

It’s important to get an accurate blood pressure reading so that you have a clearer picture of your risk for heart disease and stroke.Ī reading that says your blood pressure is lower than it actually is may give you a false sense of security about your health. Crossing your legs and letting your arm droop at your side rather than rest on a table at chest height can make your blood pressure go up. If you smoked, drank alcohol or caffeine, or exercised within 30 minutes of having your blood pressure measured, your reading might be higher.

You and your health care team can take steps to control your blood pressure if it is too high. Measure your blood pressure regularly to help your health care team diagnose any health problems early. Shareable Handouts and Tools in English and Spanish.What should I do if my blood pressure numbers are high?.How often should I measure my blood pressure?.How can I measure my blood pressure at home?.How do health care professionals measure my blood pressure?.What is the correct way to measure blood pressure?.Where can I get my blood pressure checked?.

Why do I need to measure my blood pressure?.
