Blood Pressure Reading Guide
A single blood-pressure reading does not establish a diagnosis.
SeafarerFit provides educational information, health calculators, screening tools and medical-examination preparation resources. It does not provide diagnosis, treatment, medical certification or official determination of fitness for sea service.
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Measuring blood pressure properly
- Avoid caffeine, smoking and exercise for 30 minutes beforehand.
- Sit quietly for 5 minutes with your back supported and feet flat on the floor.
- Rest your arm on a table at heart level and use the correct cuff size.
- Take two readings one minute apart and record both.
Different guidelines, different thresholds
The groupings in this tool follow the 2017 American College of Cardiology / American Heart Association guideline. Many other guidelines — including European and several national guidelines — define high blood pressure from 140/90 mmHg. Maritime medical standards are set separately by each competent authority, and only an authorized medical examiner can apply them to you.
Before your seafarer medical
If home readings are often high, see a healthcare professional before your examination rather than hoping for a good reading on the day. Bring any treatment information and records of your readings.
A single blood-pressure reading does not establish a diagnosis.
Sources
- American College of Cardiology / American Heart Association — 2017 Guideline for the Prevention, Detection, Evaluation, and Management of High Blood Pressure in Adults (opens in a new tab) (November 13, 2017)
- European Society of Hypertension — 2023 ESH Guidelines for the management of arterial hypertension (opens in a new tab) (June 21, 2023)
Links go to the original publishers. SeafarerFit is not affiliated with or endorsed by these organizations.