Precautions for use

Blood pressure in an individual is not constant but varies during the day depending on different factors:

• It decreases at rest and increases with physical activity.
• It falls when asleep.
• It increases with meals.
• It varies with the ambient temperature.
• A strong emotion causes a significant increase (systolic pressure can reach 200 mmHg in a perfectly normal subject).

Knowing this, there are some precautions of use to observe before and during measurement:

• Take your measurements under the same conditions (at the same time of day, on the same arm).
• Relax for 5 minutes before taking a measurement.
• Sit comfortably in a quiet place, feet flat on the floor, without crossing your legs.
• Place the cuff at the same level as your heart. See How to place the cuff properly.
• Don't talk and don't move for the entire measurement.
• Breathe normally.