Blood pressure monitoring
Measuring your blood pressure is an important part of assessing cardiovascular health because raised blood pressure (hypertension) is a very common cause of cardiovascular disease. It is estimated that one in three people in the UK suffer from hypertension, so this is a common problem.
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What is it for?
Measure and monitor blood pressure
Treatment overview
Along with high cholesterol, hypertension is an easily treatable risk factor for cardiovascular disease, so blood pressure measurement is one of the simplest and most effective tests that we have in terms of disease prevention.
At The London Clinic, we have several different ways of measuring blood pressure, each of which is used in different circumstances.
Besides using a cuff as described above, there are several other ways to measure your blood pressure:
- Ambulatory 24-hour blood pressure monitoring
- Digital sphygmomanometers
- Portable blood pressure monitors
It is important to note that high blood pressure can only be diagnosed by measuring it, since most people have no symptoms at all, even when their blood pressure is very high.
Why choose The London Clinic
Excellence in one place
We operate as teams of experts with world-class resources dedicated to maintaining the highest standards of medical care. You are surrounded by the latest treatments and advice with everything you need to get back to your best health.
Personal care, every time
Exceptional patient care is a way of life for us. Our nurses, clinicians and support teams are dedicated to the care of a very small number of patients, so have more time for you. They’ll be with you every step of the way, tailoring your care around you and giving the peace-of-mind that comes with knowing you’re in the best hands.
Effortlessly simple
We work together as one to guide you through each step of your experience, with complexities unravelled and answers readily to hand. Your personal treatment plan will be laid out for you, with all the details taken care of so you can focus on you.
What's included in your package?
Choosing The London Clinic means your treatment plan will be laid out for you, with all the details taken care of so you can focus on you.
Your treatment package will include:
- Enhanced pre-admission assessment
- Your treatment with our complete care team at your fingertips
- Personalised aftercare and follow-up
We want you to be in control of your health. That’s why we also offer optional services such as comprehensive recovery packages and extra touches for you to choose from during your stay with us.
How to pay
- You can use private medical insurance (PMI) to access this treatment. We work with all major PMI providers in the UK and many internationally
- You can pay for yourself (self-pay)
- If you’re paying for yourself, we have finance options available with Chrysalis
FAQs
When your heart beats, it pumps blood that contains oxygen around your body so that your cells can function.
As the blood is pumped through your arteries, it pushes against the vessel walls, which are muscular and flexible.
The degree to which your blood pushes against the artery walls is known as your blood pressure.
The more forcefully the blood is pumped, the more the artery walls are stretched and the higher your blood pressure will be.
Blood pressure is written as two numbers that are recorded in millimetres of mercury (mmHg), for example, 120/80 mmHg.
The first number measures the maximum (systolic) pressure of your arteries at the moment when your heart beats, while the second number measures the lowest (diastolic) pressure of your arteries between heartbeats when your heart is resting.
Your blood pressure is measured using a device called a sphygmomanometer. This device contains an inflatable cuff, a rubber bulb, and a measuring dial.
First, your doctor or nurse will secure the cuff to your upper arm and place a stethoscope on the arteries inside your elbow.
Next, he or she will pump the bulb attached to the cuff so that it inflates and constricts around your arm.
At this point, the cuff will be released, and as your doctor hears the sound of blood flowing back down your arm through the stethoscope, they will take a reading of your systolic pressure from the measuring dial.
Once this rushing sound has subsided, your doctor will record your diastolic pressure from the dial.