Blood Pressure Screening

Private Room Consultations

Haller’s Pharmacy has a private room where you and our Pharmacists can discuss your blood pressure results in private.

Please call us for information or schedule an appointment below.

Why Blood Screening is important

Testing your blood pressure allows us to measure the pressure in your arteries as your heart pumps. This is a good gauge of the health of your heart and your cardio systems, an important aspect of your overall health. Blood pressure tests are part of a routine assessment by your doctor or as a screening for high blood pressure (hypertension). You can also use a home blood pressure test to better track their heart health. Home Blood Pressure Testing Kits are available in our store.

Why we test

Your doctor routinely tests your blood pressure during your appointments and can be an important part of your general health. When should you have a blood pressure test?

• 18 and older with normal blood pressure and no heart disease risk factors should have a blood pressure test at least once every two to five years.

• Age 40 and older, or younger with an increased risk of high blood pressure should have blood pressure tested annually. Risk factors for high blood pressure include obesity and certain race factors.

• Those with chronic health conditions, such as high or low blood pressure or heart disease, may need to have blood pressure tests more often.

Risks and how to prepare

Blood pressure tests are simple, quick and usually painless. The blood pressure cuff squeezes your arm while it inflates and while some people find this slightly uncomfortable the feeling lasts for only a short time

There are no special preparations needed for a blood pressure test but the following may help you obtain the most accurate measurement:

• Do not smoke, exercise or drink caffeinated beverages for 30 minutes to an hour before the test.

• Consider wearing a short-sleeved shirt so that the blood pressure cuff can be placed more easily around your arm.

• Relax in a chair for at least five minutes before the test.

• Tell your doctor about the medications you take. Some drugs may affect your blood pressure.

What you can expect

During the procedure a physician, nurse or technician will take your blood pressure while you are seated in a chair with your feet flat on the floor and your arm rested on a table at heart level.

The blood pressure cuff is wrapped around the top part of your arm and just above your elbow. During the test, the cuff is inflated and deflated and the test administrator places a stethoscope over the major artery in your upper arm (brachial artery) to listen to blood flow.

The test normally takes about one minute to get a blood pressure measurement. If your blood pressure is high or low, you'll need to have at least three more blood pressure tests, spaced at least a week apart, to determine if you need treatment.

Please note that blood pressure can vary from moment to moment and day to day.

Results

Your test administer can tell you your blood pressure results immediately. The blood pressure measurement has two numbers:

• Systolic — The top number is the pressure of the blood flow when your heart muscle contracts, pumping blood.

• Diastolic — The bottom number is the pressure measured between heartbeats.

Here's a look at blood pressure categories and what they mean. If your top and bottom numbers fall into two different ranges, your correct blood pressure category is the higher one.