To ensure a reliable reading follow these recommendations:
1.
Avoid eating, drinking alcohol, smoking, exercising, and bathing for30 minutes prior to taking a measurement.
Rest for at least 15 minutes prior to taking the measurement.
2.
Stress raises blood pressure.
Avoid taking measurements duringstressful times.
3.
Measurements should be taken in a quiet place.
4.
Remove tight-fitting clothing from your arm.
5.
Sit on a chair with your feet flat on the floor.
Rest your arm on a table so that the cuff is at the same level as your heart.
6.
Remain still and do not talk during the measurement.
7.
Keep a record of your blood pressure and pulse readings for your physician.
A single measurement may not provide an accurate indication of your true blood pressure.
You need to take and recordseveral readings over a period of time.
Try to measure your blood pressure at about the same time each day for consistency.