7 Simple Tips To Get an Accurate Blood Pressure Reading

These common positioning errors can result in inaccurate blood pressure measurement. Figure shown is an estimate of how improper positioning can potentially impact blood pressure readings.

Figure: Illustration of a pregnant person sitting on a chair checking their blood pressure in their left arm with an automatic blood pressure monitor. The person applies all tips for getting an accurate blood pressure reading.

1. Don’t Have a Conversation. Talking or active listening adds 10 mmHg.
2. Use Correct Cuff Size. Cuff too small adds 2 to 10 mmHg.
3. Put Cuff on Bare Arm. Cuff over clothing adds 5 to 50 mmHg.
4. Support Arm at Heart Level. Unsupported arm adds 10 mmHg.
5. Empty Bladder First. Full bladder adds 10 mmHg.
6. Keep Legs Uncrossed. Crossed legs adds 2 to 8 mmHg.
7. Support Back/Feet. Unsupported back and feet adds 6 mmHg.

Figure: Million Hearts® logo

Figure: American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) logo

Figure: American College of Nurse-Midwives logo

Figure: American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) logo

Figure: American College of Osteopathic Obstetricians & Gynecologists (ACOOG) logo

Figure: American Medical Association (AMA) logo

Figure: National Association of Nurse Practitioners in Women’s Health (NPWH) logo

Figure: Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine logo

This “7 Simple Tips to Get an Accurate Blood Pressure Reading” was adapted with permission of the American Medical Association and Johns Hopkins University. The original copyrighted content can be found at www.ama-assn.org/ama-johns-hopkins-blood-pressure-resources.

Sources:

1. et al. Recommendations for Blood Pressure Measurement in Humans and Experimental Animals Part 1: Blood Pressure Measurement in Humans. Circulation. 2005;111: 697-716.
2. Handler J. The importance of accurate blood pressure measurement.