ReliOn
®
Customer Service Line: 1-800-726-9855
E-15
ABOUT BLOOD PRESSURE
Answers to Why Your Readings Are Different Between ■
Home and at the Doctor’s Office
Your blood pressure readings taken in a doctor’s office or hospital setting may
be elevated as a result of apprehension and anxiety. This response is known as
white coat hypertension.
When I bring my monitor to a doctor’s office, why do I get a
different measurement from my monitor to that taken by a
doctor or nurse?
The healthcare professional may be using a different sized cuff. The size of
the bladder inside the cuff is critical for the accuracy of the measurement.
This may give you a different reading. A cuff too large will produce a reading
that is lower than the correct blood pressure; a cuff that is too small will pro-
duce a reading that is higher than the correct blood pressure. There may also
be other factors that can cause the difference in measurements.
Keys to Successful Monitoring: ■
Blood pressure fluctuates throughout the day. We recommend that you are
consistent in your daily measurement routine:
Measure at the same time each day. ●
Sit in the same chair/position. ●
Do not cross legs and keep your feet at on the oor. ●
Relax for 5 minutes before measurement. ●
Use the correct cuff size to get an accurate reading. ●
Sit still during measurement – no talking, eating or sudden movements. ●
Record your measurement in the logbook. ●
