|
Learn How to Make a Blood Pressure Chart
|
|
According to a study, involving 430 people and done by W. J. Verbek in the
Netherlands, people with hypertension can lower their pressure and usage of medications more
effectively if they monitor their pressure themselves. Self monitoring saves the patient costly
visits to the doctor’s office and provides him with a far more accurate and comprehensive record of
his blood pressure history. This record will be helpful to your doctor who will then be able to
better understand and treat your hypertension. The best time of the day to take a blood pressure reading
is midmorning because early in the morning usually blood pressure is highest. Take readings
three to four times a day. Your baseline blood pressure needs to be set. For this purpose, take the reading
with the highest systolic number and the lowest diastolic number. Thus, readings of 150/94, 146/92,
and 148/90 would give you a baseline of 150/90.
|
Next, comes the planning of Blood Pressure chart
|
|
Set a place for date, number of times you will take the reading, a place for
your blood pressure and pulse reading and a graph of your blood pressure. Keeping in mind your
baseline, include 20 digits higher than the systolic number and 20 digits lower than the diastolic
number. For example, if your baseline is 150/90, then your graph must have a range from 170 to 70.
This is to ensure that the different readings will be accommodated in the chart. Take a lined paper and draw columns on it or print out a table from the
computer. The left-hand column contains the word "Date" at the top and then numbers down the page
starting with 170 and ending with 70 in five-digit increments. The last two rows at the bottom are
for you to write your blood pressure and pulse numbers. Make sure that you are rested and relaxed before taking down your blood pressure
and pulse reading. Set fixed timings for taking the readings. You can start by checking your blood
pressure in the morning and evening or once daily. Once your blood pressure stabilises, you can
check it less frequently. Whenever you check it, do not forget to note it down on your chart. Keep dotting your highest and lowest points on the chart and make a graph out of
it by connecting the all the dots of all the blood pressure readings. It is very effective in giving you one overall look at your blood pressure
record. Stay healthy by maintaining this chart.
| 
