Blood Pressure Monitoring-ImageBlood Pressure Monitoring

🩺 Blood Pressure Monitoring

 

High blood pressure is often silent but can lead to serious health problems if left untreated.

 

 

🔍 What is it?

 

Blood Pressure Monitoring checks the force of your blood pushing against the walls of your arteries. It’s a quick, non-invasive test often called a "silent lifesaver" because hypertension (high blood pressure) rarely shows symptoms until it causes damage.

Monitoring helps identify if you’re at risk of heart disease, stroke, kidney problems, or other complications.

 

 

📊 What does it measure?

MeasurementWhat It Means
Systolic PressureThe pressure when your heart beats (top number)
Diastolic PressureThe pressure when your heart rests between beats (bottom number)

NHS Blood Pressure Categories:

CategorySystolicDiastolic
Normal90–120 mmHg60–80 mmHg
High-Normal121–139 mmHg81–89 mmHg
High (Hypertension Stage 1)140–159 mmHg90–99 mmHg
High (Hypertension Stage 2)160+ mmHg100+ mmHg
Low< 90 mmHg< 60 mmHg

 

 

❓ Why might I need it?

 

You may need blood pressure monitoring if you:

  • 🎂 Are over age 40 (NHS recommends regular checks)
  • 🧬 Have a family history of hypertension, heart disease, or stroke
  • 🤕 Experience headaches, dizziness, or blurred vision
  • ⚖️ Are overweight, 😰 stressed, or 🛋️ physically inactive
  • 💉 Have diabetes, kidney disease, or high cholesterol
  • 📉 Are monitoring the effect of medications or lifestyle changes

 

 

🧬 Conditions it can help detect:

  • Hypertension (high blood pressure)
  • Hypotension (low blood pressure)
  • White coat syndrome (raised BP due to anxiety in clinical settings)
  • Masked hypertension (normal in clinic but high at home)
  • Heart disease risk
  • Kidney strain or damage
     

 

🩺 How is it done?

  • Clinic-based (manual or digital cuff)
  • Home blood pressure monitors available for self-monitoring
  • 24-hour ambulatory BP monitoring may be used for diagnosis
     

The test takes only a few minutes, and repeat readings over time give the most accurate picture.

 

 

💷 Typical Private Cost in the UK:

 

  • In-clinic check: £20–£60
  • 24-hour ambulatory BP monitor: £70–£120
  • Home BP monitors: £25–£80 (buy once and use regularly)

     

Often included in private health checkups or cardiovascular screening packages

 

 

✅ Commonly combined with:

  • Cholesterol & lipid panel
  • HbA1c/glucose tests (diabetes screening)
  • Kidney function tests
  • ECG or echocardiograms (if heart disease suspected)
     

 

📚 References:

  1. NHS – Blood pressure test
  2. NHS – High blood pressure (hypertension)
  3. British Heart Foundation – Measuring blood pressure
     
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