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3.
Why measure blood pressure at home?
Many people feel anxious when measuring blood pressure at the doctor’s, which can result in the
measured value being 25 to 30 mmHg higher than if it was measured at home. When measuring at home
the measured value is not influenced to the same extent by external circumstances, which makes the
readings more accurate.
4.
WHO’s classification of blood pressure
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has established limiting values for blood pressure, without
reference to age, which are indicated in the table below.
5.
Variations in blood pressure
A person’s blood pressure can vary by up to 30 to 50 mmHg during the day. For persons with high blood
pressure, their blood pressure can vary even more.
Blood pressure normally increases during physical exertion, and is lowest during sleep. Indivual
measurement results can therefore be misleading.Note your normal blood pressure and take
measurements at the same time each day. A lot of measurements provide a better overview of variations
in blood pressure.
Always make a note of the date and time for blood pressure measurements. Ask your doctor to help you
interpret the results.
Reference material:
Journal of Hypertension 1999, Vol 17 No.
2
Systolic pressure
High–normal
Normal
Optimal
Hypertension grade 3 (substantially increased blood pressure)
Hypertension grade 2 (moderately increased blood pressure)
Hypertension grade 1 (increased blood
pressure)
D
ias
to
lic
pr
ess
ure
Typical variation during the day (measured at 5 minute intervals).
Systolic
Blood pressu
re
Diastolic
Sleep
Time
