Which arm to check your blood pressure on? Step-by-step guide for correct measurement at home
A lack of proper knowledge about the process often results in inaccurate readings.
A lack of proper knowledge about the process often results in inaccurate readings.
A lack of proper knowledge about the process often results in inaccurate readings.
Monitoring blood pressure regularly is crucial in detecting health issues such as hypertension at an early stage. If left unnoticed, high blood pressure can lead to serious complications like stroke or heart attack. This is why many people are now advised to check their blood pressure at home. However, a lack of proper knowledge about the process often results in inaccurate readings. According to Harvard Health, the reading on your right arm can be a bit higher than that on your left arm. Moreover, a correct measure isn't arrived at with a single reading either. Here's how to check your blood pressure at home for the most accurate reading.
What is a normal BP?
A normal blood pressure reading can vary by age group, according to many health portals. However, the Cleveland Clinic says that for all adults, regardless of sex, a normal blood pressure category would be less than 120/80 mm Hg(millimetres of mercury). It also says that what is ideal can still vary from individual to individual, as certain medicines or diseases can alter what your ideal BP should be. Your doctor can help you arrive at the right BP goal for you. Before checking BP at home, also ensure that you know how to operate your home BP monitor correctly and whether there are any differences in how it reads the measurements as compared to other products in the market.