7 Tips for Accurate BP Measurement
When I first moved to Virginia, I knew I’d be leaving many things good behind in New York, but never imagined that my “on the low side” blood pressure would be one of them!
You see, as I sought to establish a team of physicians for myself in my new place of residence, I did so with a great deal of angst. I had trusted my previous team of doctors. I knew them and I knew their reputations. Now I was at the mercy of a “foreign” health system which often assigned you a physician based on their availability. Not the most settling feeling.
Each time I was in a new setting and the blood pressure cuff was applied to my arm, I would stop my somewhat nervous, getting-to-know-a-stranger, chatter and the reading would come back 10-20 points higher than I have ever been measured to have. Very disheartening, pun intended.
Since that time, as my comfortability has improved, so have my blood pressure (BP) readings. Whew!
Recently I recommended regular, at home BP monitoring to a friend who was battling poorly controlled high blood pressure. She asked which was the best time of day to take her BP reading and I advised her that the morning would be best.
I recently come across a poster crafted by Health Quality Innovators which offers addition helpful advice—7 tips’ worth, in fact—to obtain the most accurate BP measurement. The better you and I can adhere to these seven factors, the more accurate our BP readings will be.
1. Empty your bladder beforehand. A Full bladder adds 10–15mmHg.
2. Sit calmly, no talking for 5 minutes beforehand. Talking adds 10–15mmHg.
3. Sit with your back supported. An unsupported back adds 5–10mmHg.
4. Keep your legs uncrossed. Crossing one’s legs adds 5–10mmHg.
5. Support feet on the floor, or on a stepstool. Unsupported feet add 5–10mmHg.
6. Support your arm at heart level. An unsupported arm adds 10mmHg.
7. Place the cuff around your bare arm. A cuff donned over clothing adds 10–40mmHg.
Leading up to the time of your BP reading, another two things to keep in mind is that exercising or drinking a caffeinated beverage within 30 minutes prior to this measurement will also raise the reading.
