Do I have high blood pressure?

"High blood pressure - the silent killer" - You can find headlines like this or similar ones in various magazines and on the internet. They point out the danger of high blood pressure, because it can lead not only to discomfort but also to life-threatening conditions. Many readers may perceive this risk as something abstract that won't affect them personally.
What if it does?

What if your parents or grandparents already have high blood pressure, so-called hypertension? Or if you honestly have to admit to yourself certain risk factorslike little exercise, stress, or a big appetitethat can promote high blood pressure? How do you actually notice that your blood pressure is too high? Especially when it's described as the "silent killer" and you are repeatedly told that in the early stages it causes no or hardly any symptoms?

M÷gliche Symptome, die unabhõngig vom Geschlecht, bei Bluthochdruck auftreten k÷nnen.

Mögliche Symptome, die unabhängig vom Geschlecht, bei Bluthochdruck auftreten können.

If you see your GP more or less regularly, they will usually measure your blood pressure. Maybe not at every visit, but with some regularity. If you attend preventive check-upsthe check-ups from age 35 onwardblood pressure measurement is part of the program to detect potentially dangerous conditions early. The ESH (European Society of Hypertension) even recommends adding blood pressure measurement for children from age 3 to the standard preventive check-ups, because the condition is increasingly seen in children and adolescents. Elevated blood pressure at that age carries a similar risk of serious illness later in life as high blood pressure diagnosed in adulthood and should therefore be detected and treated as early as possible if necessary. But what about people who have outgrown childhood and are healthy enough that they don't have a reason to see a doctor, or who tend to "forget" preventive check-ups? Assuming that their blood pressure is fine just to be safe might be a bit naive. It's at least advisable to check from time to time. You don't necessarily need an appointment with a doctor for this. Most pharmacies offer blood pressure measurement as a service.

Even easier is measuring your blood pressure at home with an automatic monitor. These devices are already very affordable. That way you can check your blood pressure easily and without the stress of a doctor's visit. You don't even have to leave your home.

It's sensible to record the values you obtain. That way a gradual rise is easier to spot and you won't just chalk higher readings up to how you felt that day.

Which brings us to the question of how meaningful a single blood pressure measurement is. You can probably guess: not very. Especially if you casually check your blood pressure in passing, the values can be distorted and often elevated. To get a realistic result, several points must be observed. Even before buying a device you can find models that are more or less suitable for you. We currently advise against measuring blood pressure with smartwatches, fitness bands, etc., because the technology often still doesn't deliver sufficiently accurate results. Devices that give the most accurate readings still need to be calibrated against conventional blood pressure monitors. So you can save your money for now and use a proper blood pressure monitor instead.

Before the measurement itself you should have a sufficient rest periodsit down with the device for a few minutes and relax before you start. Of course you shouldn't come straight from exercise, and you should also leave some time between drinking coffee, taking a bath, smoking or eating and the measurement, as these can affect the values. Any nervousness that may affect the first reading is usually largely gone by a second measurement a few minutes later.

If you want a particularly realistic picture of your blood pressure, we recommend taking guideline-based measurements over several days. That means measuring your blood pressure every morning and evening while sitting on the edge of the bed, taking two readings each time about two minutes apart, and recording the results. If elevated values appear, you can discuss them with your GP and take any necessary measures.

BloodPressureDB supports you from the start. We help you choose a suitable blood pressure monitor and guide you through a guideline-based measurement so you can obtain the most accurate readings possible. Our blood pressure calculator shows you immediately whether the values you measured are normal or too high. In the BloodPressureDB app you can record and evaluate your data, set reminders for the next measurement, and keep track of your blood pressure over the long term.

Sources:

This article comes from BloodPressureDB – the leading app since 2011 that helps hundreds of thousands monitor their blood pressure every day. Our content is based on carefully researched, evidence-based data and is continuously updated (as of 10/2024).

Author Sabine Croci is a qualified medical assistant with many years of experience in internal medicine and cardiology practices as well as in outpatient care, and has led BloodPressureDB's specialist editorial team since 2015. Thanks to her extensive additional qualifications as a paramedic, first responder and in various therapy and emergency areas, she provides solid, practical and reliably reviewed information.

Do I have high blood pressure?

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