Arm position for blood pressure: how to support your arm
Support your arm so the middle of an upper-arm cuff is at heart level. The position of the cuff matters more than whether your hand happens to point toward your chest.
Read the guideMeasurement basics
Get comfortable with your monitor, cuff and measuring setup.
Blood pressure sitting position: a practical setup guide
For a seated home measurement, give your back, feet and arm support before starting the monitor. A comfortable-looking chair does not necessarily put you in a comparable measuring position.
Read the guideHow long to rest before taking blood pressure
Prepare before you start the cuff, rather than trying to explain an unexpected number afterward. Recent activity and the circumstances of a measurement can affect how comparable it is with your other readings.
Read the guideHow to check your blood pressure cuff size
Check that your arm circumference falls within the range specified for your cuff. The appearance of the cuff alone does not establish whether it is the right size.
Read the guideHow to check if your blood pressure monitor is accurate
A plausible-looking number does not prove that a blood pressure monitor is accurate. Check the exact device, its cuff and the way you use it together.
Read the guideWhich arm should you use to take blood pressure?
Use the arm your healthcare professional recommends and identify it consistently in your records. If the two arms appear different, preserve that information rather than choosing whichever produces the preferred number.
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