Regular monitoring your blood pressure at home is an important part of maintaining good health, especially if you have high blood pressure.

It’s best to check your blood pressure using these steps:

• Rest for at least five minutes before taking your blood pressure. Do not smoke or consume caffeine before checking your blood pressure.
• Position yourself correctly: Sit with your back supported and your feet flat on the ground. Place your arm on a flat surface around the level of your heart, such as a table, with your palm facing up.
• Apply the blood pressure cuff: Place the cuff on your upper arm, about one inch above your elbow. Make sure the cuff is snug but not too tight.
• Take the reading: Press the start button on the blood pressure monitor and wait for the reading to appear. If it’s a high reading, take another reading a few minutes later.
• Record the results: Blood pressure readings are given as two numbers: systolic pressure (the top number) and diastolic pressure (the bottom number). The average normal blood pressure reading around 120/80 mmHg. The third number that you see is the pulse, which is the number of times your heart beats per minute.