STRIDE BP – A new international expert organisation will help you chose the right home blood pressure monitor for you

High blood pressure (BP) or hypertension, is a major risk factor for heart disease and stroke. Left untreated it can cause you to have a heart attack or debilitating stroke, it can also increase your risk of developing dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease in later life.

Therefore, it is vital that if you suffer from high blood pressure and are thinking of purchasing a BP monitor to measure your blood pressure at home, that you select the right device.

With so many different devices available it can be confusing to know which is the best home BP monitor for you. The good news is that an international non-profit organization STRIDE-BP has been recently established with the mission to improve the accuracy of BP measurement and the diagnosis of high blood pressure.

Check out the link to their website here, which provides a list of recommended and tested devices approved for home use. 

Please remember that your home monitor will need to be re-calibrated every one to two years, please check the manufacturer guidelines for information on this.

A healthy blood pressure

Two numbers are used to measure the level of your blood pressure. One number records blood pressure when the pressure is at its highest i.e. as the heart muscle squeezes the blood out of your heart – this is called systolic pressure.

Then, the other number is when your heart relaxes i.e. allows the blood to flow back into the heart – this is called diastolic pressure.

The normal level of blood pressure is usually about 120 (systolic) over 80 (diastolic). If you have been told that your blood pressure is 140 over 90 or higher (or 140 over 80 if you have diabetes) you should discuss this with your family doctor.

How to measure your blood pressure at home

• A good time to check your blood pressure is first thing in the morning and then again in the evening about 12 hours later.
• Avoid caffeine, exercise and smoking for at least 30 minutes before checking your BP
• Sit comfortably for 5 minutes prior to checking your BP.
• Sit with your back supported, legs uncrossed and feet flat on the floor.
• Stay relaxed and avoid talking during the BP check. Relax your arm.
• Remove any tight clothing on the upper arm, its best to have your arm bare.
• Rest your arm on a table at the level of your heart with your palm upwards.
• Place the cuff appropriately placed around your upper arm, 2cm’s above the bend in your arm.  Use the correct cuff size to obtain accurate results. The cuff should fit snugly but not tightly.
• Press the on/off button on the machine
• The cuff will tighten around your arm and then release. Wait for automatic deflation.
• Make note of the reading, which arm and the time and date.

Tips for a healthy Blood Pressure 

• Know your blood pressure
• Aim to be a healthy weight
• Eat less salt and more fruit and vegetables
• Drink less alcohol and stay within the recommended guidelines
• Be physically active at moderate intensity 30 minutes a day 5 days a week