How to measure blood pressure ???

[Wdflannery]

I'm just getting into trying to lower my bp via diet ..... and
I'd like to get some info on bp variabilty ..... I have a bp
machine ..... if I measure my bp on awaking in the morning ...
while still in bed ..... I get nice low numbers ...... later
in the day the numbers shoot up..... I'm trying to discover
the daily pattern, what effects it, etc., and I'm wondering
what info is available on bp variablity .....????

Also, what foods can have an effect ..... ??????

[Robert]

"Wdflannery" <wdflannery@aol.com> wrote in message
news:20030812152948.20330.00002273@mb-m29.aol.com...
> I'm just getting into trying to lower my bp via diet .....
> and I'd like to
get
> some info on bp variabilty ..... I have a bp machine .....
> if I measure my
bp
> on awaking in the morning ... while still in bed ..... I get
> nice low
numbers
> ...... later in the day the numbers shoot up..... I'm trying
> to discover
the
> daily pattern, what effects it, etc., and I'm wondering what
> info is available on bp variablity .....????
>
> Also, what foods can have an effect ..... ??????

BP is different based on position and varies if supine,
sitting or standing. You should take it in the same position
every time with the arm at the height of your heart. Keep in
mind that it may also vary based on white coat hypertension
with home levels being lower vs. the doctors office. Some
people have salt sensitive hypertension especially in the
presence of diabetes and should minimize sodium intake. If you
are overweight you should lower your BP by losing weight and
exercise. With essential hypertension not associated with
weight directly then medication will be the only long term
answer as it will creep up more and more with time.

[Alter Ego]

wdflannery@aol.com (Wdflannery) wrote in message
news:<20030812152948.20330.00002273@mb-m29.aol.com>...
> I'm just getting into trying to lower my bp via diet .....
> and I'd like to get some info on bp variabilty ..... I have
> a bp machine ..... if I measure my bp on awaking in the
> morning ... while still in bed ..... I get nice low numbers
> ...... later in the day the numbers shoot up..... I'm trying
> to discover the daily pattern, what effects it, etc., and
> I'm wondering what info is available on bp variablity
> .....????
>
> Also, what foods can have an effect ..... ??????

I have seen graphs of blood pressure measurements taken
through out the day on individuals. You are choosing the time
of the day, when blood pressure and heart rate are lowest, if
you take it on waking and before getting out of bed. At least,
that is when my BP and heart rate tends to be lowest.

I'll suggest consistently using the same position when
taking your blood pressure. Until you are familiar with how
your BP behaves throughout the day, measure more than once
during the day.