Blood pressure screening
Screening tests and programs for high blood pressure vary widely in reliability. Results from automated blood pressure testing, such as you might do at a grocery store or pharmacy, may not be accurate. Any high blood pressure measurement discovered during a blood pressure screening program needs to be confirmed by a doctor or another health professional.
Rechecking blood pressure
Experts recommend:1
- Healthy adults keep their blood pressure below 140/90 mm Hg. They should have their blood pressure checked at routine medical visits.
- Adults with high-normal blood pressure (130–139 and/or 85–89 mm Hg) should have their blood pressure checked as often as recommended by their doctor, or at least annually. This can be done during any routine medical visit.
- Adults with other risk factors for heart or blood vessel disease or evidence of disease caused by high blood pressure need to have their blood pressure checked more often.
For more information, see the topic High Blood Pressure (Hypertension).
| Author: | Carrie Henley Robin Parks, MS | Last Updated: July 30, 2007 |
| Medical Review: | Anne C. Poinier, MD - Internal Medicine Caroline S. Rhoads, MD - Internal Medicine Stephen Fort, MD, MRCP, FRCPC - Interventional Cardiology Robert A. Kloner, MD, PhD - Cardiology Ruth Schneider, MPH, RD - Diet and Nutrition | |
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