Solely relying on your first blood pressure reading may lead to an inaccurate diagnosis because it's usually higher than the second reading. Your doctor or nurse should take more than one reading and compare the results for better accuracy.
Q. When I am monitoring my blood pressure, which number is most important — top, bottom, or both? A. While both numbers in a blood pressure reading are essential for diagnosing and treating high blood pressure, doctors primarily focus on the top number, also known as systolic pressure.
At each sitting, measure your blood pressure three times, but discard the first reading as it tends to be inaccurate. Write down the average of the second and third reading. Bringing your latest readings to an appointment helps give your doctor a good idea of what your blood pressure is outside of the office.
Systolic pressure (the first number in a blood pressure reading) measures the force with which the heart pumps blood into the arteries. Diastolic pressure (the second, lower number) reflects the pressure in the arteries when the heart rests between beats.
Recent home BP guidelines have stated that the average of the first and second readings should be used for clinical practice [13,14], but taking the average SBP of the second and third readings may best predict the awake SBP [20].
When it comes to blood pressure, one reading may not be enough. Forty-six percent of Americans have high blood pressure, but studies show when it's taken twice at your doctor's office - with at least one minute in between - the second reading is typically lower and a more accurate measurement.
The likelihood of a normal second reading depended on the degree of elevation in the first reading. For example, among patients with initial systolic BPs of 140 to 159 mm Hg, roughly 41% dropped to <140 mm Hg on second readings, compared with only about 13% of those with initial systolic BPs of 160 to 180 mm Hg.
If you are seeing regular fluctuations in your blood pressure readings, you're not alone. Some variation in your blood pressure throughout the day is normal. In fact, there are a number of reasons for this including small changes in daily life, such as stress, exercise or even how well you slept the night before.
Blood pressure has a daily pattern. Usually, blood pressure starts to rise a few hours before a person wakes up. It continues to rise during the day, peaking in midday. Blood pressure typically drops in the late afternoon and evening.
Blood pressure changes throughout the day. Your blood pressure is typically at its lowest right after waking up. It tends to vary by up to 30% across the day. This is because of hormone changes, activity level, and eating.
What Causes Morning Blood Pressure? Blood pressure increases when we first wake up due to the body's normal circadian rhythm. Circadian rhythm is a 24-hour cycle that affects our sleep/wake patterns. In the morning, the body releases hormones such as adrenaline and noradrenaline.
Isolated systolic hypertension can be caused by conditions such as: Artery stiffness. An overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism) Diabetes.
This is the force of blood on the artery walls between heartbeats. If the top number stays high, or the bottom number stays high, or both, that means you have high blood pressure (hypertension). It's normal for blood pressure to go up and down throughout the day.
Most studies show a greater risk of cardiovascular disease (especially strokes) related to high systolic pressure as opposed to elevated diastolic pressure.
Secondary hypertension is caused by specific conditions and their complications: Kidney disease. Congenital heart defects. Congenital defects in blood vessels.
Your health care provider might recommend taking your blood pressure at the same times each day. Don't measure your blood pressure right after you wake up. You can prepare for the day, but don't eat breakfast or take medications before measuring your blood pressure.
Blood Pressure Cuff Placement
If the cuff is too small, it can add 2 to 10 points to your bp measurement. Be sure to roll up your sleeve for a blood pressure test and also let your doctor know if the cuff feels too tight around your arm.
Practice stress relief
For example, breathe deeply and exhale slowly. Try a few of these breaths before your blood pressure reading. Reciting a poem or verse in your mind may help you relax, too.
Measure your blood pressure twice daily. The first measurement should be in the morning before eating or taking any medications, and the second in the evening. Each time you measure, take two or three readings to make sure your results are accurate.
Take your blood pressure at the same time every day. Take at least two readings, 1 or 2 minutes apart.
Everyone's blood pressure rises and falls many times during the course of a single day, sometimes even within minutes. Many factors contribute to these changes, including physical activity, emotion, body position, diet (especially salt and alcohol intake), and sleep deprivation.
Blood pressure changes naturally many times a day. Most changes are normal and predictable. When these spikes and valleys in your blood pressure occur, you may not experience unusual signs or symptoms. These fluctuations may be brief and fleeting.
Taking your blood pressure at home can help doctors see the trend. “But I caution patients not to take it every five minutes, which can happen if they are concerned about high readings. That becomes a bad cycle. Do it intermittently—once or twice a week,” she said.
In the US, 47% of adults suffer from hypertension (higher than normal blood pressure). ¹ While blood pressure can fluctuate throughout the day, a long-term increase can lead to serious health problems, including strokes and heart disease. Temporary blood pressure spikes aren't always a cause for concern.
Systolic blood pressure is the best way to predict future cardiovascular events and death, irrespective of age, according to new research. But in younger people, diastolic blood pressure could still be important.