Keep an Eye on Blood Pressure at Home

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By Doug Donaldson

A home blood pressure monitor can help your doctor keep tabs on your health—and it may even save you money.

Accuracy and Convenience
Blood pressure monitors, also called sphygmomanometers, include a cuff and a device that gauges pressure. Some may come with a stethoscope. Automatic monitors may have digital readouts and other features such as multiple-user memory. Some are even programmed to talk to you. Expect to pay $30–$40 for a monitor that will simply measure your blood pressure and up to $200 for one with extra features.
           
“You don’t have to get one with every bell and whistle,” Hayes says. “You don’t have to spend a lot, but the less expensive ones can be less accurate.”
           
Blood pressure is the force exerted on your blood vessel walls as blood flows through them. In doctors’ offices, it is measured with a monitor often attached to a glass tube through which mercury rises as blood pressure is assessed. This provides an accurate measurement—in millimeters of mercury (mmHg)—of both systolic and diastolic pressure. Less expensive monitors mimic this measurement.
           
“Electronic monitors are convenient and have some advantages, but you’ll get the most accurate reading from a trained professional, and the gold standard for blood pressure monitors is a mercury instrument calibrated and used by health professionals,” Jones says.
           
However, Hayes says, you can keep tabs on the accuracy of a home monitor by having it checked at your doctor’s office at least once a year. You may be able to have your monitor calibrated at this time as well.

Tip: Test the accuracy of a home blood pressure monitor by having it checked at your doctor’s office.

Tips for Use
No matter what kind of monitor you purchase, the results won’t help if the monitor is inaccurate or if you don’t know the proper way to use it. “Blood pressure is a transient thing that can vary through the course of a day,” Hayes says. “Don’t fixate on numbers. One high number shouldn’t make you panic.” Here are tips to make your at-home blood pressure monitoring more accurate:

• Take a quick lesson: Ask your doctor or nurse to show you how to use the monitor.
• Ensure that the cuff is the right size by following measurement instructions included with the monitor. A cuff that’s the wrong size could throw off your readings by about 10 mmHg.
• Avoid eating, smoking, or using tobacco—or consuming caffeine or alcohol—at least 30 minutes before measuring your blood pressure.
• Remove constrictive clothing or jewelry. A tight bracelet or sleeve can result in an inaccurate reading. 
• Be seated and relaxed for three to four minutes before taking your blood pressure.
• Position your arm where it’s relaxed and level with your heart. Use a pillow, if needed.
• Put your feet flat on the floor—don’t cross your legs.
• Take two readings. If they’re different by five points or more, retest.
• Keep a log or use the monitor’s memory. A log should include time of day along with the reading.
• Handle your blood pressure monitor with care—it’s a sensitive instrument. If you drop it, have it checked at your doctor’s office or by the manufacturer before relying on the results.