How to use a home blood pressure monitor

If you are a person living with hypertension, diabetes, have just had major surgery or simply a health junkie you have probably been advised to use a home blood pressure monitoring device to keep a check on your blood pressure levels throughout the day. Well, here is exactly how you should use it to get the most accurate readings.

What is it?

A home blood pressure monitor is an electronic sphygmomanometer (a machine that measures your blood pressure) that you can use in the comfort of your own home. The device is portable and small and usually runs on battery power. Used on one arm, an electronic blood pressure monitor works on the same principle as a sphygmomanometer and gives you electronic diastolic and systolic blood pressure readings. The first time you use one of these monitors it is best you learn how to use it correctly and interpret the readings accordingly.

How do you use it?

It is fairly easy to use one of these monitors. Here are the steps to getting the right readings.

1. Sit comfortably on a chair with your arm rested on a table or any other stable surface.

2. Strap the cuff on to either your left or right upper arm. Make sure you use the same arm for every reading as each arm will give you different readings.

3. Press the start button on the meter and allow it to pump air into the cuff . The machine will stop pumping air automatically once it can sense your pulse. At this point the cuff may feel tight or uncomfortable, know that this is normal and only momentary; soon the pressure will be released.

4. Once the final readings blink on the screen, note them down for future reference.

5. If you aren’t sure about the accuracy of the monitor you can take two readings one after the other and then calculate an average of the readings.

Precautions:

1. Do not take a blood pressure reading when you are anxious, angry, upset, have just walked or exerted yourself, if you have smoked or consumed caffine in the past 30 minutes, or have just had a heavy meal.

2. Avoid talking or moving while taking the reading as this can lead to higher than normal readings.

3. Do not be anxious about what results you might see as this can raise your blood pressure too.