How to Measure Blood Pressure at Home Infographic

Blood Pressure Measurement Instructions

Before You Measure

  • No smoking, caffeinated beverages, alcohol, or exercise 30 minutes prior
  • Use a validated device with the correct cuff size (visit Validate BP to find a device you can trust)
  • Empty your bladder
  • Sit quietly for more than 5 minutes and do not talk

Proper Positioning

  • Sit upright with back supported, feet on floor, and legs uncrossed
  • Rest your arm comfortably on a flat surface at heart level
  • Wrap the cuff on your bare skin above the bend of the elbow, not over clothing

During Measurement

  • Stay relaxed and do not talk
  • Take at least two readings, 1 minute apart
  • Record all results once measurement is completed and share them with your health care professional to help confirm your office blood pressure category

Blood pressure higher than 180/120 mm hg may be a hypertensive emergency*

  • *Wait a few minutes and take blood pressure again
  • *If your blood pressure is still high and there are no other signs or symptoms, contact your health care professional
  • *If you are experiencing signs of possible organ damage, such as chest pain, shortness of breath, back pain, numbness/ weakness, change in vision or difficulty speaking, call 911

American Heart Association recommended blood pressure levels

BLOOD PRESSURE CATEGORY SYSTOLIC mm Hg (top/upper number) and/or DIASTOLIC mm Hg (bottom/lower number)
NORMAL LESS THAN 120 and LESS THAN 80
ELEVATED 120 – 129 and LESS THAN 80
STAGE 1 HYPERTENSION (High Blood Pressure) 130 – 139 or 80 – 89
STAGE 2 HYPERTENSION (High Blood Pressure) 140 OR HIGHER or 90 OR HIGHER
SEVERE HYPERTENSION (If you don’t have symptoms*, call your health care professional) HIGHER THAN 180 and/or HIGHER THAN 120
HYPERTENSIVE EMERGENCY (If you have any of these symptoms*, call 911) HIGHER THAN 180 and/or HIGHER THAN 120
*symptoms: chest pain, shortness of breath, back pain, numbness, weakness, change in vision, or difficulty speaking

Learn more at heart.org/bp.

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Última actualización: ago. 14, 2025