Blood Pressure Average Formula:
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Definition: Mean Systolic Blood Pressure (SBP) and Diastolic Blood Pressure (DBP) represent the average values from multiple blood pressure readings.
Purpose: Calculating averages provides a more accurate picture of blood pressure than single readings, reducing the impact of temporary fluctuations.
The calculator uses the formula:
Steps:
Clinical Significance: Hypertension diagnosis typically requires elevated readings on multiple occasions. Averaging helps identify true patterns.
Accuracy: Averages minimize the effects of white coat hypertension or temporary stressors.
Tips:
Q1: How many readings should I average?
A: Clinical guidelines typically recommend averaging 2-3 readings per session over multiple sessions.
Q2: Should I include all readings or just the high ones?
A: Include all properly taken readings for an accurate average, unless instructed otherwise by your doctor.
Q3: What's a normal average blood pressure?
A: Generally, average SBP should be <120 mmHg and DBP <80 mmHg, but consult your healthcare provider.
Q4: How does this differ from MAP (Mean Arterial Pressure)?
A: MAP is a weighted average emphasizing diastolic pressure, while this calculates simple arithmetic means.
Q5: Should morning and evening readings be averaged separately?
A: Yes, it's often helpful to calculate separate averages for different times of day to identify patterns.