Why does my blood pressure cuff give me different readings?

Equipment-related. If a cuff is too small or too large, errors in measurement can occur. Adding to inaccuracy are automated devices that have not been tested for accuracy, which can account for errors in systolic BP.


How do I know if my blood pressure cuff is accurate?

Check for accuracy

“If the systolic blood pressure (the top number) on your cuff is within 10 points of the monitor, then it's generally accurate,” he says. Most home blood pressure machines last for about two or three years. After that, check it at your doctor's office annually to make sure it's still accurate.

Why do I keep getting different readings on my blood pressure cuff?

Expect variations between monitors.

Not all BP monitors are calibrated exactly alike, which can lead to differences in readings. Some monitors may also be unreliable. The Omada BP monitor is FDA-cleared and has been shown to be accurate within +/- 10mmHG in clinical testing.


Can home blood pressure monitors give false readings?

But home blood pressure monitors aren't always as accurate as they should be. "Home blood pressure monitors may be inaccurate in 5% to 15% of patients, depending on the threshold for accuracy used," according to Dr. Swapnil Hiremath, a kidney specialist at Ottawa Hospital in Canada.

Can a tight cuff give a high blood pressure reading?

Using a blood pressure cuff that's too large or too small can give you inaccurate blood pressure readings. Your doctor's office should have several sizes of cuffs to ensure an accurate blood pressure reading.


Should you take multiple Blood Pressure readings? How many BP readings are required?



Does cuff placement affect blood pressure reading?

Incorrect cuff positioning introduces a systematic overestimation of auscultatory BP when the cuff is too small in relation to arm circumference but not when it is correctly sized. No systematic error was observed with oscillometric measurements obtained with a specially designed wide-range cuff.

Should my blood pressure cuff be tight or loose?

You should place it tight enough so that you can only slip two fingertips under the top edge of the cuff. Make sure your skin doesn't pinch when the cuff inflates.

How many times should I take my blood pressure to get an accurate reading?

Measure your blood pressure twice daily. The first measurement should be in the morning before eating or taking any medications, and the second in the evening. Each time you measure, take two or three readings to make sure your results are accurate.


Why does my blood pressure fluctuate within minutes?

Everyone's blood pressure rises and falls many times during the course of a single day, sometimes even within minutes. Many factors contribute to these changes, including physical activity, emotion, body position, diet (especially salt and alcohol intake), and sleep deprivation.

Why is the first BP reading always high?

Your first blood pressure reading will almost always be higher than the second due to a wide range of factors, both environmental and psychological. These factors include white coat syndrome, stress, and having a full bladder.

Why is second blood pressure reading always lower than first?

Diastolic pressure (the second, lower number) reflects the pressure in the arteries when the heart rests between beats. Over eight years, more than 44,000 people in the study had a heart attack or stroke.


Can I take my blood pressure multiple times in a row?

It's ideal to measure your blood pressure twice a day for two weeks leading up to a doctor's appointment, or following a change in medication. At each sitting, measure your blood pressure three times, but discard the first reading as it tends to be inaccurate. Write down the average of the second and third reading.

What time of day is BP the lowest?

Blood pressure typically drops in the late afternoon and evening. Blood pressure is usually lower at night while sleeping. The blood pressure measurement at night is called nocturnal blood pressure.

What time of day should blood pressure be taken?

Take it first in the morning before eating or taking any medications. Take it again in the evening. Each time you measure, take two or three readings to make sure your results are the same. Your health care provider might recommend taking your blood pressure at the same times each day.


What is stroke level blood pressure?

Call 911 or emergency medical services if your blood pressure is 180/120 mm Hg or greater and you have chest pain, shortness of breath, or symptoms of stroke. Stroke symptoms include numbness or tingling, trouble speaking, or changes in vision.

How long after you wake up should you take your blood pressure?

Your blood pressure should be checked in the morning, about an hour after you wake up, and in the evening, about an hour before you go to sleep, using the same arm each time. Taking 3 consecutive measurements (about 1 minute apart) will provide a more accurate understanding of your "true" blood pressure.

How can I stop worrying about my blood pressure?

Before you strap on the blood pressure cuff, keep these tips in mind for a normal reading:
  1. Relax. If you're feeling anxious or worried when you sit down to have your blood pressure measured, ask the doctor or nurse to wait a bit so you can calm down.
  2. Move to a different area. ...
  3. Practice stress relief. ...
  4. Change the conversation.


How long should you wait before taking another blood pressure reading?

It is recommended to wait at least 1 minute between blood pressure (BP) readings.

Should you measure BP immediately again?

It's also a good idea to take your blood pressure again after about 3 minutes. Taking your blood pressure twice each time can help you check that your measurement was correct. If there is a large difference between the two readings, take a third reading.

Which arm should blood pressure be taken left or right?

(It's best to take your blood pressure from your left arm if you are right-handed. However, you can use the other arm if you have been told to do so by your healthcare provider.) Rest in a chair next to a table for 5 to 10 minutes. (Your left arm should rest comfortably at heart level.)


Can a tight blood pressure cuff cause a low reading?

The most common error when using indirect blood pressure measuring equipment is using an incorrectly sized cuff. A BP cuff that is too large will give falsely low readings, while an overly small cuff will provide readings that are falsely high.

Does arm size affect blood pressure?

Muscular Patients

Upper arm muscle mass index tends to overestimate systolic blood pressure and underestimate diastolic blood pressure.

How do you relax before a blood pressure test?

There are ways to relax during a home or even in-office blood pressure test so you can get a good reading.
  1. Time it well. Timing is important when it comes to taking blood pressure. ...
  2. Go to the bathroom. ...
  3. Wait for a few minutes. ...
  4. Check your breathing. ...
  5. Visualize. ...
  6. Make small talk. ...
  7. Keep practicing. ...
  8. Live a healthy lifestyle.