Source: American Heart Association Statment, March 2019

Guidance for Conducting HBPM (Home Blood Pressure Monitor)

• HBPM device and BP readings should be brought to healthcare visits
• BP readings may vary greatly (high and low) across the monitoring period
• Measure BP on upper arm

Best practices

Preparation:

• Have an empty bladder
• Rest quietly in seated position for at least 5 min
• Do not talk or text

Position:

• Sit with back supported
• Keep both feet flat on the floor
• Legs should not be crossed
• BP cuff should be placed on a bare arm (not over clothes)
• BP cuff should be placed directly above the antecubital fossa (bend of the arm)
• Center of the bladder of the cuff (commonly marked on the cuff by the manufacturer) should be placed over the arterial pulsation of the patient’s bare upper arm
• Cuff should be pulled taut, with comparable tightness at the top and bottom edges of the cuff, around the bare upper arm
• The arm with the cuff should be supported on a flat surface such as a table

Number of readings:

• Take 2 readings at least 1 min apart
• If on HTN medication: take 2 readings at least 1 min apart in the morning before taking antihypertensive medications and 2 readings at least 1 min apart in the evening before going to bed

Duration of monitoring:

• Preferred monitoring period is at least 7 days (ie, 28 readings or more scheduled readings)
• Monitoring conducted over consecutive days is ideal; however, readings taken on nonconsecutive days may also provide valid data

Analyzing readings

• For each monitoring period, the average of all readings should be obtained