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Blood pressure should be taken after approximately five minutes of rest, under
relaxed conditions and in a quiet environment.
Exercise, eating, drinking alcohol, smoking and other activities that effect blood
pressure should be avoided prior to measurement.
Cuff measurement position should be at the height of the heart to obtain correct
measurement results. If the cuff is lower (higher) than the heart, the measured
reading tends to become larger (smaller).
There should be no speaking or moving during blood pressure measurement.
Otherwise correct measurement results cannot be obtained.
The ambient temperature should be approximately 20˚C for blood pressure
measurement.
Any shirt or accessories that might restrict circulation in the upper arm should
be taken off for blood pressure measurement.
Sleeves rolled up over the upper arm will restrict the blood flow and lead to
inaccurate measurement.
Measurement of blood pressure should not be repeated immediately since
congestion of blood could result in inaccurate measurement. There should be at
least 5 minutes between measurements.
NOTES ON BLOOD PRESSURE