Taking your blood pressure from your home or when you are travelling has never been easier because of the digital blood pressure monitors that you can get. In order to get an accurate reading, here are the steps that you need to follow on how to take blood pressure.

1. First off, before getting your blood pressure, avoid smoking, eating or exercising for at least half an hour. Also sit down and rest for about five minutes prior to taking your blood pressure. The best position would be to sit in a chair and loosen or remove any tight clothing on your left arm.

2. If you are using a new digital blood pressure monitor straight out of its box, you might have to first assemble it if it is not yet assembled. Follow the instructions from the manual that comes with your unit. For any questions or concerns on assembling the cuff on to your unit, it would be best to contact the product manufacturer.

3. Once you are properly settled, you would then need to place the cuff around your left upper arm. When positioning the cuff on your arm, its bottom edge should be about half an inch above your elbow and the cuff tab or the part with the cuff marker should lie on top of your brachial artery which is on the inside area of your arm. Make sure that the cuff tubing is properly aligned with the center of your forearm.

4. In order to make sure that the cuff is tightly and evenly wrapped around your arm, try pulling on its end. Firmly press the sewn hook material against the cuff’s pile side.

5. After making sure that the cuff is evenly tight, place your left arm on a table or a flat surface which is at the same height as the heart. Relax your arm and then turn your palm upward.

6. You can then press the on button on your digital blood pressure monitor. Make sure to wait for the signal or indicator that the unit is ready to take a measurement.

7. If your blood pressure monitor comes with an inflation bulb, you would need to squeeze it up until the cuff inflates to about 30 to 40 mmHg more than your systolic pressure (if you do not know your systolic pressure, you could just inflate it to 160 to 180 mmHg). If you see an error symbol, continue increasing the inflation level by 30 to 40 mmHg increments. Once you see the deflation indication symbol on the display, you can then press the air release button of the inflation bulb in order to deflate the cuff pressure. You would then b able to see your blood pressure and pulse.

8. If your blood pressure monitor does not come with an inflation bulb, it means that it has an automatic inflation and deflation system. You need to just press the start button and remain still as the cuff inflates and deflates to get your blood pressure measurement. Once the cuff has completely deflated, you would be able to see your blood pressure reading and pulse on the display.

9. If you are using a wrist blood pressure monitor, it means that it already has an automatic inflation and deflation system. You would just need to wrap the cuff on your left wrist and then press the start button to get a reading.

10. Record all measurements that you get with the date and time so that your doctor can give you a proper diagnosis. Try taking your blood pressure at the same time daily.

Through following these simple steps on how to take a blood pressure, you would be able to monitor your medical condition and overall health, allowing you and your doctor to know whether your lifestyle and dietary changes and medications are working.