Date: May 18, 2021
(Featured on Citizen TV Kenya): Hypertension is Kenyans’ silent killer as many unknowingly live with the condition.
(Featured on K24 TV Kenya)-Swahili: Vifo 758 vya COVID-19 vilichangiwa na Shinikizo ya Damu
(K24 TV Kenya)-English: Hypertension is Kenyans’ silent killer as many unknowingly live with the condition
Your doctor will ask questions about your medical history and do a physical examination. The doctor, nurse or other medical assistant will place an inflatable arm cuff around your arm and measure your blood pressure using a pressure-measuring gauge.
Your blood pressure generally should be measured in both arms to determine if there is a difference. It’s important to use an appropriate-sized arm cuff.
Both numbers in a blood pressure reading are important. But after age 50, the systolic reading is even more important. Isolated systolic hypertension is a condition in which the diastolic pressure is normal (less than 80 mm Hg) but systolic pressure is high (greater than or equal to 130 mm Hg). This is a common type of high blood pressure among people older than 65.
Because blood pressure normally varies during the day and may increase during a doctor visit (white coat hypertension), your doctor will likely take several blood pressure readings at three or more separate appointments before diagnosing you with high blood pressure.