Regular blood pressure monitoring is important for anyone with angina. Early detection and treatment of high blood pressure can help prevent heart damage.

Taking your Blood Pressure
A number of devices are available for home blood pressure measurement. Digital blood pressure devices are easy to use: they automatically calculate the pulse and display the systolic and diastolic pressures. However, a simple blood pressure cuff with a stethoscope is the most accurate way to measure blood pressure.

Tips for Obtaining an Accurate Blood Pressure

• Remain seated or lying flat with the arm supported at heart level.
• No smoking or caffeine for 30 minutes prior to measurement.
• Rest for 5 minutes before taking your blood pressure.
• The blood pressure air bladder should nearly encircle the arm: persons with large arms may require an extra large adult cuff. Cuffs are usually marked to indicate the acceptable size range.
• Apply cuff 1/2 inch above elbow crease.
• Locate brachial pulse and place the stethoscope bell at this location.
• With the valve closed, pump up cuff bulb to approximately 210 mm Hg, or a point where no sounds are heard through the stethoscope.
• Open the valve slowly (2-3 mm Hg per second) and listen for the point where the tapping sounds are first heard. The corresponding reading on the dial is the systolic pressure. And then, listen for the point where the tapping sounds stop. The corresponding reading on the dial is the diastolic pressure.
• Perform two more readings per session, separated by 5 minutes.
• The blood pressure must be elevated during at least 3 separate sessions to diagnose hypertension.

Systolic Pressure Guideline for Adults

Systolic Blood Pressure	Assessment
120-139	Prehypertension
Over 140-159	Systolic hypertension Stage I
160 or higher	Systolic hypertension Stage II

Diastolic Pressure Guideline for Adults

Diastolic Blood Pressure	Assessment
Below 80	Normal
80-89	Prehypertension
90-99	Hypertension Stage I
100 or higher	Hypertension Stage II