Home Blood Pressure Monitor-What is the normal blood pressure reading?

Why does my blood pressure matter?

Blood pressure keeps blood circulating around your body, but if your blood pressure is raised it puts you at increased risk of a number of conditions, including heart attack and stroke. It’s important to have your blood pressure checked because there are rarely any symptoms, so you may not know it’s high until it’s too late. Around seven million people in the UK are living with undiagnosed high blood pressure.It might not cause any symptoms, but you should always take high blood pressure seriously. It’s an even bigger problem if you have diabetes or chronic kidney disease, as it can raise your risk of complications. Once someone has been diagnosed, they can reduce their risk with treatments and lifestyle changes.

What is a normal blood pressure reading?

A normal blood pressure reading is below 140/90, but if you have heart or circulatory disease, diabetes or kidney disease, your blood pressure should ideally be less than 130/80.

If you want to monitor your blood pressureat home, it can be a good idea to get a blood pressure machine that lets you keep a track of your blood pressure readings at times that are suitable for you, in the comfort of your own home. 

How to choose a home blood pressure monitor

• Buy a monitor with an upper cuff: If you are buying a home blood pressure monitor, choose one that measures your blood pressure at your upper arm, not your wrist or finger.
• Make sure the cuff is the right size for your arm: Make sure you have the right cuff size for your arm. It should wrap snugly around your upper arm, with just enough space to slide two fingertips underneath. Most home blood pressure monitors will come with a medium-sized cuff. If your upper arm is particularly larger or smaller than average, you may need to buy a different sized cuff separately.
• Make sure it’s CE approved: If you are buying a blood pressure monitor, make sure it is approved CE. To make sure your monitor is accurate, choose one that has been listed as validated for accuracy by the CE. This means that the digital monitor has gone through a series of tests to make sure it gives results that you and your doctor can trust.

How to check your blood pressure using a blood pressure machine

1. In order for it to be an accurate reading it’s important that you’re resting and that you’re not feeling anxious or stressed.

2. Sit upright in a chair, your back against the back of the chair, and place your feet flat on the floor.

3. Rest your arm on a table if you have one and just make sure your hand and arm are relaxed on the table. It’s important that you don’t clench your fist when you’re taking your blood pressure.

4. Place the cuff over your upper arm and tighten the cuff over your arm, making sure you can fit two fingers underneath the cuff. You want the cuff to be over the upper part of your arm with the tubing leading down the centre or slightly to the right of your arm.

5. When you check your blood pressure, don’t talk and just relax. Press the on button, and then press the start button.

6. You’ll feel the cuff inflate quite rapidly. It may temporarily be a bit tender or uncomfortable for,  as the cuff inflates and deflates automatically, but this will only be for a short period of time. If it is too tender/uncomfortable you can just press the ‘Stop’ button and the cuff will instantly deflate.

7. Once you get your reading, restorage your reading by the moniotr. 

8. A few minutes after you’ve taken your blood pressure, it’s a good idea to check it again, to make sure the readings are similar and accurate.

If you’ve been asked by your GP or nurse to check your blood pressure, take it twice a day – morning and evening – and then make an appointment to see him or her to discuss the results.