Definition of blood pressure
There are systolic and diastolic blood pressure. When the heart is in systole, the arterial blood pressure rises to its highest value, called systolic blood pressure; when the heart is in diastole, the arterial blood pressure falls to its lowest point, called diastolic blood pressure.
Equipment for measuring blood pressure
Mercury sphygmomanometers, and tabletop sphygmomanometers and electronic sphygmomanometers are commonly used to measure blood pressure.To measure blood pressure at home, it is recommended to choose electronic sphygmomanometers.
Factors affecting blood pressure
Precautions for measuring blood pressure
1. Do not drink alcohol, coffee or smoke for half an hour before taking your blood pressure. Be calm, empty your bowels, and do not eat again.
2. Rest calmly for 15 minutes before taking your blood pressure.
3. The sphygmomanometer should be at the same level as the heart.
4. Avoid putting pressure on the arm with the cuff. A proper tightness should be maintained between the cuff of the sphygmomanometer and the anterior humeral artery.
5. The sphygmomanometer's air sac should be completely evacuated.
Measure blood pressure at least two to three times a day.
There are two peak periods of blood pressure each day.
Most people have a distinct circadian rhythm to their blood pressure, meaning that it is high during the day when they are active and low at night after they go to bed.
There are generally two peak periods for blood pressure during the day, from 6-10 p.m. and from 4-8 p.m.
Therefore, by measuring blood pressure during these two hours, the highest blood pressure point of the day can be seen.
The highest blood pressure values throughout the day are mostly during these two hours, then gradually drop to the lowest value throughout the day, the second low point, at 1:00-2:00 am, and finally gradually rise to the first visit the next day.
The difference between high blood pressure during the day and low blood pressure at night is related to the body clock and is the result of a combination of neurological, humoral, and endocrine regulation. When the body clock changes, blood pressure also changes, such as nurses, workers, and shift workers who work night shifts, and whose peak blood pressure may occur at night.Take your blood pressure at home and keep a good time, not too short intervals.
The significance of the application of peak blood pressure time.
1. In order to understand a person's blood pressure, it is necessary to choose two peak periods to measure the body's blood pressure.
2. Three consecutive measurements should be taken during the peak blood pressure period and averaged. Hypertension can only be diagnosed when the systolic blood pressure is greater than or equal to 140 mmHg or the diastolic blood pressure is greater than or equal to 90 mmHg; measuring blood pressure at times far from the peak period may lead to a missed diagnosis of hypertension.
3. Measure blood pressure at the same peak times each day and compare the levels. If you measure blood pressure in the morning on one day and in the afternoon on another day, it is difficult to make comparisons.
4. Use antihypertensive medication before the peak blood pressure time to get a handle on the effectiveness of short-, medium-, and long-acting agents in lowering blood pressure. Conversely, there is no point in using the medication.
When you take your own blood pressure measurements at home, record your daily measurements for a week or so to find the right time to take your medication, and these records can be more accurate for your doctor to diagnose your condition.
In addition, it is necessary to find out the daily peak time of blood pressure, find out the pattern of blood pressure changes, and take appropriate treatment.