How to measure blood pressure at home correctly

Before we change any medication based on home readings, I want to know how the readings were taken. Small errors move the number a surprising amount.

The setup

Sit for five minutes first, back supported, feet flat on the floor
Arm resting at heart level on a table, not held up in the air
Cuff on bare skin, not over a sleeve
No tea, coffee or cigarette in the previous thirty minutes
Do not talk during the reading

What to record

Two readings a minute apart, morning and evening, for seven days. Write down all of them, including the ones you think are wrong. Bring the whole list.

A single high reading is not a diagnosis, and it is not a reason to take an extra tablet on your own.

This note is general health information and is current as at the date shown. It is not a diagnosis, not a prescription, and not a substitute for an in-person consultation. Please do not start, stop or change any medication based on it. If your symptoms are severe or sudden, call 108 or go to the nearest emergency department.