The right way of measuring blood pressure at home

The only way to know for sure if you have high blood pressure is to have your blood pressure measured. Many persons with high blood pressure are unaware they have the condition because there are typically no symptoms associated with it.

Ways to get blood pressure measured1:

Blood pressure can be determined in a variety of ways-

  • By one of the hospital's or clinic's medical staff members.
  • At a pharmacy with digital equipment if you want your blood pressure measured.
  • Using a home blood pressure monitor that the user administers themselves.

Instructions for using a blood pressure monitor at home2,3:

  • Stay still: Wait 30 minutes, and abstain from caffeine and strenuous activity before taking your blood pressure. Ensure that your bladder is empty and that you have rested for at least five minutes before taking any measurements.
  • Set your posture: Use a dining chair rather than a sofa to sit with your back straight and supported. Legs shouldn't be crossed, and feet should be flat on the floor. Your upper arm of yours should be at heart level and supported on a flat surface (such as a table). Ensure that the bottom of the cuff is positioned directly above the elbow's bend. You can find an example in the monitor's instructions or ask your doctor to walk you through it.
  • The readings should be taken every day at the same time, preferably in the morning and evening. Ideally, starting two weeks after a change in treatment and during the week leading up to your next appointment, it is best to take the readings daily.
  • Record multiple readings. Take two or three readings every time you measure, spaced a minute apart, and use a tracker that can be printed out to record the results. Bring your monitor with you to your appointments if it has built-in memory for storing your readings. After you register your profile, some monitors might also permit you to upload your readings to a secure website.
  • Never measure while wearing clothing.

Benefits of Monitoring Blood Pressure at Home2:

  • Anyone who has had their high blood pressure (HBP) or hypertension diagnosed.
  • Evaluation of new patients commencing medication for high blood pressure.
  • Those who need closer monitoring, particularly those who have conditions or risk factors for high blood pressure.
  • • Pregnant women who have preeclampsia or hypertension are brought on by pregnancy. Consideration of possible erroneous data, such as patients whose blood pressure is only elevated during office visits ("white coat" hypertension). Masked hypertension refers to cases in which a patient's blood pressure is high solely when they are at home.

Wearing:

Due to the potential for inaccurate measurement by electronic home blood pressure devices, people with atrial fibrillation or other arrhythmias may not be good candidates for home monitoring. Request a monitoring strategy that works for you from your doctor.

Reference:

  1. CDC. Measure Your Blood Pressure | cdc.gov. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Learn more (2022).
  2. Monitoring Your Blood Pressure at Home | American Heart Association. Learn more.
  3. Blood Pressure UK. Learn more.