checking your blood pressure helps prevents hypertension - blood pressure help, medical advice and information
Checking Your Blood Pressure
Checking your blood pressure on a regular basis can be essential to your well-being. Doing this has been known to save people's lives. Hypertension can sneak up on you without any warning, and therefore, not being aware of your blood pressure levels on a regular basis can lead to severe health complications. Some of such risks may include heart and kidney failures, and even death.
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Due to the fact that the symptoms of hypertension may not be directly obvious at the early stages, it is especially important to have your blood pressure checked frequently. It is recommended to do so at least twice a year. It is a regular procedure that is typically done during a visit to the doctor. So, make sure you request it to be done every time you are visiting your physician.
It is important to relax before your blood pressure readings are taken. Patients are advised to take a comfortable position in a chair and roll up the sleeve of their shirt. Some people prefer to have their blood pressure checked while lying down; however, it is rarely recommended. You can learn to measure your pressure levels yourself. That way you may be able to do it more frequently in between your regular medical check-ups.
Taking blood a pressure reading typically does not take a long time. Five minutes will be enough to do so. A nurse will tighten sphygmomanometer cuff around your upper arm. Sphygmomanometer is another name for a blood pressure-measuring instrument. The inner lining of the instrument cuff is filled with mercury. The mercury pressure is increased when the cuff is pumped to allow for the blood pressure reading. Today you can find electronic sphygmomanometer which has a computer chip built in for measuring blood pressure.
The inflation of the blood pressure cuff temporarily blocks your blood from flowing. Stethoscope (a pressure detection devise attached to sphygmomanometer) detects the person's heart beats. The two blood pressure readings are indication of systolic and diastolic pressures. The former is an indicator of your blood pressure when the heart is contracting, and the latter is an indicator of your blood pressure when your heart is resting.
Remember to check your blood pressure periodically to prevent hypertension. Prevention is better than cure, and it is especially the case in case of hypertension. Relax and think about something pleasant to get the correct measurement while checking your blood pressure.
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