You may have heard your GP reading out your blood pressure before with two figures. Both of these numbers are really important when it comes to your blood pressure. A blood pressure monitor will give you two readings. Nutritionist, Rory Batt MSc, BSc from Marvin's Den advises, "Don't drink caffeine, alcohol, smoke or exercise within half an hour of measuring. Make sure your bladder is empty before you measure, and relax and sit still for five minutes beforehand. Diastolic pressure is the pressure when your heart rests between beats As a general guide, use the below for reference: Nutritionist, Rory Batt MSc, BSc from Marvin's Den is a nutritionist who uses functional medicine to establish the root cause of illness to achieve optimal health. He enjoys using his skills to develop products, services and systems that can help individuals achieve lasting health in a targeted and personalised way.

Low blood pressure is considered to be 90/60mmHg or lower Can I use apps to monitor my blood pressure? If you want to buy a blood pressure monitor that’s clinically validated by a professional body, we suggest choosing one approved by the British and Irish Hypertension Society. This means the monitor has had to pass a series of tests to make sure the results are completely trustworthy, even by doctors’ standards. Anything else to consider? One in three people in the UK has high blood pressure or hypertension, but many aren't aware of it. Most people with high blood pressure have no symptoms and the only way to find out is to be measured.

How to choose a home blood pressure monitor

Best easy-to-use blood pressure monitor: Boots Pharmaceuticals Blood Pressure Monitor – view on Boots If you decide to take your blood pressure at home, you will need to get a home blood pressure monitor. There is a wide range of home blood pressure monitors available, but it is important to be sure that the blood pressure monitor you choose is accurate and the right one for you. You’ll feel the cuff inflate quite rapidly. It may temporarily be a bit tender or uncomfortable for, as the cuff inflates and deflates automatically, but this will only be for a short period of time. If it is too tender/uncomfortable you can just press the ‘Stop’ button and the cuff will instantly deflate. Make sure the cuff is the right size for your arm: Make sure you have the right cuff size for your arm. It should wrap snugly around your upper arm, with just enough space to slide two fingertips underneath. Most home blood pressure monitors will come with a medium-sized cuff. If your upper arm is particularly larger or smaller than average, you may need to buy a different sized cuff separately.

Use a cuff that correctly fits your arm, as one that is too small will skew the reading. Sit upright, with your feet on the floor and keep your arm at heart level. Finally, measure your blood pressure at the same time each day to keep readings consistent with your lifestyle." Additionally, Cheryl Lythgoe, Matron at Benenden Health says, "The real danger with blood pressure comes when we ignore it or don’t see it as important. As symptoms aren’t always easy to spot, without an accurate reading you could be in danger of missing out on a vital indication that you are at risk of a serious medical condition." Find out how to choose a reliable blood pressure monitor so you can measure your blood pressure at home. Jump straight to:Best overall blood pressure monitor: OMRON M3 Comfort Upper Arm Blood Pressure Monitor – view on Argos Make sure the cuff is comfortable and fits correctly or you won’t get an accurate reading – most blood pressure monitors come with an average fitting, but if you’re large or on the very slim side, you may need a non-standard size.

Find out more about how you can measure and manage your blood pressure at home Want to get fit and healthy? Cheryl Lythgoe, Matron at Benenden Health is an Advanced Nurse Practitioner who has a wealth of experience in diagnosing and managing many health conditions. Cheryl Lythgoe MSc joined Benenden Health in December 2018 following 15 years working in primary care.Make sure it’s UK approved: If you are buying a blood pressure monitor, make sure it is approved for use in the UK. To make sure your monitor is accurate, choose one that has been listed as validated for accuracy by the British and Irish Hypertension Society (BIHS). This means that the digital monitor has gone through a series of tests to make sure it gives results that you and your doctor can trust. The best blood pressure monitors you can buy in 2023 1. Omron Evolv: Best blood pressure monitor for home use

For more information, see the British Heart Foundation’s guide – Blood Pressure Monitors: All you need to know. Why not buy a blood pressure monitor from our online shop? All the monitors we sell are validated by the British and Irish Hypertension Society. If money is no object, you can get a more advanced version of the Withings monitor, the BPM Core, which adds electrocardiogram readings, as well as a digital stethoscope that Withings claims can “detect valvular heart diseases”.A normal blood pressurereading is below 140/90, but if you have heart or circulatory disease, diabetesor kidney disease, your blood pressureshould ideally be less than 130/80. Place the cuff over your upper arm and tighten the cuff over your arm, making sure you can fit two fingers underneath the cuff. You want the cuff to be over the upper part of your arm with the tubing leading down the centre or slightly to the right of your arm.