Home readings guide real treatment decisions — but only when the technique is right. Here is the exact routine our pharmacists teach every monitor buyer.
The 5-minute setup
Sit with both feet flat, back supported, arm resting at heart height. Rest quietly for five minutes — no talking, no phone, no crossed legs. Measure at the same two times daily, ideally morning and evening.
Cuff position matters most
- Use a bare upper arm, not over a sleeve.
- The cuff's lower edge sits 2–3 cm above the elbow.
- Snug means one fingertip fits underneath — no tighter.
- Use the correct cuff size for your arm circumference.
The two-reading rule
Take two readings one minute apart and record the average. If they differ by more than 10 points, take a third. Bring a week's log to your doctor — patterns beat single numbers.
What can skew a reading
Coffee within 30 minutes, a full bladder, recent exercise and a cold room all push numbers up. Note them in your log so your doctor reads the context, not just the digits.
Choosing a monitor
Pick a clinically validated upper-arm model with the right cuff size and memory for your household. Our Digital Arm Blood Pressure Monitor stores readings for two users and flags irregular heartbeats.