Why take your blood pressure at home?

Knowing your blood pressure is one indicator of heart health. It is important because high blood pressure is a silent, symptomless disease. Which means if you do not know it’s high unless you get it checked. Previously, that meant a trip to the doctor. Which for many also often leads to a potentially higher reading. A visit to the doctor’s surgery can be stressful. Particularly if you had to rush to get there. This is also known as white collar syndrome. You can purchase a Blood Pressure monitor for around £20 and take it yourself in the comfort of your own home.

• Ensure there is at least an hour before your last cup of coffee and the test
• Take your time to set up the area that you are going to use. Ideally a dinning room table and chair.
• Organise your blood pressure monitor
• take 5 minutes to do some deep breathing before you take the test
• Follow the instructions on your blood pressure monitor

Take a few tests to get an average result. If you are worried about the result, get in touch with your health care provider to figure out your next steps Ideally, take the test at the same time of day for a like for like comparison. Keep a note of the results to check The frequency of taking the test will probably depend on what your personal view of your health risk. But at least once a year if you have a low risk assessment

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Samantha Valand is a Pilates teacher, Yoga Instructor and Personal Trainer turned online Coach. Who helps over fifties women fall in love with exercising again after the menopause. You can find some inspiration over on the blog.  Over on my YouTube channel, you can find my Intuitive Exercise Energy Readings. A tool I created to help build intuition and the mind-body connection when you start to exercise again after the menopause. Sign up for my free monthly newsletter to help you live healthy ever after

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