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 Measuring an Accurate Blood Pressure - Remain seated or supine with the arm supported at heart level.
- Do not smoking or ingest 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 |
