Make sure your blood pressure readings are accurate
Blood pressure is an important indicator of your health. But to be of any value, it has to be accurate. Your numbers should be the average of two measurements taken at least a minute apart.
You should not be talking during the test and the blood pressure cuff should be about the level of your heart.
"You should be in the doctor's office sitting not lying, sitting in a chair not on the table, because you want your back supported," says Dr. John Swartzberg at the UC Berkeley Wellness Letter.
Swartzberg says blood pressure can vary based on the time of day, what you've had to eat or drink and what you did just before the test. That's why you should not smoke, exercise or consume caffeine during the 30 minutes before having your blood pressure taken.
Some people get so nervous being in the doctor's office, their blood pressure goes up.
"You can check it yourself at home in a much more relaxed environment. And you can keep those records and bring them in a show your doctor."
Dr. Swartzberg says a diagnosis of high blood pressure should never be based on readings taken during a single office visit.
For more information
Blood Pressure: Getting It Right
You should not be talking during the test and the blood pressure cuff should be about the level of your heart.
"You should be in the doctor's office sitting not lying, sitting in a chair not on the table, because you want your back supported," says Dr. John Swartzberg at the UC Berkeley Wellness Letter.
Swartzberg says blood pressure can vary based on the time of day, what you've had to eat or drink and what you did just before the test. That's why you should not smoke, exercise or consume caffeine during the 30 minutes before having your blood pressure taken.
Some people get so nervous being in the doctor's office, their blood pressure goes up.
"You can check it yourself at home in a much more relaxed environment. And you can keep those records and bring them in a show your doctor."
Dr. Swartzberg says a diagnosis of high blood pressure should never be based on readings taken during a single office visit.
For more information
Blood Pressure: Getting It Right
I routinely test high in my primary care doctor's office - maybe because of the stress of the nasty tests she tends to order. At specialists offices - my neuro clinic and the allergy office - I test low, probably because those are very low stress visits. Next time I see my primary care doc, I'm going to tell her to quit being concerned about my blood pressure - I am no where near the danger zone.
I usually read high in the doctors office and he wanted to start me on meds. Â I got a home testing device and averaged a couple of readings together while sitting. Â Over the course of a couple months it was obvious my blood pressure was almost right where it should be. Â I wonder how many others are in the same position.
@cyclops If your home testing device doesn't include the stethescope method and is an automatic with digital read out, take it a known good BP cuff  at the fire dept and compare readings to make sure you are reading good numbers. You can expect some variation but if you're 20 points off, I'd aim it at the nearest garbage can and get another. If you are using a stethescope, please disregard this rambling. High BP left untreated will cause damage almost everywhere until you're dead.
 @T_BONE_WALKER I do use a automatic digital but it is not a cheap one.  At the doctors office,  often times they take it while sitting on the table, not a chair . Plus they only take it once.  Also there can be a time lapse with a nurse listening and looking at the gauge using a stethoscope.Â