According to Blood Pressure UK, 1 in 3 adults in the UK has high blood pressure, increasing their risk of death from coronary artery disease and stroke. Once a patient has been diagnosed with high blood pressure, they will generally be advised to purchase a monitor which they can use at home to keep an eye on their readings and make sure that they are being treated to target.
However, a recent study conducted by researchers at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine found that incorrect arm positioning whilst taking readings can lead to overestimating a person’s blood pressure by up to 6.5 mmHg.
When taking readings using a blood pressure monitor at home, patients should ensure that the arm bearing the cuff is supported on a desk, so that it is roughly in line with the level of the heart. The arm being loose by one’s side or resting on a lap will give higher readings. It is also recommended that patients rest quietly and avoid eating, drinking, tobacco and exercise in the 30 minutes before taking a reading. Crossing legs and moving or talking during a reading will also cause readings to go up.
Patients should take a series of three readings, each about 2 minutes apart, and note them all down, since all three provide useful information to the doctor or nurse supervising blood pressure medication.
Blood Pressure UK provides some more information about home blood pressure monitoring on their website, which you can find here.