| Learn how to take blood pressure accurately in | | | | Cuff Size |
| this article. Sure, you can rely on your doctor but | | | | First you wrap the cuff around your upper arm. It |
| there are great benefits to learning how to do it | | | | should cover 80% of your upper arm. In many |
| yourself. Follow me as I check the essential steps | | | | cases, the cuff is too small or too large and this |
| for getting your blood pressure measured | | | | will give either an overestimate or an |
| accurately. | | | | underestimate. Most manufacturers allow you to |
| At The Doctor | | | | exchange cuffs for free. |
| One option is to get measured at your doctor's | | | | Hose On Inside |
| clinic. But there are two problems with this. | | | | The hose that leads from the cuff to the device |
| First of all, you want to monitor your blood | | | | should be positioned so that it leaves the cuff on |
| pressure several times a year for the rest of | | | | the inside of your arm, close to where your vein |
| your life. This is because high blood pressure can | | | | lies underneath. |
| suddenly strike at any age. Do you want to make | | | | At Heart Level |
| several hundred appointments over your lifetime | | | | Very importantly, your arm should lie at the same |
| just to check your blood pressure. | | | | level as your heart or otherwise you will get an |
| Second, many people get "white coat syndrome" | | | | incorrect reading. It is useful to lie your arm on a |
| which means that they have readings that are | | | | table to achieve this. |
| inaccurate when a doctor takes them. This is why | | | | Several Readings |
| many doctors recommend you get yourself a | | | | Next you simply switch the machine on and allow |
| home monitor. | | | | it to take your blood pressure. You should be |
| Home Monitor | | | | rested for around 5 minutes prior to this. Take |
| This is simply a small, digital device that you can | | | | several readings throughout the day for best |
| borrow or buy that will measure your blood | | | | results. |
| pressure for you. | | | | |