Blood Pressure Checks

Blood pressure is one of the simplest ways to keep track of your heart and overall health. High blood pressure often has no symptoms, so checking your blood pressure regularly can help you know your numbers and identify concerns early.

MCHD offers blood pressure checks Monday through Thursday from 7-11am, at no cost.

A blood pressure reading includes two numbers:
– Systolic pressure (top number): the pressure in your arteries when your heart beats
– Diastolic pressure (bottom number): the pressure in your arteries between heartbeats

Your blood pressure can change throughout the day and may be affected by things such as stress, caffeine, physical activity, illness, or certain medications. One high reading does not necessarily mean you have high blood pressure.

 

For most adults, blood pressure is categorized as follows:

Category	Systolic	Diastolic
Normal	Less than 120	and less than 80
Elevated	120–129	and less than 80
High Blood Pressure – Stage 1	130–139	or 80–89
High Blood Pressure – Stage 2	140 or higher	or 90 or higher
Severe Hypertension	Higher than 180	and/or higher than 120

A diagnosis of high blood pressure should be made by a healthcare provider. Your provider may recommend taking multiple readings over time or monitoring your blood pressure at home.

Tips for a More Accurate Reading

Before having your blood pressure checked:
– Avoid exercise, caffeine, and smoking for about 30 minutes beforehand               – Empty your bladder
– Sit quietly for at least 5 minutes before the reading                                                    – Keep both feet flat on the floor and your back supported
– Rest your arm on the table or other surface so the cuff is at heart level                 – Don’t talk during the measurement

What Can Help Lower Blood Pressure?

Healthy habits can help prevent or manage high blood pressure:
– Eat a balanced diet that includes plenty of fruits and vegetables                             – Limit sodium (salt) and highly processed foods
– Stay physically active                                                                                                        – Maintain a healthy weight
– Limit alcohol                                                                                                                       – Avoid tobacco products
– Get enough sleep                                                                                                               – Take medications exactly as prescribed by your healthcare provider.

When to Seek Medical Care

If your blood pressure is consistently higher than normal, talk with your healthcare provider. They can determine whether additional monitoring, lifestyle changes, or treatment are needed.
If your blood pressure is higher than 180/120 mm Hg, wait at least one minute and check it again. If it remains that high, contact a healthcare professional promptly. If a reading of 180/120 mm Hg or higher is accompanied by symptoms such as chest pain, shortness of breath, severe headache, weakness or numbness, vision changes, difficulty speaking, or other concerning symptoms, seek emergency medical care immediately.

The information on this page is for general education and does not replace medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment from a healthcare provider.