Blood pressure is often measured using an arm or a wristband. Many people have an at-home device, so they can monitor their levels at their convenience.
When blood pressure readings are done correctly, it can be a guide as to whether or not your treatment and lifestyle habits are working successfully. But there are a lot of factors that can affect your blood pressure reading and give you skewed results.
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Here are seven common factors that can affect your blood pressure reading so that you can be sure to get a more accurate one.
7 Factors That Impact Blood Pressure Readings
Having a full bladder: Avoid taking your blood pressure if you need to urinate. Having a full bladder can add 10 to 15 points to your reading.
Having your feet dangle: Make sure your feet are planted on the ground and you are sitting on a high chair or doctor table as it can increase readings by six to 10 points.
Moving your legs: Having your legs crossed or moving can increase readings by two to eight points.
Hanging your arm: Your arm should be resting on a flat surface. Having it hang can increase your blood pressure 10 or more points higher.
Not placing the cuff in the right position: The cuff should be wrapped around a bare arm. Having it on top of clothing can increase a reading by 50 points.
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Using the wrong size cuff: Ensure your cuff properly fits you as an ill-fitting cuff can increase your blood pressure reading by up to 10 points.
Don’t talk: Talking during a blood pressure reading can make your results 10 points higher.
By avoiding these factors, you can achieve a more accurate blood pressure which can guide your treatment efforts.
