Measuring your blood pressure at home using a blood pressure monitor is simple, but it requires you to know how to use the machine and how to listen to your heartbeats. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist for advice on which type of blood pressure monitor to choose for home use. An aneroid monitor is usually cheaper but can be less accurate and difficult to put on with one hand. You will also need a stethoscope of some kind to listen for your heart sounds. A digital blood pressure monitor may be easier for most people to use but it requires batteries and may not be accurate if you move during the reading. Monitoring your own blood pressure at home is a good idea but keep your doctor updated if you detect changes.
Step 1
Put the cuff of your aneroid monitor over your upper arm. Do not put it on too tightly but so that it will not slip. Place the stethoscope buds in your ears and the stethoscope disk in the crease of your elbow.
Step 2
Inflate the cuff by squeezing the bulb until the dial reads 30 to 40 points higher than your last systolic reading or until it feels extremely tight if this is your first reading. With your other hand, loosen the valve to let a little air out slowly. Listen for your heartbeat and record the reading on the dial when you hear the first sound. This number is your "systolic pressure" and should be 120 or less.
Step 3
Continue to deflate the cuff slowly. When you cannot hear your heartbeat, record the number on the dial. This number is your "diastolic pressure" and should be 80 or less.
Step 4
Wait three or four minutes and repeat the above steps if you need to check your blood pressure again.
Step 5
Insert your arm into the cuff and press the button to turn the machine on if you are using a digital blood pressure monitor. Read the digital display and record the numbers on your chart. If needed, press the exhaust button to release air from the cuff completely.
Tips and Warnings
- If you notice your blood pressure is consistently and/or significantly higher than normal, talk to your doctor as soon as possible about possible high blood pressure treatments. "Hypotension" or low blood pressure readings can occur, also; talk to your doctor if your readings are significantly lower than the normal range or if they drop suddenly.
Things You'll Need
- Digital or aneroid blood pressure monitor
- Stethoscope
- Chart for tracking readings
