How To Measure Blood Pressure

When numbers are quoted for blood pressure, these are for resting blood pressure.

There is a wide range of brief, temporary things that affect blood pressure.

1. Guidelines - prior to measuring to get resting blood pressure;

• Sit with back supported for about 5 minutes before taking a reading
• Sit with legs uncrossed
• Do not move while taking reading
• Do not talk while taking a reading
• Do not smoke for about 30 minutes before taking a reading
• Do not consume any caffeine (coffee, soda, tea etc.) for about 30 minutes before taking a reading
• Allow longer if you are very caffeine-sensitive or had a large amount of caffeine
• Preferably do not to eat for at least 30 minutes before taking reading
• Have an empty bladder

2. Guidelines - taking resting blood pressure readings

• For reading, the arm should be resting at heart height on a table, or other suitable prop
• If feasible your arm should be bare. If you cannot roll up your sleeve, clothing should not be tight or very bulky.
• Use the same arm each time, if only reading from one arm
• Generally, if possible you should use your left arm, if only reading one arm
• Follow the instructions for your monitor for cuff placement and use
• If there was any problem taking the reading, remove the cuff and wait at least one minute before taking another reading, or the next reading will not be accurate
• It is recommended that 2 readings be taken a couple of minutes apart. The 2 readings are then averaged



• Measure your blood pressure on a regular basis
• Keep a log of your blood pressure
• Digital blood pressure monitors, will eventually start to lose their calibration. It is recommended that when you visit your doctor, that you take your monitor and take your blood pressure at the office immediately before, or after, the office measurement. Then compare your reading to the “official” reading.

3. Once you have determined your resting blood pressure, you may find it useful and interesting to measure you blood pressure at other times and see what affects your blood pressure. For example:

• Does your blood pressure vary through the day?
• Do you have a morning surge?
• Compare your arms
• How does body position affect your blood pressure


• Does eating a low salt diet lower your blood pressure?
• What does smoking do to your blood pressure?
• What about a high caffeine drink?
• What about an alcoholic drink?


• Do you get white coat hypertension? How much is your blood pressure elevated in a healthcare setting?
• What does a high level of stress do to your blood pressure?
• When stressed can you lower your blood pressure by sitting and concentrating on your breathing for a few minutes?
• What other routine events/activities raise your blood pressure?