Guidelines to Measuring Blood Pressure at Home for Most Accurate Readings

Follow these guidelines to get the most accurate reading when measuring your blood pressure at home:

• Take a 5 minute rest before measuring
• Don’t smoke or drink caffeine for at least 30 minutes beforehand
• Don’t measure your blood pressure when you are upset or in pain
• If needed empty your bladder or bowel before starting
• Sit quietly with your feet flat on the floor and back resting against the back of a chair or a firm surface for at least 5 minutes before and during measurement
• Be consistent, use the same arm each time.
• Remove bulky or tight clothing from your arm completely
• Wrap the blood pressure cuff snugly around your bare upper arm with the edge of the cuff about 1 or 2 cm above your elbow
• 2 fingers should fit between the blood pressure cuff and your arm
• Place your arm on a table or a firm surface. The cuff should be at the level of your heart
• Do not talk or watch TV during the test
• Take one reading and record your blood pressure

Bring a record of your readings to your next appointment with your Scarborough family doctor

Source: Heart & Stroke Foundation http://www.heartandstroke.com/