Your Blood Pressure Is Probably Inaccurate, Says An MD

April 29, 2023

Blood pressure is one of those metabolic health markers you probably don’t think too much about unless you have a specific concern. Part of the reason people often ignore this factor until it’s pressing is because you have to measure your levels to know whether or not it should be a focus point, be it at the doctor or at home. 

You may assume that whatever measurement you receive at the doctor is more accurate than an at-home method, but that might not be the case. On a recent episode of the mindbodygreen podcast, longevity-focused doctor and author of Outlive, Peter Attia, M.D., explains the disconnect. 

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Given the medical-grade equipment and expert-led protocol, why wouldn’t the measurement at your doctor’s office be the most accurate? Well, according to Attia, the explanation is twofold. “When you go to the doctor’s office, you’re not really getting an accurate blood pressure,” he declares. 

Firstly, you’re probably a bit nervous. “You’re very susceptible to ‘white coat hypertension1,’” Attia calls it. Essentially, the nervous energy simply from being at the doctor can easily skew your results. 

“Even if you’re not [nervous], rarely is a protocol correctly used for measuring blood pressure,” Attia continues. Now, this isn’t to fault your doctor who is likely doing the best they can with the time and situation at-hand. 

Still, you’re likely not in the best state for an accurate read. Firstly, your arm has to be at the exact same level as your heart: “It can’t be above it; it can’t be below it,” Attia notes. Your legs should also remain uncrossed—a detail some practitioners may forget during their rounds. 

What’s more, a rest period pre-measure is essential: “You need to be resting for five minutes before you get your blood pressure checked,” Attia says. This means no talking, no movement, and a clear mind (read: no nervous thoughts). 

In Attia’s practice, the most successful readings have actually been those that patients conduct at home. So he recommends measuring your blood pressure with an at-home device, if you can, and keeping a log.

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1. Get a monitor: First, you’ll need a trusted blood pressure monitor, like the A&D Medical Multi User Blood Pressure Monitor. To ensure your monitor is a worthy purchase, look through this list from ValidateBP for validated devices (spoiler: The A&D monitor fits the bill!). 
2. Stay consistent: Attia recommends measuring your blood pressure every day, twice a day. Make sure to have a five minute rest period, line up your arm with your heart, never measure when you’re nervous or stressed, and always keep your legs uncrossed. 
3. Keep a journal: Write down your blood pressure in a journal every time you measure. This way, you can identify your base readings and have it on-hand should you want to share it with your doctor. 

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• Exercise: Research shows that regular exercise can help manage blood pressure2. This doesn’t mean you have to pick up running if you hate it; just commit to exercising a few times a week in any way you like. (We always say that the best exercise is the one that you’ll do!)
• Eat a balanced diet: According to the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI)3, “The strongest evidence for lowering blood pressure or preventing hypertension through dietary intervention includes adopting a dietary pattern such as the DASH diet or a Mediterranean diet, eating less saturated fat and total fat, getting plenty of potassium, limiting the amount of sodium in the diet, and limiting alcohol consumption.” 
• Prioritize omega-3’s: As the FDA notes, consuming omega-3’s (both EPA and DHA forms) has been shown to lower blood pressure and reduce the risk of hypertension. To be sure you get enough, consider an omega-3 heart supplement—here are a few worthwhile options to consider.  

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