Topic Overview
The
U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends
screening for adults 18 and older for
high blood pressure.1
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
The Seventh Joint
National Committee (JNC 7) on Prevention, Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment
of High Blood Pressure recommends:2
- Healthy adults with normal blood pressure (119/79
mm Hg or below) should have their blood pressure checked at least every 1 to 2
years. This can be done during any routine medical visit.
- Adults
who are prehypertensive (120–139 and/or 80–89 mm Hg) should have their blood
pressure checked as often as recommended by their doctor or at least yearly.
This can be done during any routine medical visit.
- Adults with
other risk factors for heart disease or evidence of disease
caused by high blood pressure need to have their blood pressure checked more
often.
For more information, see the topics High Blood Pressure, Prehypertension, and Home Blood Pressure Test.
References
Citations
- U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (2007). Screening for high blood pressure. Available online: http://www.ahrq.gov/clinic/uspstf/uspshype.htm.
- Joint National Committee on Prevention, Detection,
Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Pressure (2003). Seventh Report of the Joint National Committee on Prevention, Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Pressure JNC Express
(NIH Publication No. 03–5233). Bethesda, MD: U.S. Department of Health and
Human Services.
Credits
| By | Healthwise Staff |
|---|
| Primary Medical Reviewer | E. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine |
|---|
| Specialist Medical Reviewer | Robert A. Kloner, MD, PhD - Cardiology |
|---|
| Last Revised | November 12, 2012 |
|---|
Last Revised:
November 12, 2012
U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (2007). Screening for high blood pressure. Available online: http://www.ahrq.gov/clinic/uspstf/uspshype.htm.
Joint National Committee on Prevention, Detection,
Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Pressure (2003). Seventh Report of the Joint National Committee on Prevention, Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Pressure JNC Express
(NIH Publication No. 03–5233). Bethesda, MD: U.S. Department of Health and
Human Services.