Heart | A&D Instruments UK

How to get an accurate measurement

Have you decided to take control of your health by monitoring your blood pressure at home?

At first this could be a bit overwhelming, and you might be wondering how to ensure you get an accurate measurement like the doctors. However, monitoring your blood pressure at home is just as accurate as measuring your blood pressure at the doctors, with many doctors now using automatic blood pressure monitors to reduce human error.

Follow our simple sets on how to take an accurate measurement from home.

Use a clinically validated blood pressure monitor

Clinical validation is a formal study comparing the accuracy of a blood pressure monitor relative to the measurement of a clinical observer using a mercury sphygmomanometer and stethoscope on a patient.

Clinical validation is comprised of three major components:

Utilisation of modern protocols
Independent verification of accuracy
Publication in a peer-reviewed journal

View our clinically validated blood pressure monitors here.

Ensure the cuff is the correct size

Cuff size matters!

If the cuff you use is too small, your blood pressure reading will be artificially high. If your cuff is too large, you may get a lower-than-actual reading.

To determine the right cuff size for you, with your arm hanging at the side of your body, measure the circumference of your upper arm at the midpoint between shoulder and elbow.

Understand what can impact your measurements

30 minutes before you take your measurement, DO NOT:

Exercise
Drink coffee or any kind of caffeinated drink
Drink alcohol
Smoke

Make sure you sit quietly for 5-10 minutes to relax.

Taking the blood pressure reading

Now you have completed the steps above, you are ready to take your reading.

Sit with your back straight, your legs uncrossed, and your feet flat on the floor.
Place the cuff on your left arm or wrist (unless your doctor has advised you to use your right side).
- For upper arm monitors, wrap the cuff around the middle of your bare upper arm, about ½” above the elbow. It should be fastened snugly, but you should be able to slide two fingers underneath the cuff. Place the air hose on the inside of the arm near the crook of your elbow so that the artery position mark (if your model has one) is aligned with your brachial artery.
- For wrist monitors, with the palm facing upwards, attach the monitor to the inside of your wrist. Fasten securely with the top edge of the cuff aligned with the crease of your wrist.
Rest your arm on a table so cuff is at heart level.
- For upper arm monitors, the cuff around your upper arm should be even with your heart. Your hand should rest on the table, palm up.
- For wrist monitors, you’ll need to bend your elbow to bring your wrist to heart level. Positioning your wrist at heart level is critical for an accurate measurement.
Press start. During your measurement, do not talk, move, or eat. Any one of these things can impact your measurement.

Hypertension affects more than 25% of adult population¹ in Europe. It is a significant factor in increasing the risk of chronic kidney disease, vascular disease, myocardial infarction, and stroke. Therefore, the European Society of Hypertension (ESH) issued updated guidelines in 2018 to improve hypertension treatment.

What is Hypertension?

Hypertension occurs when there is a drastic increase in your blood pressure. Your blood pressure is dependent on the work your heart is doing, as well as the blood vessels’ resistance. Having high blood pressure means that your blood is applying a high amount of force against the walls of your blood vessels.

Hypertension is also referred to as a silent killer, as in many cases, it comes with no warning symptoms or signs. Over time, the pressure buildup results in the accumulation of damage that can be too much for your circulatory system to handle. This results in severe health issues such as Coronary Artery Disease, Heart Failure, Dementia and Stroke.

Blood Pressure Numbers

In order to fully interpret your blood pressure readings, it is essential to understand how blood pressure is measured. Blood pressure can be measured by the following two numbers:

Systolic Number

The systolic number is the top number in a blood pressure reading. While your heart is beating, it transfers blood through your arteries as it squeezes. The force with which your blood travels throughout the body creates a certain pressure on your blood vessels. The amount of pressure in your arteries during the contraction of your heart muscle is called the systolic number.

Diastolic Number

The diastolic number is the bottom number in a blood pressure reading. It indicates the pressure in your arteries when your heart rests between beats; the resistance to the blood flow in the blood vessels. It is during this time that the heart fills with blood and gets oxygen.

Both these numbers are measured in millimetres of mercury (mmHg).

Blood Pressure Categories

Your blood pressure categories are as follows:

Blood Pressure Categories	European Society of Caridology / European Society of Hypertension Guidelines
	Systolic Measurement		Diastolic Measurement
Optimal	<120	and	<80
Normal	120-129	and/or	80-84
High-Normal	130-139	and/or	85-89
Grade 1 Hypertension	140-159	and/or	90-99
Grade 2 Hypertension	160-179	and/or	100-109
Grade 3 Hypertension	≥180	and/or	≥110
Isolated Systolic Hypertension	≥140	and	<90

These updated guidelines are expected to ensure early detection and intervention of hypertension. According to the new recommendations, blood pressure lowering drugs such as ACE inhibitors, angiotensin-2 receptor blockers (ARB) or calcium channel blockers should be offered to patients with 10% or more risk of cardiovascular disease.

Due to these updated guidelines, major positive changes could be made in the lives of hypertension patients and reduce blood pressure issues linked with age. The major aim of these new changes is to improve the process of management and detection of hypertension over the next ten years. While hypertension is common among adults, young individuals and children are also at risk. The major cause of hypertension among youngsters is unhealthy lifestyle, including lack of physical activity and poor diet. It is essential to start taking the right measures to prevent hypertension early on by making positive lifestyle changes such as adding regular exercise to your daily routine and eating foods that help to lower blood pressure. Moreover, it is highly recommended that you consult your doctor to discuss the right preventive measures and treatments for hypertension.

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