2019-02-01_Diabetic_Living

Remake

18 DI A BETIC LI V ING / SPR ING 2019

Having your blood pressure

measured is routine business:

sit down, put your arm out,

and wait. But did you know

that little details—talking

with the nurse or sitting with

your back unsupported—can

skew a reading by up to 25

mmHg? In fact, adopting a

few “good habits” when you

go in for a blood pressure

reading could help you see

more accurate numbers.

“When blood pressure is

taken the right way, readings

tend to be lower by as much

as 10-15 mmHg,” says Law-

rence Fine, M.D., Dr.P.H.,

chief of the Clinical Applica-

tion and Prevention Branch

of the National Heart, Lung,

and Blood Institute. When

the difference between nor-

mal and Stage 1 high blood

pressure is just 11 mmHg, ac-

curate measures are key. Next

time you go to your doctor’s

office, try the above tips.

The best thing to do if you’re

concerned about a reading

is to be open with your pro-

vider, says Seth Shay Martin,

M.D., an associate professor

in the division of cardiology

at Johns Hopkins Medicine.

Ask them to help you follow

these tips. And if you’re

anxious or your numbers

concern you, say “I would

really love to get more data to

see if this reflects my average

blood pressure,” suggests

Martin. To get the most data,

talk with your doctor about

at-home blood pressure

monitoring. Ask your phar-

macist or doctor for monitor

recommendations, and look

for a validated blood pressure

monitor with an arm cuff like

the Omron 3 Series model

($50, omronhealthcare.com).

At home, follow the same

tips as above, and bring the

monitor with you to your

next appointment.

THINK SMALL SPEAK UP

Uncross

your legs

Place your feet

flat on the ground

or on a stool

Under Pressure

How to get the most accurate blood pressure readings

at your doctor’s office and at home.

BY MICAELA YOUNG, M.S.

Arrive early to

your appointment

Go to the

bathroom first

Sit in a chair with

back support

Avoid small talk

during the reading

Rest for 5 minutes

before the reading

Support your

arm on a table,

desk, or armrest

so the cuff is at

heart level

Ask that the cuff

be placed on your

bare arm

How you sit and what

you do before & during a

blood pressure reading

can affect your numbers by

up to 25 mmHg.

T.M. DETWILER