High Blood Pressure

Frequently Asked Questions

10. What can I do to prepare to have my blood pressure taken?

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Here is how to prepare to have your blood pressure taken.

• You should be sitting or lying down and relaxed when your blood pressure is taken.
• Don't drink coffee or smoke cigarettes for 30 minutes beforehand.
• Sit for five minutes with your back supported, your feet flat on the floor, and ground.
• Rest your arm on a table at the level of your heart.
• Wear short sleeves so your arm is exposed.
• Go to the bathroom prior to the reading. A full bladder can change the reading.