Home blood pressure monitors are helpful for tracking numbers over time, but incorrect technique can give misleading readings. A few adjustments make results more accurate.

Always sit quietly for five minutes before measuring, with your back supported and feet flat on the floor. Don’t cross your legs. Rest your arm on a table so the cuff is at heart level. Talking, moving or measuring right after climbing stairs can falsely elevate values.

Choose the right cuff size; a cuff that is too small or too large affects readings. Wrap it snugly on bare skin, not over clothing. Take two readings one to two minutes apart and note both, rather than relying on a single number.

Avoid measuring immediately after caffeine, smoking or heavy meals. Try to check at roughly the same time each day when tracking trends.

Home readings are meant to complement, not replace, professional checks. Share your recorded values with your doctor, including date and time, for proper interpretation.