Monitoring Your Blood Pressure at Home? You're Probably Doing at Least One of These Wrong

Talking, crossing your legs, a full bladder, even your morning coffee can skew your results. Consistently bad readings can lead to the wrong treatment or a real problem going unnoticed. Getting it right takes less than 10 minutes:

• Use an upper arm monitor with a properly sized cuff. 
• Skip exercise, smoking, caffeine and food for 30 minutes before.
• Use the bathroom — a full bladder can raise your numbers.
• Remove clothing or roll up the sleeve on the testing arm.
• Pick a quiet spot away from noise, conversation and screens.
• Sit in a chair with back support (not a couch or bed).
• Keep both feet flat on the floor with legs uncrossed.
• Rest your arm on a table, palm up, with the cuff at heart level.
• Sit quietly for five minutes before you start.
• Don’t talk, text or watch screens during the reading.
• Take two readings a minute apart and average them.
• Log the date, time, blood pressure and heart rate.
• Check as often as your provider recommends and bring your log to office visits.

The MNPS Health Care Centers can help you choose a home monitor, offer lifestyle tips and prescribe medication to help you manage your blood pressure.

Shopping for a monitor?

Skip wrist and finger monitors — they’re convenient but less reliable. Instead, choose an upper arm model that’s been independently tested for accuracy. Bring your monitor to your next appointment so your provider can make sure it’s giving accurate readings.

Sources: American Heart Association/American College of Cardiology; American Heart Association