Before each reading

• Measure at around the same times each day.
• Sit quietly for five minutes before pressing start.
• Empty your bladder first.
• Avoid smoking or caffeine for at least 30 minutes beforehand.
• Avoid measuring immediately after eating or vigorous exercise.
• Measure before medicines only if this matches your clinician's plan.

Correct position

• Sit with your back supported.
• Keep both feet flat on the floor.
• Do not cross your legs.
• Place the cuff on your bare upper arm.
• Support your arm so the cuff is around heart level.
• Do not talk during the reading.
• Take two readings one minute apart and record both.

Take and record

• Take two readings one minute apart.
• Write down both readings, not just the lowest or highest.
• Record pulse if shown and any relevant symptoms or comments.
• Do not change medicines based on home readings unless your treating clinician has told you to.

Call the practice

• Readings remain unexpectedly high or low after you have rested and repeated them.
• Readings are outside the personal range given by your clinician.
• You have symptoms with an abnormal reading.
• You are unsure whether your monitor, cuff size or technique is correct.
• You are unsure how often to measure or what to bring to your review.

Follow-up

• Bring your readings to your planned appointment.
• Bring your monitor if your GP or nurse has asked to check it.
• Your GP will interpret the readings in context, including your health conditions, medicines and individual target.
• Continue prescribed medicines unless your treating clinician advises otherwise.

Call 000

Call 000 for severe chest pain, severe difficulty breathing, new facial droop, arm weakness or speech difficulty, collapse or loss of consciousness, sudden severe neurological symptoms, or another severe or rapidly worsening problem. Emergency action is based on the clinical situation and symptoms, not simply one isolated home reading.

Rochedale Family Practice is not an emergency service.