About two million Finns have elevated blood pressure, and the only way to determine your blood pressure levels is to measure or have them measured.
Approximately two million adults in Finland are affected by elevated blood pressure. The article emphasizes that the only way to know your blood pressure status is through measurement. Various methods and practices for accurately measuring blood pressure at home are presented, including the importance of measuring from both arms initially.
Mari Blek-Vehkaluoto, an expert from the Finnish Heart Association, explains that while blood pressure can be measured from either arm, discrepancies between the arms warrant further attention. If there is more than a 10 mmHg difference, the arm with the higher reading should be used for subsequent measurements. It highlights the challenges in determining the discrepancy effectively and emphasizes the need for consistency in measurement to understand true blood pressure levels.
The article also provides practical advice on home blood pressure measurement, including recommendations to avoid heavy physical activity, smoking, and alcohol consumption at least thirty minutes prior to measuring blood pressure. This is crucial to ensure accurate readings, consequently supporting the need for public awareness regarding hypertension and its risks in the Finnish population.
