If you’ve ever taken your blood pressure three times in a row and gotten three different numbers, you’re not alone - and your monitor probably isn’t broken.

The most common reason home readings swing around is how you’re sitting when you take them. Here’s the routine that makes your numbers trustworthy:

The 5-minute reading routine

  1. Sit for 5 quiet minutes first. No phone, no TV. Back supported, feet flat on the floor.
  2. Arm supported at heart height. Rest it on a table - not your lap, not raised in the air.
  3. Cuff on bare skin, on the upper arm, snug but not tight.
  4. Feet uncrossed. Crossing your legs can push the reading up.
  5. Take two readings a minute apart and write down both. The pattern over days matters more than any single number.

Why the pattern matters

One high reading after climbing the stairs means almost nothing. A weekly trend - the same reading, same time, same chair - is what your care team actually uses to make decisions.

That’s the idea behind the Weekly Trend Method: simple, repeatable readings that turn a pile of confusing numbers into a clear picture.

Next step

Want the full system? The ebook Calmly Making Sense of Home Blood Pressure Readings walks through readings, trends, and how to talk to your doctor about them - in plain language, no math.

Educational only - always work with your care team.