Blood Pressure Monitoring: What You Need to Know

Blood pressure is one of the most important vital signs for assessing cardiovascular health, yet it's also one of the most challenging to measure accurately outside clinical settings. This guide will help health coaches understand BP monitoring and how to use this data effectively with clients.

Understanding Blood Pressure

Blood pressure is measured in millimeters of mercury (mmHg) and expressed as two numbers:

• Systolic (top number) - Pressure when the heart contracts
• Diastolic (bottom number) - Pressure when the heart relaxes between beats

Classification Guidelines

The Challenge of Traditional Measurement

Conventional BP measurement has significant limitations:

White Coat Hypertension

Up to 30% of people show elevated BP in clinical settings that doesn't reflect their true average. This can lead to unnecessary treatment.

Masked Hypertension

Conversely, some people have normal office readings but elevated BP at home or work – missing a real cardiovascular risk.

Measurement Variability

BP fluctuates throughout the day based on:

• Activity level
• Stress and anxiety
• Caffeine and alcohol intake
• Medication timing
• Body position
• Bladder fullness

A single measurement captures only a snapshot.

The Promise of Continuous Monitoring

Cuffless, continuous blood pressure monitoring represents a paradigm shift. Instead of periodic snapshots, we can now observe:

• Diurnal patterns - Normal BP dips during sleep
• Activity responses - How BP changes with exercise
• Stress signatures - BP elevation during work hours
• Treatment effects - Real-time medication impact

The Corsano CardioWatch uses PPG-based pulse wave analysis to estimate BP continuously, calibrated against cuff measurements.

Best Practices for Health Coaches

1. Proper Calibration

Wearable BP estimation requires periodic calibration against a validated cuff device:

• Initial calibration during onboarding
• Re-calibration every 2-4 weeks
• Calibration after significant weight changes

2. Interpreting Trends vs. Absolutes

Focus on patterns rather than individual readings:

• Is BP consistently elevated in the afternoon?
• Does it spike during work hours?
• Is there appropriate nocturnal dipping (10-20% drop)?

3. When to Refer

As a health coach, recognize when medical referral is appropriate:

• Sustained readings >140/90 mmHg
• Any reading >180/120 mmHg (hypertensive crisis)
• Significant discrepancy between calibration and daily readings
• Symptoms like headaches, vision changes, or chest pain

4. Lifestyle Modifications

Evidence-based interventions for BP management:

Dietary Approaches:

• DASH diet (high fruits, vegetables, low sodium)
• Potassium-rich foods
• Limited alcohol (<2 drinks/day men, <1 women)
• Reduced caffeine if sensitive

Physical Activity:

• 150+ minutes moderate aerobic exercise weekly
• Resistance training 2-3 times weekly
• Avoid breath-holding during resistance exercises

Stress Management:

• Regular meditation or breathing exercises
• Adequate sleep (7-9 hours)
• Work-life balance adjustments

Weight Management:

• 1 mmHg reduction per kg of weight loss
• Central adiposity reduction particularly impactful

Limitations to Understand

No wearable BP measurement is perfect. Be aware of:

• Accuracy varies by skin tone and wrist size
• Motion artifact can corrupt readings
• Very high or very low BP may be less accurate
• Not a replacement for clinical measurement

Always use wearable BP data as one input among many, not as the sole basis for health decisions.

Conclusion

Blood pressure monitoring is evolving from periodic snapshots to continuous insight. For health coaches, this means better visibility into cardiovascular risk and more opportunities to guide meaningful lifestyle changes. Used thoughtfully, wearable BP data can significantly enhance client outcomes.

*Learn how Corsano Coach can help you monitor client blood pressure effectively. Schedule a demo or start your free trial.*