| Allow patient to sit for 3–5 minutes before commencing
measurement |
| The SBP should be first estimated by palpation to avoid
missing the auscultatory gap |
| Take two readings 1–2 minutes apart. If consecutive
readings differ by > 5 mm, take additional readings |
| At initial consultation measure BP in both arms, and if
discrepant use the higher arm for future estimations |
| The patient should be seated, back supported, arm bared
and arm supported at heart level |
| Patients should not have smoked, ingested
caffeine-containing beverages or food in previous 30 min |
| An appropriate size cuff should be used: a standard
cuff (12 cm) for a normal arm and a larger cuff (15 cm) for an arm
with a mid-upper circumference > 33 cm (the bladder within the cuff
should encircle 80% of the arm) |
| Measure BP after 1 and 3 minutes of standing at first
consultation in the elderly, diabetics and in patients where
orthostatic hypotension is common |
| When adopting the auscultatory measurement use
Korotkoff 1 and V (disappearance) to identify SBP and DBP
respectively |
| Take repeated measurements in patients with atrial
fibrillation and other arthythmias to improve accuracy |
