BP tracker

I have a question about the BP tracker.  You are only permitted one entry per day.  Okay.  Since BP tends to have it's only cycle on top of minute to minute fluctuations, what time of the day should that beand how long should you sit quiet before the reading?  If a person sits long enough (say 30 minutes), it can come down 20-30 points.  

[erijon]

It really doesn't matter when you take it, just take it at the same time each day. I take mine in the evening at 8:00 PM, others say first thing in the morning, you are looking for the trend. Feel free to check out my BP Tracker.

Also, you should wait about 3 to 5 minutes after you settle down before you should take your BP. I think the tracker is a great tool, I use it every day.

Jon

[NTB]

> If a person sits long enough (say 30 minutes), it can come down 20-30 points.  

sounds then like you might benefit from relaxation therapy. There was an almost famous book called The Relaxation Response. (I didn't actually read it myself.) There are probably many other similar ones now.

When I get wired up, and BP is higher than my normal IDH, then "progressive relaxation" will lower my SDP maybe 10 points.

As Jon says, 3-5 minutes is the usual, in a doc's office or in studies - which is meant to get past any short term physically caused elevation from just walking etc

There are guidelines somewhere at the AHA on how to take BP.

[LuvToHike]

You are probably right, relax (palm trees, a soft warm breeze, a hammock, the water lapping at the beach and a good book, ahhh).  

I thought everybody's bp fluctuated like that.  I could be sitting relaxed and have say 110/72, get up walk through the house sit down again and it could be 130/80.  Isn't that normal.  I still don't get the fluctuation thing, hence the tracker question.  For example, if I sit to take my BP and just for the heck of it take it immediately, it could be the 130/80 (give or take), in 5 minutes it could be 127/85 then 5 minutes later 123/80, then after the full half hour, it could be 115/75.  It steps its way down.  At what point should I record the BP?  After 5 minutes, it could still be somewhat elevated.