There are several simple steps you should take to make sure that your home blood pressure readings are as accurate as possible.
Before you take your reading:
There are many factors that can make your blood pressure rise for a short period of time. You should not smoke, have a drink containing caffeine (such as coffee) or exercise for 30 minutes before you take your blood pressure reading. You should also avoid measuring your blood pressure when you need to use the toilet.
It is important that you always measure your blood pressure in the same arm. You should use the arm which your doctor or nurse uses when they take your blood pressure, or whichever arm they ask you to use.
Do not wear any tight or restrictive clothing around the arm you are measuring your blood pressure in. For example, you should avoid rolling up tight shirt sleeves.
You should rest for at least five minutes before measuring your blood pressure. During this time you should sit down in a quiet place, try to relax and avoid speaking to anyone.
Taking your reading:
Place the cuff on your arm, following the instructions that came with your monitor. The bottom of the cuff should be approximately 2cm above the bend in your elbow. Comfortable, with no distractions or talking Make sure that you are sitting down when taking your blood pressure readings and that you have both of your feet flat on the floor. You should not cross your legs as this can raise your blood pressure. The arm that you are measuring your blood pressure Arm supported at heart level in should be support on a firm surface (such as a table or desk) with your palm facing up and should be at the same level as your heart.
Take a reading, following the instructions that came with your
monitor. When taking your blood pressure readings you should not talk and should try to relax. Seated with back support Take at least two readings, leaving at least a minute between each. After each measurement, you should write the reading down in your diary. Remember to write down the exact numbers Feet flat on the floor that appear on the screen- do not round the numbers up or down. If the first two readings you take are very different, take 2 or 3 further readings. You should write all of your readings down in your blood pressure diary.
This resource is a joint production of the NIHR Collaboration for Leadership in Applied Health Research and Care (CLAHRC) Greater Manchester and the British Hypertension Society
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