A Guide to Monitoring Your Blood Pressure during Isolation

Given the state of the world today, it’s safe to say that getting stressed is easier than ever. From toilet paper shortages to pressing world events, nearly anything can be a cause for stress during these trying times. Out of all the potential causes for stress that may come about, however, there’s no factor that causes blood pressures to surge more than ever than complete isolation.

Why isolation is another big problem that needs to be faced

With New Jersey and the rest of America, in particular, cracking down on COVID-19 with a variety of tactics, citizens are now urged to stay at home to create the necessary environment for complete recovery. 

Although experiencing a significant shift in one’s own daily routine can be nothing short of stressful, it is much more important to shift your focus towards handling your stress. This is where managing your blood pressure in isolation comes into the picture. 

Why you should start managing your blood pressure at home

As opposed to what most people think, the truth is blood pressure measurements that are taken at home are a far more accurate indication of your true condition. This is true because they’re taken in the most relaxed and neutral conditions possible. Instead of getting your heart pumping out of anticipation and anxiety of being at a hospital or clinic, getting monitored at home puts you in a stable state to get your blood pressure checked. Doing this also yields a better indication of your risk of heart attack and stroke! 

By cutting the “white coat” effect out, you can keep any factors that may unnecessarily raise your blood pressure and heart rate to get accurate readings that paint a clearer picture of your health. 

A few tips when you start monitoring

If you want to keep an eye on your heart health, here are a few tips to help you get started: 


Invest in a validated device

As the easiest way to take one’s own blood pressure, validated devices are a great tool to have for anyone who doesn’t want to get caught up in the complexities of the process. With a usage flow that’s as simple as getting the correct-size cuff and wearing it on your wrist, you can get an accurate blood pressure reading in a matter of seconds.

Sit quietly and correctly for five minutes before a test

The best way to get an accurate blood pressure reading is to sit quietly and correctly for a bit before your test because it helps set your body in the right state for proper monitoring. By sitting down properly for a few minutes, you can bring your heart rate down to an optimal testing rate for an accurate reading on where you’re currently at. 

Avoid caffeine of smoking before your test

Mistakenly smoking a cigarette or drinking coffee before your test will immediately mess your results up because these two activities will definitely bump up your heart rate. So, make sure you keep everything under control before taking your test!

Conclusion

Learning how to take your own blood pressure and start monitoring it from the confines of isolation is a great way to keep a keen eye on your health. By following the guide given above, you can start taking better care of your cardiovascular health and prevent any drastic conditions from popping up long after the coronavirus is over!

Looking to keep your health in perfect shape with the help of top primary care doctors in North Bergen and Secaucus? Get in touch with us today to see how we can help! 

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