Comment on What is the best take your blood pressure to get the most accurate results?
Joshi@aussie.zone 1 week ago
I’m a GP, here’s my opinion
Can’t have eaten/drank anything for the last half hour
- in principle could alter your BP but I wouldn’t worry too much unless it’s quite a large meal
Feet flat on the floor
- yes, this is important
Lying down but sitting up
- for some purposes docs want lying/sitting/standing but for home measurements do them sitting
Back against the chair
- yes
Don’t cross your legs/ankles
- yes, feet flat on the floor
Only use your left arm
- myth, if there is a significant difference between your left and right arms there is something funky going on with your subclavian arteries
Hand facing upward/downward
- not super important
Keep your arm down/raised
- keep your arm relaxed, ideally resting on a table or desk at 90deg or hanging straight down
Most important is be relaxed, sit still, don’t move your arm, of you get a high reading calm yourself and take it once more then leave it.