A blood pressure test measures the pressure in the arteries as the heart pumps. A blood pressure test may be done as a part of a routine health checkup or as a screening for high blood pressure (hypertension). Some people use home monitors to check their blood pressure at home. Products & Services- Blood Pressure Monitors at Mayo Clinic Store
- Book: Mayo Clinic 5 Steps to Controlling High Blood Pressure
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Show more products from Mayo ClinicWhy it's doneA blood pressure test is a routine part of most health care checkups. Blood pressure screening is an important part of general health care. How often you should get your blood pressure checked depends on your age and overall health. - People age 18 and older with optimal blood pressure and no heart disease risk factors should have a blood pressure test at least once every 2 to 5 years.
- People age 40 and older — or younger with an increased risk of high blood pressure — should have a blood pressure test every year. Risk factors for high blood pressure include obesity and being Black.
- People who have chronic health conditions, such as high or low blood pressure or heart disease, may need to have blood pressure tests more often.
Your health care provider may also suggest that you check your blood pressure at home. Automated home blood pressure monitors are easy to use. Some can be connected to a computer or cellphone, allowing you to send the information to an online medical record. Ask your provider if this is an option for you. It's a good idea to keep a log of your home blood pressure readings. Also have your care provider check your monitor once a year to make sure you are getting accurate readings. Home blood pressure monitoring isn't a substitute for visits to your health care provider. - Cardiogenic shock
- Elevated blood pressure
- High blood pressure (hypertension)
- Low blood pressure (hypotension)
- Multiple system atrophy (MSA)
- Orthostatic hypotension (postural hypotension)
- Premature birth
- Secondary hypertension
- Subconjunctival hemorrhage (broken blood vessel in eye)
- Transient ischemic attack (TIA)
- Type 1 diabetes
- Vascular dementia
Show more related informationRequest an Appointment at Mayo Clinic RisksA blood pressure test is simple, quick and usually painless. However, the blood pressure cuff squeezes the arm while it inflates. Some people find this slightly uncomfortable. The feeling lasts for only a few seconds. How you prepareNo special preparations are usually needed for a blood pressure test. But the following steps may provide the most accurate measurement: - Do not smoke, exercise or use caffeine for 30 minutes to an hour before the test. Such activities increase blood pressure and heart rate.
- Wear a short-sleeved shirt so that the blood pressure cuff can be placed more easily around your arm.
- Relax in a chair for at least five minutes before the test.
- Tell your health care provider about the medications you take. Some drugs may affect blood pressure.
What you can expectDuring the procedureA blood pressure reading is usually taken while a person is seated in a chair with the feet flat on the floor. The arm should rest comfortably at heart level. The blood pressure cuff goes around the top part of the arm. The bottom of the cuff is just above the elbow. It's important that the cuff fits. Blood pressure readings can vary if the cuff is too big or too small. Blood pressure readings can be taken with the help of a machine. This is called an automated measurement. When a machine isn't used, this is called a manual measurement. - For a manual blood pressure measurement, the care provider places a stethoscope over the major artery in the upper arm (brachial artery) to listen to blood flow.
- The cuff is inflated with a small hand pump.
- As the cuff inflates, it squeezes the arm. Blood flow through the artery stops for a moment.
- The health care provider opens a valve on the hand pump to slowly release the air in the cuff and restore blood flow. The provider continues to listen to blood flow and pulse and records the blood pressure.
For an automated measurement, the blood pressure cuff automatically inflates and measures the pulse. In this case, a stethoscope is not needed. It takes about one minute to get a blood pressure measurement. After the procedureIf your blood pressure is high or low, you'll likely need to have at least three more blood pressure tests, spaced at least a week apart, to determine if you need treatment. Blood pressure can vary from moment to moment and day to day. ResultsYour health care provider can tell you your blood pressure results right away after the test. Blood pressure is measured in millimeters of mercury (mm Hg). A blood pressure measurement has two numbers: - The top number (systolic) is the pressure of the blood flow when the heart muscle squeezes (contracts), pumping blood.
- The bottom number (diastolic) is the pressure measured between heartbeats.
The American College of Cardiology and the American Heart Association divide blood pressure into four general categories. Ideal blood pressure is categorized as normal. Here's a look at blood pressure categories and what they mean. If the top and bottom numbers fall into two different ranges, the correct blood pressure category is the higher one. Top number (systolic) in mm HgAnd/orBottom number (diastolic) in mm HgBlood pressure category*What to doBelow 120andBelow 80Normal blood pressureMaintain or adopt a healthy lifestyle.120-129andBelow 80Elevated blood pressureMaintain or adopt a healthy lifestyle.130-139or80-89Stage 1 high blood pressure (hypertension)Maintain or adopt a healthy lifestyle. Talk to your provider about taking one or more medications.140 or higheror90 or higherStage 2 high blood pressure (hypertension)Maintain or adopt a healthy lifestyle. Talk to your provider about taking more than one medication.Sources: American College of Cardiology; American Heart Association*Ranges may be lower for children and teenagers. Talk to your child's provider if you think your child might have high blood pressure. If you have high blood pressure, making a few lifestyle changes can improve your heart health. - Reduce salt (sodium). The American Heart Association recommends that healthy adults have no more than 2,300 milligrams (mg) of sodium a day. Ideally, most adults should limit salt to less than 1,500 mg a day. Check the amount of salt in processed foods, such as canned soups and frozen foods.
- Eat healthy foods. Choose fruits, vegetables, whole grains and low-fat dairy foods. Eat less saturated fat and total fat.
- Avoid or limit alcohol. Alcohol can raise blood pressure. If you choose to drink alcohol, do so in moderation. For healthy adults, that means up to one drink a day for women and up to two drinks a day for men.
- Don't smoke. If you need help quitting, ask your provider about strategies that can help. Also try to avoid secondhand smoke.
- Manage weight. Having too much body weight is a risk factor for high blood pressure. Losing even just a few pounds can lower blood pressure.
- Exercise regularly. Staying active helps lower your blood pressure and manage your weight. The Department of Health and Human Services recommends that most healthy adults get at least 150 minutes of moderate aerobic activity or 75 minutes of vigorous aerobic activity a week, or a combination of the two.
If lifestyle changes do not successfully manage your blood pressure, your health care provider may recommend medication. Together, you and your provider can discuss the best treatment options for you. Clinical trialsExplore Mayo Clinic studies of tests and procedures to help prevent, detect, treat or manage conditions. By Mayo Clinic Staff Request an Appointment at Mayo Clinic Doctors & Departments May 27, 2022 Print Share on: FacebookTwitter Show references - Understanding blood pressure readings. American Heart Association. https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/high-blood-pressure/understanding-blood-pressure-readings. Accessed April 5, 2022.
- Whelton PK, et al. 2017 ACC/AHA/AAPA/ABC/ACPM/AGS/APhA/ASH/ASPC/NMA/PCNA guideline for the prevention, detection, evaluation, and management of high blood pressure in adults: A report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Task Force on Clinical Practice Guidelines. Hypertension. 2018; doi:10.1161/HYP.0000000000000065.
- Thomas G, et al. Blood pressure measurement in the diagnosis and management of hypertension in adults. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/search. Accessed April 5, 2022.
- 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and U.S. Department of Agriculture. https://www.dietaryguidelines.gov. Accessed April 5, 2022.
- How high blood pressure is diagnosed. American Heart Association. https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/high-blood-pressure/the-facts-about-high-blood-pressure/how-high-blood-pressure-is-diagnosed. Accessed April 5, 2022.
- Rethinking drinking: Alcohol and your health. National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. https://www.rethinkingdrinking.niaaa.nih.gov/. Accessed April 5, 2022.
- Muntner P, et al. Measurement of blood pressure in humans: A scientific statement from the American Heart Association. Hypertension. 2019; doi:10.1161/HYP.0000000000000087.
- High blood pressure: Screening and prevention. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/high-blood-pressure. Accessed April 5, 2022.
- Monitoring your blood pressure at home. American Heart Association. https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/high-blood-pressure/understanding-blood-pressure-readings/monitoring-your-blood-pressure-at-home. Accessed April 5, 2022.
- AskMayoExpert. Hypertension (adult). Mayo Clinic; 2021.
- US Preventive Services Task Force, et al. Screening for hypertension in adults: US Preventive Services Task Force reaffirmation recommendation statement. JAMA. 2021; doi:10.1001/jama.2021.4987.
Related- Cardiogenic shock
- Elevated blood pressure
- High blood pressure (hypertension)
- How to measure blood pressure using a manual monitor
- How to measure blood pressure using an automatic monitor
- Low blood pressure (hypotension)
- Multiple system atrophy (MSA)
- Orthostatic hypotension (postural hypotension)
- Premature birth
- Secondary hypertension
- Subconjunctival hemorrhage (broken blood vessel in eye)
- Transient ischemic attack (TIA)
- Type 1 diabetes
- Vascular dementia
- What is blood pressure?
Show more related contentProducts & Services- Blood Pressure Monitors at Mayo Clinic Store
- Book: Mayo Clinic 5 Steps to Controlling High Blood Pressure
- Book: Mayo Clinic Family Health Book, 5th Edition
- Newsletter: Mayo Clinic Health Letter — Digital Edition
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Before Checking Your Blood Pressure
Roll up the sleeve on your arm or remove any tight-sleeved clothing. Rest in a chair next to a table for 5 to 10 minutes. Your arm should rest comfortably at heart level. Sit up straight with your back against the chair, legs uncrossed.
When taking the blood pressure correctly the nurse should?
The patient should have the cuff positioned just above the elbow with the arm supported so the cuff is at the same level as their heart, which is about mid- chest. Let the patient know how often to measure. Patients should take two readings, one minute apart. Between readings, patients should not remove the cuff.
What are the steps to taking blood pressure in nursing?
Select the appropriate cuff for his arm circumference. Extend the arm and support it at heart level with his palm upward. Keep the sphygmomanometer where you can read it clearly. Wrap the deflated cuff snugly and evenly around the patient's upper arm with its lower edge 1 inch (2.5 cm) above the antecubital space.
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