Most people take their blood pressure with an automated cuff at home. If you are buying a cuff, buy a an arm cuff rather than a wrist cuff. Make sure the size is good and if you have a larger arm, the cuff needs to be larger. The same goes for if you have a smaller arm, use a smaller cuff. Some people with very thin arms will even need a pediatric cuff. This is important because if you have a large arm and the cuff isn’t large enough for your arm, then your blood pressure will appear falsely elevated. Similarly, if your cuff is too big for your arm, your blood pressure will appear lower than it actually is.
Blood pressure should be taken in a quiet room and your legs should not be crossed. Make sure you have been sitting for three minutes before you actually take your pressure. Also make sure that the arm is lying comfortably at the level of the heart.
