Wash and dry hands
Sit in a chair with back supported
Keep feet flat on the floor and legs uncrossed
Rest quietly for 5 minutes before measuring
Avoid caffeine, smoking, and exercise for 30 minutes before measurement
Keep the arm supported at heart level
Use the correct cuff size on bare upper arm (snug, not over clothing)
Position cuff so the artery marker is over the brachial artery
Place the cuff edge about 1–2 cm above the elbow crease
Ensure tubing is not twisted (for cuff-connected monitors)
Start the measurement and remain still and silent
Record systolic (top number) and diastolic (bottom number)
Record heart rate if shown
If the reading is irregular or you feel unwell, repeat after 1–2 minutes
Take 2–3 readings and record the average
Note the time of day and any relevant factors (meds, symptoms, activity)
Understand common interpretation (if provided by your clinician): higher numbers generally indicate higher blood pressure
Seek urgent care if readings are extremely high (e.g., around 180/120) with symptoms such as chest pain, shortness of breath, severe headache, weakness, confusion, or vision changes