Look for two numbers on the monitor display
The top number is systolic pressure
The bottom number is diastolic pressure
Systolic is the pressure when the heart beats
Diastolic is the pressure when the heart rests between beats
Read the unit as mmHg
Example: 120/80 mmHg means 120 systolic and 80 diastolic
Check the pulse rate if the monitor shows it
Compare the reading to your target range if you have one
Take multiple readings if needed and use the average
Follow your doctor’s instructions for interpreting your readings