Knowing how to check blood pressure is vital to your overall health management. Understanding the steps is key to ensuring that you measure an accurate blood pressure reading each and every time. Following the simple steps below will help you get consistently accurate blood pressure readings.

When to check your blood pressure

• Measure twice a day:
  • Morning: before taking medications and eating
  • Evening: before going to bed, bathing or taking medication
• As blood pressure constantly fluctuates, take at least two bp measurements each time and record them with the date and time.
• Wait 1 minute in between bp measurements

Before your blood pressure measurement

• Choose a quiet environment
• Wait 2 hours after a big meal
• No coffee or smoking in the preceding 30 minutes
• Avoid activity before the measurement
• Empty bladder and bowel if needed
• Sit calmly for 5 minutes before measuring blood pressure
• If possible, do not measure if uncomfortable or stressed
• Remove close-fitting garments from the upper arm. To avoid constriction, sleeves should not be rolled up – they do not interefere with the cuff if they are laid flat

During your blood pressure measurement

Do not speak

Sit with your back supported

Place the blood pressure cuff at mid-arm
(2-3 cm above the elbow)

Rest your arm at heart level

Don’t cross your legs

Place your feet flat on the floor

Knowing how to check blood pressure is vital to your overall health management. Understanding the steps is key to ensuring that you measure an accurate blood pressure reading each and every time. Following the simple steps below will help you get consistently accurate blood pressure readings.

When to check your blood pressure

• Measure twice a day:
  • Morning: before taking medications and eating
  • Evening: before going to bed, bathing or taking medication
• As blood pressure constantly fluctuates, take at least two bp measurements each time and record them with the date and time. 
• Wait 1 minute in between bp measurements

Before your blood pressure measurement

• Choose a quiet environment
• Wait 2 hours after a big meal
• No coffee or smoking in the preceding 30 minutes
• Avoid activity before the measurement
• Empty bladder and bowel if needed
• Sit calmly for 5 minutes before measuring blood pressure
• If possible, do not measure if uncomfortable or stressed
• Remove close-fitting garments from the upper arm. To avoid constriction, sleeves should not be rolled up – they do not interefere with the cuff if they are laid flat

During your blood pressure measurement

Do not speak

Sit with your back supported upright

Place the blood pressure cuff at mid-arm
(2-3 cm above the elbow)

Rest your arm at heart level

Keep your legs uncrossed

Place your feet flat on the floor

Are you using an accurate home blood pressure monitor?

Microlife offers clinically proven and medically accurate at-home blood pressure monitors. Microlife blood pressure monitors come in a variety of models including Illuminated Touchscreen, Premium, Deluxe, Advanced, and Automatic arm and wrist models.  

Browse All Blood Pressure Monitors

• Quick View

  Premium Touch Screen Blood Pressure Monitor

  
  $69.99
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  Premium Blood Pressure Monitor

  
  $59.99
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  Deluxe Blood Pressure Monitor

  
  $49.99
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  Advanced Blood Pressure Monitor

  
  $39.99
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  Automatic Blood Pressure Monitor

  
  $29.99
  Add to cart

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  Automatic Wrist Blood Pressure Monitor

  
  $29.99
  Add to cart