How to Take Accurate Blood Pressure
Welcome to the UW Medicine Remote Patient Monitoring program! This packet includes information to help you take accurate blood pressure. You can always reach out to your care team with any questions.
How is blood pressure measured?
Blood pressure is explained with two numbers. For instance, your blood pressure might be "140 over 90”, also shown as 140/90. The first upper number is the pressure inside your arteries when your heart is contracting. The second lower number is the pressure inside your arteries when your heart is relaxed.
Here is the definition of normal and high blood pressure:
If your blood pressure is high for many months or years, it puts you at risk for a heart attack, stroke, and kidney disease. High blood pressure does not usually cause symptoms, but it can be serious. Refer to the If you get a high blood pressure reading section on what to do if this happens.
Blood Pressure Measurement Instructions
- Do not smoke, exercise, drink caffeinated beverages or alcohol within 30 minutes of measurement.
- Rest in the chair for at least 5 minutes with your left arm(do you want to say “one arm” since some might be better with right arm) resting comfortably on a flat surface at heart level. Sit calmly and do not talk.
- Make sure you are relaxed. Sit still in a chair with your feet flat on the floor with your back straight and supported.
- Place the blood pressure cuff on your arm as instructed by your healthcare provider. Some cuffs are placed above the bend of your elbow, some at your wrist.
- Do not take measurements over clothes.
- Measure blood pressure at the same time every day. Take your blood pressure readings when instructed by your healthcare provider, usually in the morning before taking medications and in the evening before dinner.
If you get a high blood pressure reading
- A single high reading is not an immediate cause for alarm. If you get a reading that is slightly or moderately higher than normal, take your blood pressure a few more times and consult with your healthcare provider to verify if there is a health concern or whether there may be any issues with your reader.
- If your blood pressure reading exceeds 180/110 mm hg, wait five minutes and test again. If your reading is still unusually high, contact your healthcare provider immediately. You could be experiencing a hypertensive crisis.
- If your blood pressure is higher than 180/110 mm Hg and you are experiencing chest pain, shortness of breath, back pain, numbness/weakness, changes in vision, difficult speaking, DO NOT wait to see if your blood pressure comes down on its own. CALL 911.
Tools and Support
Tutorial videos:
Monitoring Your Blood Pressure at Home | American Heart Association