Peter Attia, M.D., is a longevity expert and creator of
BLOOD-PRESSURE MANAGEMENT isnt a sexy topic like anti-aging drugs or DNA-based diets, but it has enormous implications for health and life span. And because lifestyle factors have such a profound impact, everyone has the power to take steps toward controlling and improving their BP. Its bread-and-butter primary-care medicinebut a critical part of the longevity playbook.
High blood pressure is a silent killer. There are no symptoms, yet over time the effects of high blood pressure can compound, elevating risk for heart attacks and other serious health concerns, including stroke and dementia. For this reason, managing blood pressure relatively early in life is critical, but many people arent even aware of their BP status. Though nearly half of all adults in the United States have hypertensiondefined as a blood pressure with a systolic reading at or above 130 mm Hg and a diastolic reading at or above 80 mm Hg (see below)only about one in four among this group have their condition under control.
While standard medical wisdom once advised treating to a target of <140/<90, the landmark SPRINT study found that bringing BP down to <120/<80 resulted in huge reductions in the risk of heart attack, stroke, and death from all causes. So when it comes to keeping BP in check, an aggressive approach provides the most benefitsbut where do we begin?
Blood Pressure Categories
NORMAL: < 120 mm Hg (Systolic); < 80 mm Hg (Diastolic)
ELEVATED: 120129 mm Hg (Systolic); < 80 mm Hg (Diastolic)
STAGE 1 HYPERTENSION: 130139 mm Hg (Systolic); 140 mm Hg (Diastolic)
STAGE 2 HYPERTENSION: 8089 mm Hg (Systolic); 90 mm Hg
To manage your BP, you first need to know where youre starting. While a one-time measurement might provide a rough estimate, blood pressure is subject to acute fluctuations based on hydration, stress level, posture, caffeine intake, sleep deprivation, and other variables, so a more accurate picture requires multiple measurements over a span of days. I advise patients to use a home device to check BP twice a day, at the same time each morning and evening, for at least two weeks. The average of those readings will provide a much more accurate reference value than any one-time check. From there, you can monitor changes with weekly or even monthly checks, each time taking one measurement in the morning and one in the evening. The goal in checking frequently is to recognize increases as quickly as possible to facilitate faster intervention.
The gold standard for measuring BP is with a cuff and stethoscope, but this manual method can be intimidating to learn. In my experience, automated cuffs can overestimate BP because they work on an algorithm that estimates systolic and diastolic blood pressure from a measured mean arterial pressure (average BP, essentially), but they are generally good alternatives. Ive used both the Withings (withings.com; BPM Connect, $130) and Omron (amazon.com; M3 model, $80) brand cuffs.
Because so many variables affect BP, its important to follow the same protocol for every measurement:
Sit with your back supported for five minutes before measuring. (This can feel like a long time, since you should not be looking at your phone or speaking.)
Do not cross your legs.
Check that the cuff is against your skin and fits well.
Avoid talking during the check.
Note: Having a full bladder can bump up your BP by 10 to 15 mm Hg.
This story appears in the November 2023 issue of Men's Health.
Author
Peter Attia, MD, is the author of the New York Times Bestseller, Outlive: The Science and Art of Longevity and is host of the popular health and medicine podcast, The Drive. He received his medical degree from the Stanford University School of Medicine and trained at the Johns Hopkins Hospital in general surgery. Hes the founder of Early Medical, a medical practice that helps patients lengthen their lifespan and simultaneously improve their healthspan.
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How to Accurately Measure Blood Pressure, According to Dr. Peter ... - Men's Health
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