Begin with the measurement
Choose a validated upper-arm device and a cuff that fits. Sit quietly for five minutes. Place the cuff on a bare arm, with your back supported, feet flat, legs uncrossed and arm supported at heart level. Do not talk while measuring.
A home record that means something
When preparing a home record for review, take two measurements one minute apart, morning and evening for seven days, following your healthcare team’s instructions. Keep the complete record so the appropriate average can be calculated. Avoid caffeine, smoking and exercise beforehand, and empty your bladder.
Repeated measurements help separate a persistent pattern from a single anxious or rushed reading. Systolic pressure is the top number; diastolic pressure is the bottom number. Both are reported in mmHg.
Use the record in a clinical conversation
Diagnosis, medication decisions and treatment targets are related but different questions. Standardized technique, confirmation outside the clinic, cardiovascular risk and treatment tolerance all affect interpretation. A target also needs to account for symptoms such as dizziness, faintness and falls.
Do not change a medicine dose based on one reading. Bring the readings, device details and your medication list to your healthcare professional.