How to check your blood pressure accurately

Did you know there are rules for checking your blood pressure (BP) accurately? Yes, you should check your BP regularly. But it is important you do so right.
So, before measuring your BP:
🔴Make sure your bladder is empty. Go and urinate.
🔴Now, rest comfortably and quietly for 5 minutes before measuring blood pressure.
🔴Avoid smoking, drinking alcohol, or exercising within 60 minutes of measuring blood pressure.
🔴Think of a happy event in your life. Breathe in and out deeply 5 times. Relax.
When measuring BP:
🔴Take readings at the same time each day.
🔴Do not talk when checking
🔴Sit with your back straight, legs uncrossed, and feet flat on the floor.
🔴Rest the arm (left arm preferably) on a flat surface so that the upper arm is at heart level.
🔴Place the cuff on the left arm so that the bottom of the cuff is directly above the elbow crease.
🔴Take two or three readings approximately 1 minute apart and calculate the average value.
🔴Keep a record of all readings
Just to refresh your memory on the numbers to look out for when you measure your blood pressure:
Systolic (mmHg) Diastolic (mmHg)
Normal <120 and <80
Elevated 120-129 and <80
Stage 1 Hypertension 130-139 or 80-89
Stage 2 Hypertension >140 or >90
Hypertensive Crises >180 and/or >120
Now, tell me, have you been checking your blood pressure accurately, or you have been making some errors?
16 comments on "How to check your blood pressure accurately"
Osa's Liz
-Na wa o. That means even hospitals do it wrongly. Wow! Thanks for the information, it’s so valuable.
Dr Chinasa
-You are welcome
Dr Chinasa
-You are welcome…
zulfah taiwo
-hi .Will definitely follow through ,when next am checking my pressure. a big thank you.
Dr Chinasa
-My pleasure
Mariam
-Thanks for these tips Dr!!!
Dr Chinasa
-You are welcome
glowreal
-Thank you, Dr.
Imaobong
-Thanks for this update.
Binta
-Thank you.
Favour Adeyinka
-Wow 👏 thanks alot dear Dr,I have actually been doing it the wrong way.lesson learnt.
Dr Chinasa
-Thank you for reading.
Abass
-Great Write up ma’am. This will definitely be helpful. Thanks a mega
samba nyirenda
-Thanks so so much, very handy, Will share.
Olajumoke Sarah
-The hospital has been checking my pressure wrongly, no wonder it’s always high at the hospital but normal at home. I will stick to a particular time from now.
Thank you Dr for the information shared.
Dr Chinasa
-You are welcome