Sit quietly for 5 minutes before testing
Avoid caffeine, smoking, and exercise for 30 minutes before testing
Empty your bladder before testing
Sit with your back supported and feet flat on the floor
Keep your legs uncrossed
Rest your arm on a flat surface at heart level
Use the correct cuff size for your arm
Place the cuff on bare skin, not over clothing
Wrap the cuff snugly around your upper arm
Turn on the blood pressure monitor
Stay still and do not talk during the reading
Wait for the device to finish measuring
Record the systolic and diastolic numbers
Take two readings one minute apart
Use the average if readings differ
Test at the same time each day if monitoring regularly
Follow your healthcare provider’s instructions if using a manual cuff