be tied to the top of the cylindrical pulse at a point of 2 – 3 cm and the lower edge of the cuffband shall be above the elbow nest at 2 – 3 cm. Measured blood pressure as described in the sphygmomanometer. During the measurement, keep quiet and do not move arms or bodies.
Recording blood pressure values is also a key step. Information on the date, time, constriction, constriction and heart rate of measurements shall be recorded. Special blood pressure records can be prepared either as a record or by using a mobile phone application. By recording blood pressure values over a long period of time, patients can clearly see their blood pressure trends, which can be very useful for doctors to determine their condition and adjust their treatment programmes.
In addition to regular blood pressure monitoring, there is a need for timely blood pressure measurements in certain exceptional cases. For example, in cases of headaches, dizziness, heart palpitation, chest suffocation; in cases of high emotional volatility, overwork, apparent temperature change; and after adjusting the dose or type of pressure relief drug, blood pressure is measured in time to understand the changes in blood pressure and to take appropriate measures.
High blood pressure patients are expected to focus on self-pressure monitoring, have the right monitoring methods and develop good monitoring habits. Through self-monitoring, patients are able to participate more proactively in the management of hypertension, working closely with doctors, to keep blood pressure within the desired limits, to reduce health risks from hypertension, to improve the quality of life and to enjoy a healthy life.
The constant availability of a more accurate sphygmomanometer at home helps us to know more accurately about our blood pressure and to return to the hospital on a regular basis in order to provide the doctor with accurate dynamic blood pressure and to facilitate further rational drug control.
