Measuring blood pressure is an important part of monitoring one's health, but it's important to do it correctly. Here are our recommendations for measuring blood pressure both in the doctor's office and at home:
Use an automated electronic (oscillometric) device that is validated according to an established protocol. A device that takes triplicate readings automatically is preferred.
The selection of an appropriate cuff size is crucial for accurate blood pressure measurement and depends on the arm circumference of each individual. A cuff that is too small overestimates blood pressure, while a cuff that is too large underestimates it. When using automated electronic devices, select the cuff size according to the device's instructions.
Remain seated and relaxed for 3-5 minutes
Take 3 readings with 1 minute interval between the readings and use the average of the last 2 readings
At the initial visit, measure blood pressure in both arms.
Measure blood pressure in the morning and the evening for 3-7 days. Use the average of all readings, excluding the first day.
There is strong data linking out-of-office blood pressure with cardiovascular disease, and it is used in most observational and interventional outcome trials in hypertension.
Remember to always consult with your healthcare provider if you have any concerns about your blood pressure.
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