Monitoring blood pressure at home allows you to proactively track your health. However, your physical state, sitting posture, arm position, and how the cuff is wrapped can all affect measurement results.

Urinate before measuring blood pressure

According to the Times of India, it is advisable to urinate before measuring blood pressure because a full bladder can temporarily increase blood pressure. Measuring while needing to urinate can lead to results that are higher than actual.

Avoid caffeine and exercise

For at least 30 minutes before measurement, you should avoid drinking coffee or caffeinated beverages, smoking, and exercising. These factors can temporarily raise blood pressure, affecting the accuracy of the readings.

Rest for at least 5 minutes

Do not measure blood pressure immediately after walking or working. Sit quietly in a peaceful place for at least 5 minutes before taking your blood pressure to allow your body to return to a resting state. During this time, avoid talking or using your phone.

Sit in the correct posture

You should sit on a chair with back support, keeping your back elevated, both feet flat on the floor, and without crossing your legs. During the measurement, remain still, do not talk, or move excessively.

Monitoring blood pressure can detect abnormalities. Illustration: *Benh vien Da khoa Tam Anh*

Position your arm and cuff correctly

Your arm should be comfortably placed on a table or a firm surface, so that the cuff is at heart level. Do not raise or hold your arm suspended during measurement, as arm position can influence the results, according to Verywell Health.

The cuff must be wrapped directly on a bare arm, not over clothing. The cuff size must be appropriate for your arm circumference, as a cuff that is too loose or too tight can lead to inaccurate blood pressure readings.

After measurement, you should record your blood pressure readings, the time of measurement, and any related information, such as when you took medication. Regular record-keeping helps track blood pressure trends over several days and provides useful information for your doctor.

You should not self-diagnose hypertension based on one home measurement. Blood pressure can fluctuate throughout the day, so diagnosis requires multiple accurate measurements and a doctor's evaluation.

Individuals undergoing treatment for hypertension must continue taking medication as prescribed, and not arbitrarily increase, decrease the dosage, or stop medication based on home measurement results. If blood pressure is consistently higher than the treatment target, patients should discuss it with their doctor for assessment and adjustment of the treatment plan when necessary.

Le Nguyen (compiled)