I keep hearing differing methods!! I’d like to know how I’m suppose to sit?

To be clear: I am taking my own blood pressure & was urged to do so & keep track on the advice of my doctor.

Which is a myth?:

  • Can’t have eaten/drank anything for the last half hour
  • feet flat on the floor
  • lying down but sitting up
  • back against the chair
  • don’t cross your legs/ankles
  • only use your left arm
  • hand facing upward
  • hand facing downward
  • keep your arm down
  • keep your arm raised to the level of your chest/heart

What’s the correct way???

Anything else I should know? I keep getting inconsistent results, and it’s stressing me out.

Thank you.

  • solrize@lemmy.world
    1·
    1 day ago

    At the dr’s office the idea is generally sit down and relax for a few moments, if you have gotten exerted by walking up stairs or whatever. Otherwise there’s not much special. The main difference is they usually have a nurse take your blood pressure with a manual squeeze bulb device, using a stethoscope to listen to your pulse underneath the cuff. This is more accurate than using an automatic pushbutton monitor like most people use at home. The pushbutton monitors work somewhat differently and inherently lose accuracy from that.

    I don’t know if it’s possible to take your own blood pressure with the manual gizmo. You might need another person to do it (unless you’re one of those rare and exceptional people with three arms), and they have to know how. It’s not rocket science but it’s more complicated than pressing a button. There are online instructions and youtube vids showing how to do it, I’m sure.

    It might be possible to build a fancier machine that does the manual-style measurement automatically, but it would be more expensive than the typical kind.

    • FeelzGoodMan420@eviltoast.orgEnglish
      1·
      1 day ago

      At the doctor’s office they take it immediately while you have no back support and your legs are dangling. They also hold your arm well below heart level. Plus most people are anxious at the doctor’s. This is why they tell people to monitor it at home lol. I feel like having the clinician take it before you see the doctor is useless.