Blood pressure is dynamic and it varies. However, blood pressure should vary within the normal target goal blood pressure.
Researches developed new hypertension guidelines that have set new controlled target goals blood pressure.
In addition to monitoring in the medical clinic, the new guidelines says that blood pressure less than 120/80 mm Hg is the target goal for the average person 55 years old or older.
In 2015, researchers compared blood pressure taken by medical office staff with blood pressures taken by hypertension clinic experts. Poor blood pressure technique was found, which yielded higher blood pressure measurements in people with resistant hypertension.
In this study the percentage of uncontrolled resistant hypertension was higher by 21%. Therefore, 21% of the people with resistant hypertension were falsely labeled refractory hypertension when in fact they were controlled.
Refractory hypertension was defined in 2008 by researchers, as hypertension that has not been controlled on maximum tolerated doses of more than 4 medications. It is also known as hypertension that has failed treatment. In other words, resistant hypertension is uncontrolled despite 4 or more medications of different medication classes including a diuretic.
Home Blood Pressure Monitoring
A home blood pressure monitor is the best tool for blood pressure control because it can help guide your medication treatment regimen.
Your medication treatment regimen is your blood pressure medication.
The American Heart Association and the national hypertension guidelines recommend home blood pressure monitoring for better blood pressure management.
In 2015, researchers compared blood pressure taken by medical office staff with blood pressures taken by hypertension clinic experts. Poor blood pressure technique was found, which yielded higher blood pressure measurements in people with resistant hypertension.
In this study the percentage of uncontrolled resistant hypertension was higher by 21%. Therefore, 21% of the people with resistant hypertension were falsely labeled refractory hypertension when in fact they were controlled.
Refractory Hypertension
African American women are at higher risk for developing refractory hypertension. Research has shown that 3-10% of the population of a specialty hypertension clinic had refractory hypertension.
Refractory hypertension was defined in 2008 by researchers, as hypertension that has not been controlled on maximum tolerated doses of 5 classes or more blood pressure medications. It is also known as hypertension that has failed hypertension treatment including a diuretic and spironolactone. Obviously, medication adherence needs to be confirmed in refractory patients in a non-subjective way.
In other words, resistant hypertension is uncontrolled despite 5 or more medications of different medication classes including a diuretic and spironolactone.
It is known that these patients are probably not taking their medication as prescribed by their health care provider.
Getting To Your True Blood Pressure
Home blood pressure monitoring is the most suitable way to confirm your true blood pressure. Here, you would measure your own blood pressure at home using a home blood pressure monitor.
Doing this simple thing at home would be beneficial. It would decrease your risk of stroke, heart attack, and other poor outcomes better than office blood pressure measurement.
Accurately Measure Your Blood Pressure
Sadly, many people just do not measure their blood pressure at home. That’s too bad because they could be helping their help care provider optimally manage their blood pressure.
There are various reasons for this. But, one common REASON is that people still don’t believe that home blood pressure monitoring is accurate.
Research has shown repeatedly that home blood pressure monitoring more accurately capture your actual blood pressure than a blood pressure done in a medical office.
That said, the home blood pressure measurement must be done with a validated monitor and using the correct technique. Later in this post, I will give you a link to a list with validated monitors to select from. I will also give you a link to provide you with information on the correct technique to use.
Optimize Blood Pressure Management
You see, it’s important that you know what your blood pressure numbers are when you are not in the medical office. This helps your health care provider know your true blood pressure.
Without your true blood pressure, your blood pressure medication regimen might not be right for you. You will likely be over treated, under treated, or have treatment failure. You need to bring your health care provider data. This will help you get the best medication regimen to control your blood pressure.
Don’t doubt this. Try it for yourself. Take your blood pressure at home with a home blood pressure monitor and share your readings with your health care provider. I am ABSOLUTELY sure it will help you better manage your blood pressure.
Many people have asked me my recommendations about where they can get an accurate home blood pressure monitor for the best bargain.
Click the picture above to get the accurate blood pressure monitor that I use in the clinic and in my research studies. Or, feel free to purchase this monitor from anywhere else that is convenient and affordable for you.
Although I get a small commission for clicking on the link and purchasing, which helps me provide you with the material on this blog, I really do not care where you get it. Just make it happen! Believe me, you won’t regret it.
Click the link for guidance to select other validated monitors (www.dableducational.org/sphygmomanometers.html)
Get the most accurate blood pressure monitor at this link: Monitor your blood pressure at least once a week, keep a log, and share your diary with your health care provider. Report any moderate readings soon and report any severe measurements immediately to avoid these mistakes. Go to 30 days to a Better Blood Pressure for a step by step approach to obtaining normal blood pressure.References
Bhatt, H, Siddiqui, M., Oparil, S., & Calhoun, D. (2015). Prevalence of pseudo-resistant hypertension secondary to improper blood pressuremesurement technique. Journal of the American Society of Hypertension 10(4):e20-e21
Breaux-Shropshire, T., Judd, E., Vucovich, L., Shropshire, T., & Singh, S. (2014). Does home blood pressure monitoring improve patient outcomes? A systematic review comparing home and ambulatory blood pressure monitoring on blood pressure control and patient outcomes. Integrated Blood Pressure Control, 8, 43-49.
Calhoun, D., Jones, D., Textor, S., Goff, D., Murphy, T., Toto, R., et al. (2008). Resistant hypertension: diagnosis, evaluation, and treatment. A scientific statement from the American Heart Association Professional Education Committee of the Council for High Blood Pressure Research. Hypertension, 51(6), 1403-1419.
