In our practice, we often see a common misconception: that the single blood pressure reading we get at the doctor's office tells the full story of your heart health. It's a natural assumption, but the truth is, your blood pressure is a bit like your mood – it naturally fluctuates throughout the day!
In view of this, new guidelines from leading health organisations like the American Heart Association (AHA) and American College of Cardiology (ACC) emphasise that one reading is often not enough to diagnose or manage high blood pressure.
It’s a bit more complex, and understanding this can make a big difference in how your blood pressure is managed.
Think of it this way: your blood pressure naturally fluctuates throughout the day due to various factors. Stress, movement, and even the "white coat effect" (nerves when you're at the doctor's office) can temporarily push your numbers up, potentially leading to a misdiagnosis.
That's why the new guidelines are unambiguous: your office blood pressure (BP) should be based on the average of at least two careful readings, obtained on at least two separate occasions (at least one minute apart)
This approach helps minimise errors and provides a much more accurate picture of your "true" and usual blood pressure level. For consistent understanding, blood pressure is categorised into specific levels:
Normal (