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BLOOD PRESSURE Q&A
Q Why is the blood pressure measured at home different from that measured by the physician or at a hospital?
A Your blood pressure may vary due to exercise, the ambient temperature or your mental state. When you have a physician or nurse measure your blood pressure, the pressure value is likely to be 10 to 20 mmHg higher than usual due to anxiety and/or stress. Knowing what affects your blood pressure helps you to better monitor your health.
Q
A Our blood pressure is adjusted by automatic nerve function. Blood pressure differs with every heart beat. We are likely to think that our blood pressure is constant, but it varies if you take measurements in repetition. Blood pressure is susceptible to the time of day, such as morning and afternoon, season and atmospheric temperature. In addition, blood pressure is easily affected by mental stress or emotional ups and downs. It tends to increase when you feel tension or decrease when you are relaxed.
Q
A Blood pressure measurements taken at home give reliable data as they can be taken when you are in a stable and relaxed condition. Physicians place considerable importance on blood pressure measurements taken at home. You should measure your blood pressure at the same time each day and record the variations in your blood pressure.
Always consult your physician for an interpretation of your blood pressure readings and to determine the proper treatment.