What happens if you check your blood pressure too often?

International hypertension societies recommend taking multiple blood pressure measurements over several days, under comparable conditions, and at the same time of day (morning and evening), and then calculating the mean value of these measurements.

• Individual blood pressure is represented by this average value. Even when at rest, blood pressure fluctuates constantly. As a result, doctors and hypertension society advise taking at least two readings each time and averaging the results.
• A series of measurements provides far more reliable information about blood pressure than a single measurement. Blood pressure averaging methods have long been used by physicians to determine the need for and adjust the treatment of hypertension in their patients. 
• Your true blood pressure is the average level over time. However, traditionally, averaging has meant either taking the average of specific systolic and diastolic blood pressures from a 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure reading or asking patients with hypertension to take multiple readings at home and averaging those readings.

A growing body of research suggests that taking a series of sequential in-office blood pressure measurements and then averaging those measurements is the most effective method of averaging.

How can I take blood pressure at home?

Blood pressure can be measured at home with minimal effort. If you want to monitor your resting blood pressure at home regularly, an automated or digital blood pressure machine may be useful.

It is always recommended to take blood pressure medications before taking readings. After taking the medications, you should sit quietly for at least 5 to 15 minutes.

1. Put the cuff around your upper arm
2. Relax your arm and place it on your knee, the arm of your chair, or a nearby table
3. Press the blood pressure machine's button to inflate the cuff and sit quietly, without talking (talking can falsely raise the reading)
4. Make a note of the outcome
5. After one minute, take a second blood pressure reading and record it as well
6. Repeat this two times a day for the rest of the week

To get the most accurate results, keep a blood pressure diary for a week, taking blood pressure readings two times a day. 

• Morning and evening are frequently convenient times to take your blood pressure readings.
• If you get an unexpectedly high reading, don't be alarmed. A one-time high reading is usually nothing to worry about. Take your blood pressure again at a different time.
• If it remains high, bring it up at your next clinic appointment.

Four blood pressure categories are depending on where the measurements land.

1. Normal blood pressure: Systolic below 120 and diastolic below 80 mmHg
2. Pre-hypertension: Systolic 120 to 139 and diastolic 80 to 89 mmHg
3. Stage I hypertension: Systolic 140 to 159 and diastolic 90 to 99 mmHg
4. Stage II hypertension: Systolic 160+ and diastolic 100+ mmHg

Is systolic blood pressure more important than diastolic blood pressure?

In practice, systolic blood pressure should be prioritized over diastolic blood pressure. However, there is a strong correlation between systolic and diastolic blood pressure in general. Both are significant risk factors for heart disease.

• Systolic blood pressure is the force generated on the inside of blood vessels when your heart contracts.
• Diastolic pressure is the pressure placed on your arteries between heartbeats when your heart is relaxed.

According to a recent study, having an abnormally high diastolic or systolic blood pressure is harmful to one's health but for different reasons.

• A high systolic blood pressure reading increased the risk of heart attack and heart disease. Systolic blood pressure is strongly associated with heart disease and heart failure, as well as kidney disease and overall mortality.
• A high diastolic reading was linked to an increased risk of disease involving the aorta, a large artery that transports blood and oxygen from the heart to the abdomen and chest. People who had a high diastolic reading were more likely to develop an abdominal aortic aneurysm, which is an enlargement of the aorta. The problem with such an enlargement is that it can cause rupture and death.

High systolic readings were found to be the most predictive of a negative cardiovascular outcome in studies. As a result, they were given greater weight in cardiology guidelines and risk estimation. Having both numbers in a healthy range, however, is beneficial to you and your heart.

The following are some common readings that everyone should be familiar with.

• Healthy blood pressure: Less than 120/80 mmHg
• Pre-hypertension: 120/80 to 139/89 mmHg
• Hypertension: Greater than 140/90 mmHg

Blood pressure readings of 180/120 mmHg or higher are considered dangerously high and necessitate immediate medical attention.

Maintain a healthy lifestyle and take care of yourself if your blood pressure is normal, and you can prevent or delay the onset of high blood pressure or other health problems.

If you find yourself in a higher category, talk to your doctor about setting specific goals to lower your numbers and lower your risk of heart disease. You don't want your heart to work too hard to keep your blood pumping.

Medically Reviewed on 12/21/2021

References

Image Source: iStock Images Eguchi K, Kuruvilla S, Ogedegbe G, Gerin W, Schwartz JE, Pickering TG. What is the optimal interval between successive home blood pressure readings using an automated oscillometric device?. J Hypertens. 2009;27(6):1172-1177. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2941726/ Harvard Health Publishing. Tips to measure your blood pressure correctly. https://www.health.harvard.edu/heart-health/tips-to-measure-your-blood-pressure-correctly Vinyoles E, Vera M, Cecilia M, García-Alfaro M, Fernandez-San-Martin M. Blood pressure measurement: The waiting time between readings: PP.14.18. J Hypertens. 2010;28:e254. https://journals.lww.com/jhypertension/Abstract/2010/06001/Blood_Pressure_Measurement__the_Waiting_Time.703.aspx

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Measure Your Blood Pressure. https://www.cdc.gov/bloodpressure/measure.htm

Your browser is no longer supported. Update it to get the best YouTube experience and our latest features. Learn more

Blood pressure is the pressure of the blood in the arteries as it is pumped around the body by the heart. Blood pressure does not stay the same all the time. It changes to meet your body’s needs. It is affected by various factors, including body position, breathing, emotional state, exercise and sleep.  

If blood pressure remains high, it can lead to serious problems like heart attack, stroke, heart failure or kidney disease. The medical name for persistently high blood pressure is hypertension and the medical name for low blood pressure is hypotension. 

How blood pressure is measured

It is best to measure blood pressure when you are relaxed and sitting. Blood pressure is usually measured by wrapping an inflatable pressure cuff around your upper arm. (This cuff is part of a machine called a sphygmomanometer.) 

Blood pressure is recorded as two numbers, such as 120/80. The larger number indicates the pressure in the arteries as the heart pumps out blood during each beat. This is called the systolic blood pressure. 

The lower number indicates the pressure as the heart relaxes before the next beat. This is called the diastolic blood pressure. Both are measured in units called millimetres of mercury (mmHg).

Variations in blood pressure

Your blood pressure changes to meet your body’s needs. If a reading is high, your doctor may measure your blood pressure again on several separate occasions to confirm the level. 

Your doctor may also recommend that you measure your blood pressure at home or have a 24-hour recording with a monitoring device. 

Blood pressure readings

What is considered a healthy blood pressure varies from person to person. Your doctor will advise you about what your ideal blood pressure is based on your circumstances, including your overall health.

The following figures should only be used as a guide:

High blood pressure usually does not give warning signs. You can have high blood pressure and feel perfectly well. The only way to find out if your blood pressure is high is to have it checked regularly by your doctor.

Low blood pressure is relative – what is low for one person may be okay for another – and is only considered a problem if it has a negative impact on your body or it affects the way you feel.

Get regular blood pressure checks

If your blood pressure is in the healthy range and you have no other risk factors for cardiovascular disease, and no personal or family history of high blood pressure, it is still important to have a check at least every two years. Your doctor can also check your blood pressure   during routine visits.

If your blood pressure is ‘high–normal’ (or higher – for example 140/95), or if you have other risk factors for cardiovascular disease, such as a personal or family history of high blood pressure, stroke or heart attack, it is best to have it checked more frequently – such as every 6 to 12 months or as directed by your doctor. Ask your doctor for advice.

Managing high blood pressure

If your blood pressure remains high, it can lead to serious health problems. You will be more at risk of these problems if you:

Lifestyle changes are very important to help manage high blood pressure and lower your risk of cardiovascular disease. Suggestions include: 

• Enjoy a wide variety of foods 
• Decrease your salt (sodium) intake. (Salt is a mineral and is made up of sodium and chloride, but it’s the sodium in salt that is bad for your health. Although health professionals talk about salt, it is the sodium that is listed on food labels in supermarkets that it is important to keep track of.)
• Achieve and maintain a healthy weight.
• Be moderately physically active for 30 to 45 minutes per day, five days or more in the week. Alternatively, aim for vigorous activity (activity that makes you huff and puff) for 15 to 30 minutes, five or more days of the week.
• Limit your alcohol intake to no more than 10 standard drinks a week.
• Quit smoking.

Some people may also need medicine to manage high blood pressure, but it is still important for them to make lifestyle changes too.

High blood pressure and daily activity

Check with your doctor before starting a new activity or increasing your level or intensity. Be active safely. – Build up your levels of activity gradually.

Try to do at least 30 to 45 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity on most, if not all, days of the week. This can be done in bouts of 10 minutes or longer, if that is more convenient.

Physical activity is any form of bodily movement performed by our large muscle groups. Moderate-intensity physical activity (energetic activity that doesn’t make you overly breathless), such as brisk walking or cycling, is enough to provide health benefits.

Walking is a great activity for all ages. You may like to join one of the Heart Foundation’s community walking groups. 

Some types of exercises, such as body presses and lifting heavy weights, can raise your blood pressure. Avoid these if you have high blood pressure. 

High blood pressure and diet

Following a diet that emphasises the intake of vegetables, fruits and whole grains, including low-fat dairy products, such as in the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet, may be combined with exercise and weight loss to maximise blood pressure reduction.

Healthy eating is important in managing high blood pressure and reducing your risk of heart disease. 

Follow these heart healthy eating patterns recommended by the Heart Foundation:

• Eat plenty of fruit, vegetables and wholegrains.
• Include a variety of healthy protein sources – especially fish and seafood, legumes (such as beans and lentils), nuts and seeds. Smaller amounts of eggs and lean poultry can also be included in a heart healthy diet. If choosing red meat, make sure it is lean and limit to 1-3 times a week.
• Consume unflavoured milk, yoghurt and cheese. If you have high cholesterol, choose reduced fat varieties.
• Make healthy fat choices with nuts, seeds, avocados, olives and their oils for cooking.
• Add herbs and spices to flavour foods, instead of adding salt.
• Drink mainly water.

Salt intake and high blood pressure

Reducing the amount of salt (sodium) you eat can also help to manage or even avoid high blood pressure. To help reduce your salt intake: 

• Ensure your diet consists of wholefoods including – vegetables, fruits, wholegrains, lean meat and poultry, fish and seafood, legumes, unsalted nuts and seeds.
• Avoid packaged and processed foods (such as pizzas, pastries, biscuits and take away foods) that are high in salt. You can’t see the salt in these foods, so you don’t know how much salt you are having. Get into the habit of checking food labels.
• Choose low-salt (less than 120mg sodium per 100g) food where possible. If you can’t find low-salt products, those with moderate amounts of salt (less than 400mg sodium per 100g) are ok too. Another simple alternative is to look for labels with ‘low salt’, ‘salt reduced’ or ‘no added salt.
• Avoid adding salt to cooking or at the table – flavour meals with herbs and spices instead.

Medications for high blood pressure

There is a large variety of medicines available to lower and manage high blood pressure. Your doctor may call them ‘antihypertensives’, (which basically means ‘anti’ – against and ‘hypertensive’ – high blood pressure).

These medications do not cure high blood pressure, but they do help manage it. Once you start to take medicines to manage your blood pressure, you may need to take them for the rest of your life. However, the dose of these medicines may change over time.

If you need to take medication, your doctor will advise you on the correct type and dose. Two or more different medications are often needed to manage blood pressure.

Make sure you take your medicines regularly. Some things that may help you remember to take them include: 

• Building them into your daily routine by taking them at the same time each day. 
• Keeping them somewhere that will remind you – such as next to your alarm, or with your coffee or tea.
• Using a weekly pill box.
• Marking the time on your calendar. 
• Asking a family member or friend to remind you.
• Always carrying a list of your medicines and their doses with you.
• Entering a daily alarm in your mobile phone or download an app (such as NPS Medicinewise ) to remind you.

Take any blood pressure medicine exactly as prescribed. Don’t stop or change your medicine, unless your doctor advises you to.

Where to get help