Home blood pressure monitors

• Sit upright, back supported, feet flat, arm resting on a table; no thick clothing, stay calm and do not talk.
• Cuff on the upper arm, tubing down the centre or slightly to the right; press On, then Start.
• Take a second reading a few minutes later; if the two differ, take a third and write each down.
• If a GP or nurse asked you to monitor, read twice a day, morning and evening, then book an appointment to discuss them.

Source: British Heart Foundation

• The cuff should fit snugly with room to slide two fingers underneath.
• Most monitors include a medium cuff; an upper arm much larger or smaller than average needs a suitably sized cuff.
• Have it serviced and calibrated at least every two years; a new one may be cheaper.

Source: British Heart Foundation

• BHF: a normal reading is roughly 90 to 130 over 60 to 85.
• BHF: 140 or above on the top number, or 90 or above on the bottom, is considered high.

Source: British Heart Foundation

Which type of home monitor is better, upper arm or wrist?

The BHF advises an upper-arm monitor if you can, with a wrist cuff as an alternative if an upper-arm cuff is not suitable.

What does validated mean?

The BHF advises choosing a device that has been independently validated, and points to the BIHS and STRIDE BP validated monitor lists.

What home reading counts as high?

The NHS gives 135/85 or higher, checked at home, as the threshold.

• Blood pressure - measuring at home, British Heart Foundation
• High blood pressure (hypertension) - Diagnosis, NHS