Superstar rap artists, Daz EFX once said “Check yourself before you wreck yourself”. They were not talking about your heart rate nor your blood pressure! But I think its good advice when it comes to heart rate and blood pressure: checking it frequently is a good idea.
Many factors come to play in elevating blood pressure levels: heart, blood vessels, diet, habits, age, health and fitness, and so on. However, doing a self check can help detect problems before they escalate. Home heart rate monitors are inexpensive, easy to use, and accurate. For someone recently diagnosed with hypertension, checking blood pressure several times a week is recommended.
To ensure an accurate reading, sit quietly for at least 10 minutes before taking your pulse. Caffeine, anxiety, rushing up a flight of stairs, or even just going to the doctors office, or thinking about your bill can raise blood pressure levels temporarily. So sitting still for a few minutes will allow blood pressure to settle back down.
To find your resting heart rate, press a pressure point like on the side of the neck under the ear, or the index and middle fingers over the underside of the opposite wrist, just below the thumb. Press down gently to feel a pulse. Count the beats for 15 seconds, and multiply by four. The number you get is your resting heart rate. See BP Ranges for safe levels.