Measuring blood pressure
- Don’t eat or drink anything 30 minutes before you take your blood pressure.
- Empty your bladder before your reading.
- Sit in a comfortable chair with your back supported for at least 5 minutes before your reading.
- Put both feet flat on the ground and keep your legs uncrossed.
- Rest your arm with the cuff on a table at chest height.
- Make sure the blood pressure cuff is snug but not too tight. The cuff should be against your bare skin, not over clothing.
- Do not talk while your blood pressure is being measured.
- Take at least two readings, 1 or 2 minutes apart.
Take it first in the morning before eating or taking any medications. Take it again in the evening.
| BLOOD PRESSURE CATEGORY |
SYSTOLIC mm Hg (upper number) |
and/or |
DIASTOLIC mm Hg (lower number) |
| NORMAL |
LESS THAN 120 |
and |
LESS THAN 80 |
| ELEVATED |
120 – 129 |
and |
LESS THAN 80 |
| HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE (HYPERTENSION) STAGE 1 |
130 – 139 |
or |
80 – 89 |
| HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE (HYPERTENSION) STAGE 2 |
140 OR HIGHER |
or |
90 OR HIGHER |
| HYPERTENSIVE CRISIS (consult your doctor immediately) |
HIGHER THAN 180 |
and/or |
HIGHER THAN 120 |
avg of 3: