Research have shown that monitoring high blood pressure or hypertension at home, in addition to the healthcare provider’s regular monitoring, is a very helpful step when it comes to its successful management. Home monitoring may be prescribed by the doctor if:

• You have pre-hypertension
• You have hypertension
• You are at high risk of having high blood pressure

The American Heart Association highly recommends monitoring high blood pressure at home to assist healthcare providers whether the prescribed treatments are working.

How can home monitoring help?

• Home monitoring provides a time-lapse image

Measuring is the only way to know if you have high blood pressure since it has no symptoms and no other way to sense blood pressure fluctuations. Your doctor wants to get an accurate picture of your arteries’ situation. A snapshot is used to take such measurement. Snapshot can tell what the patient’s current blood pressure level. Emotions, diet and medication can temporarily influence and vary readings throughout the day. Having a record over time can help you and the healthcare provider have a clearer picture of your blood pressure.

• Home monitoring can prevent false readings

If you feel nervous whenever you are at a doctor’s office, it may affect your readings temporarily. This is often referred to as white-coat hypertension. Individuals with this kind of situation get normal readings outside but get higher readings at their doctor’s office. There is also a reverse white-coat hypertension or masked hypertension for the other extreme. Getting a wrong reading can lead to over or misdiagnosis, therefore home monitoring at home is a good way to show whether your blood pressure reading is accurate.

High blood pressure is often referred to as the silent killer. If not treated properly, it can lead to organ damage and heart disease in the long run. If you are having trouble managing your blood pressure at home, let ContinuCare Home Health Inc. in San Antonio Texas assist you. ContinuCare’s skilled nursing team can work with your doctor to create a “Plan of Care” that is individualized to meet your health recovery goals.