The Importance of Regular Blood Pressure Monitoring and Related Tests

Hypertension affects 30% individuals in India according to the research of the World Health Organization. However, they are unaware of their condition until complications arise. The impact of regular blood pressure monitoring is considered as a precaution to reduce the risk of stroke, heart attack, and organ damage. This article shares an overview of the importance of blood pressure as a vital health indicator, its impact on major organs such as the heart, kidneys, and brain, and highlights the prevalence of hypertension in India.

What Is Blood pressure?

The force exerted by the blood flow against artery walls is called blood pressure. Blood pressure is measured in the following terms: systolic (pressure during heartbeats) and diastolic (pressure between beats). A normal blood pressure range is ideally below 120/80 mmHg, though slight variations exist by age and gender.

Hormonal changes during pregnancy or menopause require close monitoring as the normal bp for women changes. Understanding what causes this increase in pressure is the next important step in managing cardiovascular health.

What Causes High Blood pressure (BP)?

1. Dietary Habits: Excessive salt, saturated fats, and low fruit/vegetable intake can cause high BP.
2. Lifestyle: Physical inactivity, especially a sedentary lifestyle that includes sitting for long hours, smoking, and excessive use of alcohol, are signs of an unhealthy lifestyle.
3. Weight: Obesity increases strain on the cardiovascular system.

All these factors lead to the development of hypertension in individuals, even at a very young age.

What is Hypertension and How is it Related to Blood pressure?

Blood pressure is the exertion applied by blood against the walls of blood vessels. When it remains consistently high, which is above 130/80 mmHg-it is known as hypertension or high blood pressure.

This elevated blood pressure makes the heart work harder to pump blood throughout the body. Factors such as age, family history, lifestyle choices, and medical conditions can increase the risk of developing hypertension. Knowing who is more likely to develop high blood pressure helps focus efforts on prevention and early detection.

Which Individuals Are More Prone to Hypertension?

The following factors are common among individuals who are more prone to hypertension:

1. Age – People over 40 years of age are more prone to contracting hypertension.
2. Ethnicity – The African and the Asian community, have a higher risk of developing hypertension due to genetics and lifestyle risks.
3. Health conditions – Having diseases like diabetes or kidney ailments make individuals more prone to hypertension.
4. Lifestyle – People living a sedentary lifestyle and poor diet intake may develop hypertension during their early years.

How is Hypertension Diagnosed?

Hypertension is diagnosed through multiple steps:

1. Blood pressure measurement.
2. Blood pressure monitoring on different days and noting down readings.
3. Physical examination.
4. Ambulatory or home blood pressure monitoring.
5. Blood tests (kidney function, electrolytes, cholesterol, glucose).
6. Urine tests.

It is important to understand the various tests involved in blood pressure monitoring and undertaking related health checks.

What Are the Main Tests for Blood pressure and Related Health Checks?

Following are the essential tests for blood pressure and related health checks:

1. Ambulatory Blood pressure Monitoring (ABPM) – The test measures blood pressure in intervals over a day during different hours and after different activities. The testing provides a detailed picture of blood pressure range fluctuations and helps to identify if the blood pressure range stays in the normal blood pressure range.
2. Home Blood pressure Monitoring (HBPM) – Individuals need to check their blood pressure range at home on time in this test.
3. Complete Blood Count (CBC) – CBC is a blood test that checks overall health but does not measure blood pressure; however, it supports diagnosis by identifying related health issues.

Other important tests include:

1. Lipid profile (cholesterol and triglycerides)
2. Fasting blood glucose and HbA1c (blood sugar tests)
3. Kidney function tests (including creatinine and urea)
4. Electrolyte tests (sodium, potassium, chloride)
5. C-reactive protein (CRP) test
6. Thyroid function tests

These tests for BP are recommended by healthcare professionals to get a clear picture of heart and organ health and to support regular blood pressure monitoring using devices like Omron blood pressure tester or any other bp monitor.

Regular blood pressure monitoring is vital because it enables early detection of high blood pressure. Individuals should keep a check on their blood pressure by using devices like an Omron blood pressure tester regularly. If there are symptoms of hypertension it is important to consult a healthcare provider and book a lipid profile test with Dr Lal PathLabs for accurate diagnosis.

Download the Dr Lal PathLabs app today.

FAQs

Q1. How many times do I check my blood pressure?

Adults over the age of 40 or with risk factors should monitor high blood pressure test monthly. Others can opt for annual blood pressure monitoring.

Q2. Can home blood pressure monitoring replace clinic visits?

Home blood pressure monitoring supplements but doesn’t replace professional assessments, especially for diagnosis.

Q3. What’s the ideal blood pressure range for adults?

An ideal blood pressure monitoring range would be <120/80 mmHg. High readings (>135/85 at home) warrant medical advice and attention.