Your doctor should take your blood pressure reading during regular office visits. If you are at risk for hypertension, however, you may wish to take readings more often in order to monitor your health status. Electronic cuffs provide an easy way to take a reading without having to learn to use a stethoscope and sphygmomanometer. Healthy blood pressure readings fall between 110/70 and 120/80, according to the American Council on Exercise. A blood pressure of 140/90 is considered borderline, and anything higher is considered hypertension. Electronic cuffs are available at some pharmacies and medical supply stores.
Step 1
Wear a short-sleeved or sleeveless shirt. The cuff works best against bare skin, and rolling long sleeves may compress your blood vessels and skew the reading.
Step 2
Sit in a straight-backed chair next to a table or ledge where you can rest your left arm at chest level.
Step 3
Wrap the cuff snuggly around your left arm. The bottom of the cuff should be about an inch above the crook in your elbow, and the arrow on the cuff should rest inside your arm, slightly right of center.
Step 4
Set the cuff to inflate between 150 and 200 mm Hg, if that is an option.
Step 5
Press the "Start" button, sit back and let the monitor take the reading. The cuff should inflate and, at the end of the reading, automatically deflate. A LED screen displays the blood pressure reading.
Tips and Warnings
- Take your readings at roughly the same time each session. Wait at least an hour after exercising before taking a blood pressure reading. Always read from the same arm, as each arm has a slightly different blood pressure.
- If your reading is at or above 140/90, wait a few days and read again. If the reading remains high, contact your physician.
Things You'll Need
- Electronic blood pressure cuff
References
- "Personal Trainer Manual"; American Council on Exercise; 2003
- Family Doctor: Blood Pressure Monitoring At Home
