How to Interpret a Blood Pressure Reading

Blood pressure is the pressure that the flow of blood exerts against the blood vessel walls as the heart pumps. Blood pressure changes from minute to minute and is affected by activity and rest, body temperature, diet, one's physical and emotional condition, medications and even posture. Doctors typically use a sphygmomanometer to measure the two components that compose a blood pressure reading--systolic pressure and diastolic pressure. This measuring device consists of a stethoscope, arm cuff, dial, pump and valve. Read on to learn how to interpret a blood pressure reading.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

1. Understand what your score means. A reading of 120/80, or 120 over 80, is considered normal. A reading between 120 to 139 over 80 to 89 is considered to be in the prehypertension range and requires medical attention. If diagnosed early, natural activities such as exercise and diet can be effective in lowering blood pressure.
2. Purchase a manual or electronic blood pressure machine and take it with you to your next doctor's visit. Have your physician show you how to properly use the device and how to accurately read the measurements.
3. Measure your blood pressure at different times while resting to find out your typical, or average, value.
4. Monitor your daily activities and eating habits to determine if they may be the causes for consistent high blood pressure readings. Eating and drinking, consuming alcohol, smoking and even exercising within 30 to 45 minutes of taking your blood pressure could raise body temperature and negatively affect your reading.
5. Learn about your family's medical history and share this information with your doctor. Heart disease at a young age, diabetes and high cholesterol are all hereditary conditions that can be intensified by high blood pressure. Therefore, it's imperative that you not only take the proactive steps to regularly check your high blood pressure but also that you interpret the test results accurately.
6. Have your doctor explain the difference between systolic blood pressure, the pressure as your heart beats, and diastolic blood pressure, the pressure between heartbeats. Knowing why one may be high and the other normal could help you better create a plan to return your overall blood pressure reading to an acceptable range.

Tips & Warnings

• Take three readings approximately 15 minutes apart. It's natural to be nervous during the first reading, which could elevate one's blood pressure and generate an innaccurate reading.