Measuring Your Blood Pressure At Home

Please watch the British Heart Foundation video below on how to measure your Blood Pressure at home.  

How to measure your own blood pressure

Many things can make your blood pressure rise for a short time.  Before you take your reading:

• Make sure that you do not need the toilet, and that you have not just eaten a big meal.  
• Do not measure your BP within 30 minutes of drinking caffeine or smoking, or immediately after exercise or drinking alcohol.  
• Make sure you are relaxed and comfortable.  If you are anxious or uncomfortable, this will make your blood pressure rise temporarily 
• Wear loose fitting clothing like a short-sleeved t-shirt so you can push your sleeve up comfortably
• Always use the same arm for readings as each arm will give you a slightly different reading
• Before you take your readings, rest for a few minutes.  You should be sitting down in a quiet place with your arm resting on a firm surface, palm facing upwards and feet flat on the floor
• Make sure your arm is supported and the BP cuff around your arm is at the same level as your heart

Taking your reading

• Put the cuff on following the instructions that come with your monitor
• When you are taking your reading, keep still and silent. Moving and talking can affect your reading.
• Take two readings AM and PM about two minutes apart.
• Record the second reading only AM and PM for 5 or 7 Days as requested by your clinician (Systolic, Diastolic and Pulse). 

Your blood pressure reading

Blood pressure is measured in millimetres of mercury (mmHg).

In the example below (image) it is written like this: 132/78/69 which is said “132 over 78” with a pulse of 69.

The first and highest number shows ‘systolic’ pressure when your heart beats and pushes the blood around your body.

The second lower number shows the ‘diastolic’ pressure when your heart relaxes and refills with blood.

The third number is your ‘pulse’. A pulse is a measurement of your heart rate, or the number of times your heart beats per minute.

• SYS = Systolic blood pressure
• DIA = Diastolic blood pressure
• PUL = Pulse or Heart Rate

If you are worried about your Blood Pressure readings (before your review with our clinician), you can check your Blood Pressure results by following this link where you will get advice: https://www.nhs.uk/health-assessment-tools/check-your-blood-pressure-reading