How-to guide · Upper arm blood pressure monitors

How to measure blood pressure at home

Before taking a reading, leave time to rest, check the cuff size, and get into a position you can hold comfortably. Record both readings according to your healthcare professional’s instructions.

This guide covers automatic upper arm monitors for adults. Follow your model’s manual and the directions you receive from your healthcare professional.

Before you start

The American Heart Association recommends an automatic upper arm monitor with a cuff that fits. If you are choosing a monitor, check the exact model and the cuff range. The wrong cuff size can affect the reading.

Avoid smoking, caffeine, and exercise for 30 minutes beforehand. Empty your bladder and sit somewhere quiet. Rest for five minutes before measuring. Keep your log and monitor manual nearby.

Set up a chair with back support and a surface for your arm. If the table is low, a firm pillow can help position the cuff at heart level. Keep your log, a clock, and the directions nearby so you do not have to get up once you start resting.

Set up the monitor, chair, and log before your rest period. Choose a spot where you can support your back and rest your arm on a table without lifting your shoulder. If your health care professional gave you a schedule, write down when to take each set of readings.

How to measure your arm for a cuff

Find the midpoint between the shoulder and elbow.
Measure around your arm. Wrap a tape measure around the upper arm without squeezing. Write down the measurement in inches or centimeters, whichever your cuff uses.
Check the range. Make sure your measurement falls within the range printed on the cuff. Confirm the part number if you need a replacement.

Compare the measurement with the range printed on the cuff. If it is near one end of the range, measure your arm again before choosing. For a replacement, also match the accessory code to the monitor model in the manual.

Read the cuff label and compare it with your arm measurement before you put it on. If you share the monitor, measure each person. Check the validation listing and manual for the exact monitor and cuff you will use.

How to sit and position the cuff

Sit with your back supported, feet flat on the floor, and legs uncrossed.
Put the cuff on your bare arm. Support your arm so the cuff is at heart level.
Use the diagram in the manual to line up the cuff edge and position marker. Keep your arm still and stay quiet during the reading.

Use the diagram for your monitor to place the cuff marker and tube. Rest your arm on the table. Set your phone aside and avoid talking while the cuff inflates and deflates. If you need to reposition the cuff, get back into the recommended sitting position before taking the next reading.

Adjust the chair or place a support under your arm if the table leaves the cuff below heart level. Keep your feet flat on the floor and your legs uncrossed. Place the cuff on bare skin and orient it as the instructions show.

Take two readings one minute apart

If the monitor supports multiple profiles, select yours before you start. Follow the manual to begin a reading and wait until it finishes. If the monitor displays an error, check the manual for the cause.

The American Heart Association recommends taking two readings one minute apart and recording both. If your healthcare professional gave you a specific schedule or procedure, follow that plan.

Write down the two readings in the order you took them. If the monitor also calculates an average, label the average and the individual readings separately in your log. That makes the record easier to review with your health professional later.

During the one-minute wait, stay in the same position and keep your arm on the same support. Record both readings when you finish. If the monitor shows an average, keep the individual readings too if you can retrieve them or see them at the time.

Keep a record you can review

Write down the date, time, systolic pressure (SYS), diastolic pressure (DIA), and pulse rate if requested. Note any circumstances that could have affected the reading. If the monitor displays an average, label it as an average.

You can use paper, the monitor’s memory, or a compatible app. Make sure you can identify the date and time for each reading. When someone else uses the device, check that the selected profile matches the person who took the reading before syncing.

Common mistakes to correct

Measuring over clothing. Expose the upper arm and make sure the sleeve does not squeeze it.
Holding your arm up. Support it at heart level throughout the reading.
Mixing different users’ readings. Choose the right profile and write down both readings.

If your readings vary, check for a bare upper arm, cuff placement, back and arm support, and time at rest. If you see an error code, check the instructions for your monitor and note whether it happens again.

If you had to stand up, talk, or move your arm during the reading, make a note of what happened. Look up cuff and movement indicators in the manual. If the cuff slips or does not cover your arm size, check the fit before taking another reading.

What to do with your log

Discuss your readings and any recurring alerts with your healthcare professional. Bring your monitor to a visit if you need help checking your technique or cuff fit. Ask before changing medication or how often you check your blood pressure.

If you are asked to bring your monitor to an appointment, bring the cuff you use at home too. Show a log with the date, time, and both readings from each session. Your care team can use it to check your technique and help you decide when to measure.

Bring the log, monitor, and cuff when your health care professional wants to review your technique. Times, posture notes, and monitor indicators can help explain the circumstances of each reading.