BP Measuring Tips
1. Do not smoke nor perform any exercises at this time; drink caffeinated beverages or consume alcohol at least some 30 minutes before checking your blood pressure.
2. Do not measure your blood pressure when your bladder is full, so it is pertinent to empty your bladder if full before checking your blood pressure.
3. It is good practice to measure your blood pressure around the same time on the days you want to check you blood pressure
4. Do not measure your blood pressure when you are under a lot of stress or when anxious as this will cause your blood pressure to be artificially high and end up worsening your anxiety state
5. Use a properly calibrated blood pressure monitor and also use the right size of cuff. Uses a big cuff, if you have a big arm and a normal size regular cuff for a smaller arm and not the other way round.
6. Take a two or three readings one minute apart and it is a good idea to sit quietly for 5 minutes before commencing measurement
7. Using the right blood pressure measuring technique and the recommended technique is for you to:
a. sit on a chair with your back straight,
b. have both feet flat on the floor without crossing them;
c. breath normally;
d. do not talk whilst measuring your blood pressure;
e. place the blood pressure cuff on your bare arm above the elbow,
f. fasten the blood pressure cuff but note, cuff should neither be too tight nor lose, in other words the cuff should be snug on your arm;
g. place the cuff arm on a flat surface – a table is excellent;
h. your arm should be at the level of your heart;
i. now push the button to measure your blood pressure.
j. If you get a reading as high as 180/120mmHg, please do not panic, relax, validate the reading by checking it again in 5 minutes,
k. if the reading is still the same, please SEEK MEDICAL ATTENTION.
If you got value from this article, kindly like and share and if for some reasons you have gone against one of the tips above, lets know in the comment section to serve you better.
Tips Credit goes to Dr. Joe of The2020forum.com
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