Our pharmacist's advice for simply measuring blood pressure Always measure your blood pressure at the same time. As each of us has approximately 100,000 different blood pressure levels every day, individual measurements are not valid.
Only regular measurements at the same times of the day, over an extended period of time, allow a relevant assessment of blood pressure.
Do not consume nicotine and coffee in the hour before taking your blood pressure at home or in a pharmacy.
After a rest period of 5 to 10 minutes, take your blood pressure measurement in a seated position. Do not measure your blood pressure when you have a strong urge to urinate. A full bladder can cause a rise in blood pressure of approx. 10 mm Hg.
Before measuring your blood pressure, read the instructions for use of the blood pressure monitor carefully. Correct use of blood pressure monitors ensures the quality of the measurements and allows you to obtain accurate results.
When using a wrist blood pressure monitor, keep your wrist at the level of your heart during the measurement.
When using an upper arm measurement device, the upper arm is automatically at the correct height.
During the measurement, do not talk or move. Talking increases the values by approx. 6 - 7 mm Hg. Wait at least 1 minute between two measurements so that the vessels are no longer under pressure during the new measurement.
Write down the values in a measurement notebook: always record the measured values as well as the medication taken and the date and time of the measurement. Measure your blood pressure regularly. Even if your values have improved, you should continue to measure your blood pressure as a control.
