The lower edge of the cuff should be about 1 inch (2.5 cm) above the bend of your elbow. Wrap the blood pressure cuff around your bare upper arm.Sit with your arm slightly bent and resting comfortably on a table so that your upper arm is on the same level as your heart.Using an automatic blood pressure monitor After you get better at doing it, you probably will need to do it only once or twice each time. Wait 1 to 2 minutes between recordings to let the blood flow back into your arm. When you first start taking your blood pressure at home, always take your blood pressure 3 times. They decrease throughout the day and are lowest in the evening. They usually are highest in the morning after you wake up and move around. Remember that blood pressure readings vary throughout the day. Readings may be 10 to 20 mm Hg different between your right arm and your left arm. If you can, use the same arm for every reading.Try not to take your blood pressure if you are nervous or upset.Don't move or talk while you are measuring your blood pressure. Sit in a comfortable, relaxed position with both feet on the floor. Rest at least 5 minutes before you take a reading.And don't use any medicines that can raise blood pressure, such as certain nasal sprays. Don't eat, smoke, or exercise for at least 30 minutes.Even a small hole or crack in the tubing can lead to inaccurate results. Make sure all of the parts of your monitor are in good condition. footnote 1Ĭheck your blood pressure cuff often. And devices that use finger monitors aren't recommended at all. Wrist monitors should be used only by people who can't use arm cuffs for physical reasons. Blood pressure monitors used on the wrist aren't as reliable as those that use arm cuffs. You may have to measure your arm and choose a monitor that comes in the right size.Ī monitor that measures blood pressure in your arm is recommended for most people.
If the cuff is too small or too large, the results won't be right. The size of the blood pressure cuff and where you place it can greatly affect how accurate your device is. It's a good idea to have your device checked every year at the doctor's office. Ask your doctor or nurse to watch you use your device to make sure that you are doing it right and that it works right. Do this by comparing its readings with those you get at the doctor's office. When you first get a blood pressure device, check its accuracy. It involves using a stethoscope to listen to the heartbeat. This is the kind of device you usually see at the doctor's office. There are two types of blood pressure monitors: How to take your blood pressure at home Blood pressure monitors
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