Make sure that the air hose attachment point is upwards and that the hose runs freely. Support your arm at approximately 90 degrees so that the cuff and heart are at the same level. Keep your hands relaxed. After attaching the cuff to the upper arm, cool down for approximately five minutes before measuring.
- Perform the measurement. Be quite relaxed. Do not speak or move during measurement. Repeat the measurement after 1 to 2 minutes and record both results.
- The mean values (separately for systolic and diastolic pressures) for morning, evening, and morning and evening measurements for the follow-up period are calculated and recorded. Always bring your blood pressure measurements with your doctor or nurse.
What You Can Do
You can use the Excel tables below to record your blood pressure. Click on the link that leads to Dropbox. Then select the Download function of the More button (3 points). Save the file as your computer. You can check systolic and diastolic values also.
- Home blood pressure monitoring over a 4 day measurement period
- Home blood pressure monitoring over a 7 day measurement period
During a home measurement, it is advisable to feel the pulse to determine its regularity or irregularity. For example, the pulse will feel well after you have applied the cuff, before measuring. An irregular pulse may be a sign of atrial fibrillation. Your blood pressure monitor gives you a heart rate reading, but not necessarily information about your heart rate. Many blood pressure monitors alert you to arrhythmias, so you should determine whether this is due to extra beats or atrial fibrillation. If the pulse is very irregular, the blood pressure monitor may give an error message.
Blood pressure is usually measured with a blood pressure monitor during a doctor’s visit. It is good to measure your blood pressure at home as well, as current home use meters are reliable.
Blood pressure varies from situation to situation. Blood pressure can be measured in health care or on your own at home.
To minimize discrepancies in your results, follow these steps:
- During a half-hour before measurement to avoid strenuous exercise, smoking and consumption of drinks containing caffeine (coffee, tea, colas).
- The measurement is made while the subject is sitting. The measuring hand can rest on the table.
- Ensure that the rubber part (cuff) of the meter which is wrapped around the upper arm is so large that it surrounds the upper arm.
- With the rubber part of the meter (cuff) wrapped around your upper arm, sit for 5 minutes.
- Only after these steps will the blood pressure be measured at least twice. It is advisable to take a 1-2 minute interval between measurements.
The final result is the average of the measurements
If you are measuring your blood pressure at home, it is a good idea to calculate the average of the measurements taken on four different days, which will give you an even more reliable result. It is a good idea to check your blood pressure monitor every two years. It can be checked at the health center or at the shop where the device was purchased. Only very small differences are accepted. Home meters cannot be repaired, so if there are any deviations in the results, you will need to buy a new device.
Blood pressure is often higher as measured by a physician due to tension or other causes. For this reason too, the measurement is usually made by a nurse. Generally, the average home measurement of 135/85 mmHg is 140/90 mmHg in health care.
