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Why are my readings different between home and at a 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.
Blood pressure fluctuates throughout the day. We recommend that you are
consistent in your daily measurement routine:
• Measure at the same time every day.
• Sit in the same chair/position.
• Do not cross legs and keep your feet flat on the floor.
• 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 a logbook.
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