The Right Way to Check Your Blood Pressure at Home | A Doctor Explains

The Right Way to Check Your Blood Pressure At Home
Checking your blood pressure at home can help your doctor more accurately monitor your health and adjust your medications.
Watch this video to learn the best way to check your blood pressure at home. This is the way to most accurately measure it and make sure your doctor has the right information.
Make sure you are doing it the right way.
-No alcohol or tobacco
-Empty your bladder
-Sit with your back supported and your feet on the floor
-Sit quietly for 5 minutes
-Keep stressors away from you
-Have your arm supported
-After the reading takes place, rest a minute and check it again.
Content Chapters:
00:00 - Introduction
00:24 - Keeping Your Blood Pressure Controlled
00:54 - Monitoring Blood Pressure at Doctor's Office vs Home
01:38 - First Step: Go to the Bathroom
01:54 - How to Sit for a Blood Pressure Reading
02:18 - Choosing the Right Blood Pressure Cuff
02:48 - Preparing for the Test in a Calm Environment
03:33 - Taking the First Reading
04:10 - Take a Second Reading
04:41 - Record Your Blood Pressure Readings
05:29 - What to Avoid Before a Reading
05:49 - Seeing High Numbers? Don't Panic
06:22 - Conclusion
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Working as a kidney doctor, I found that my patients were often unaware of just how important diet and lifestyle were and how often they felt unsupported by generic advice to “eat healthy”.
The home cook in me hated hearing this, so I set out to find a better way. I began to combine my medical training and love of food, making videos of simple recipes that were based on science and packed with flavor. Instead of just saying “eat healthy” to my patients, I could give them the resources they needed to make a real difference in their health.
Kidney doctor, passionate home cook, and KZbin sensation Dr Blake Shusterman empowers people to proactively manage their health by stepping into the kitchen. The author of several cookbooks with over 100,000 KZbin subscribers, The Cooking Doc® believes anyone, at any age can transform their health with small changes that make a big difference. Based on science and packed with flavor, Dr. Blake’s simple recipes have inspired home cooks everywhere to change their diet, retrain their taste buds, and transform their health.
The information, including but not limited to, text, graphics, images and other material contained on this website are for informational purposes only. The purpose of this website is to promote health and wellness. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment and before undertaking a new health care regimen, and never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website.

[@justinesimone5343]

Thank you. Good advice. Nurses in Drs office need to watch this. They take BP when we just ran down the hallway to a chair in Drs office. We're not even sitting in right position. Arm is lower than my heart, feet not flat on floor. If I question it, response? "no it doesn't matter!"

[@thecookingdoc]

Well said! So true. Thank you.

[@deborahlearman6009]

I stop the nurse…I say…I just walked down all these corridors…I do not want you checking my b/p till I have a few minutes to settle down…and…don’t ask me any Q’s cause I don’t talk when my b/p is being recorded and…please, do NOT pump it up till I’m in a panic! I tell them my reg bp #’s and that I’ll jerk the cuff off! My normal b/p reading is 104/60ish . I tell her I do NOT want a false b/p wrote down in my medical records because she won’t let me calm down! They usually take it twice since they don’t believe the low numbers.

[@estelledean6563]

They should also stop asking questions whilst taking bp, they want the job done and you want to be ok.

[@nassermj7671]

1st thing in the morn prior to coffee, food etc. my drill.

[@john-bv9ni]

You are right they are either ignorent wicked or greedy. I am at st John's Bangalore for the past 16 days trying to get my pressure down.Hundrefs roaming around for the same purpose its a money making racket. We have to work so hard to earn 500 to 600/ Rs but they take it for strapping our hand every 2nd day these shameless people. My Dr turned the machine from my view saying you must not see it. He would not show the reading on the monitor to my nurse n wife. When I take my pressure outside its lower and inside is higher. This clip gives us the correct reason. Only deep breathing brings my pressure down now ill take some MAGNESIUM thernate sleep will improve and it'll dilate arteries. Going back to Kolkata for surgery. John

[@mikegan73]

In Ireland if you get a high blood pressure reading when you visit the Doctor, they give you a monitor which you have to wear for a day and night and then you return it the next morning for them to assess it and make a judgement on how they should treat you.

[@GorgieClarissa]

in america... they just offer you thoughts and prayers

[@Lalitha-jt6ge]

​@@GorgieClarissa🌿🙏👌🔔is it true Ji 🔯🌿

[@alonenomore3346]

Not in America they send u home with nothing

[@enoch1680]

Your cuff should be back toward your shoulder about an inch from where you have it and it needs to be rotated so that the tube is pointing toward your palm, as per instructions on the BP machine. The tube is serving the purpose of air pump as well as stethoscope. So the place where the tube leaves the cuff needs to be over your Brachial artery. I suspect that having the tube straighter is also helpful.

[@thrivingbranch]

One thing that's always puzzled me, is, we take all these extra steps at home (sitting, calm, wait 5 minutes, arm supported on table, etc), but yet when I'm at a doctors office, they do *none* of these things-- in fact I've often had them take my blood pressure immediately after getting off the weight scale, and usually _while_ they're also taking my temperature and putting the oxygen sensor on my index finger. I used to think I had "white coat syndrome" but maybe it's because they're rushing to do everything at once? Thoughts?

[@americanmade4791]

Me too--sometimes right after walking in and up stairs. When that has yielded a BP I've had the nurse take it again, after I've sat for several minutes, even after the office visit is technically over.

[@thrivingbranch]

@@americanmade4791 It's good that they're willing to take it again. Mine don't do it again until I specifically ask for it.

[@tonylevine2716]

And with a long sleeve shirt on.

[@user-hp5ob2uc1u]

I am an former cardiac ICU RN and know how important it is to take your blood pressure properly. You did a good job and gave a lot of helpful hints but the major thing you forgot was the size of the blood pressure cuff and the placement of the blood pressure cuff. I would put a new video out so people will place the blood pressure cuff on properly. People will get an inaccurate blood pressure if you don’t have the proper size especially when there are a lot of obese people in the nation. Cardiologists would have a fit if a nurse put on the wrong size cuff and had the wrong placement because they know you will get an inaccurate blood pressure.

[@veritas5008]

I spotted the placement error immediately. The tube should be inline with the middle of the inside of the forearm.

[@askme4it]

....I was told of a senior charge nurse that wasn't aware of the importance of cuff size, when the technician, diplomatically pointed this out and proved the monitor was working OK..... well, you can guesshow unimpressed she was !!!

[@tonylevine2716]

Yes, saw those errors also. I have muscular arms so had to get the XL cuff. Also, palms should be up with the tube running towards the middle finger. The wrist monitors are trash so use the cuff.

[@carmeneckmann8681]

Thank-You for being calm and friendly. Makes a difference. I know I get scared that I'm going to get bad news. One time I was told I had cancer and the tests hadn't even come back yet. It was a very hard time in my life. No one should be told they have cancer unless they have the tests to prove it.

[@ElJaguarNegro]

My nurse took my BP with a thin sweater on & was 146/81 then 126/81…. I ended up purchasing my own monitor because I am pregnant & this monitor will be a life saver 🙏 Never had BP issues

[@jeffchandler7662]

I found when visiting the docs is to breath in slowly thro your nose for 4 seconds and exhale that air out of your mouth for 8 seconds Works for me every time !! It’s calming

[@augustinemerchant2266]

8

[@garydixon9742]

No that is yoga breath don’t do that while getting blood pressure continuously in slowly out slowly fill your belly not your lungs a good walk almost every day with good foods don’t over eat stop eating after 7 pm remember all fruit turns to sugar after that roughly just say if I over eat I will or might have a heart attack everything in moderation

[@sparra3819]

@@garydixon9742 I need to learn more about the after 7 fruit turns to sugar, but you're on point.

[@MegaBikie]

@@garydixon9742 I tried several times but can't make sense out of that sentence.

[@ellebelle8515]

Thank you, Doctor, for showing your higher blood pressure readings while making this video. It demonstrates what happens to many of us when we are in the doctor's office.

[@trevorforde9813]

Thanks for the tips.

[@americanmade4791]

Who'd have thunk it: doctor with white coat syndrome. Physician, heal thyself! 😝

[@rodshelley1170]

I picked up one of those Omron monitors - very similar to the one you're using. My FNP told me during my last checkup that my BP was low, and I had an irregular heartbeat. I've seen a Cardiologist and showed him the readings I've kept track of since getting that monitor. He said the readings all looked good even with the occasional irregularity. He did say if I felt any symptoms as you described to get to the nearest ER. So far, so good (I'm 74).

[@bubblechaser5369]

Thanks. I've been looking for proper info, like this

[@vanessadavis1306]

Thank you! This was very helpful👍🏽

[@dcat266]

I joked with my doctor that there should be a KZbin video about using my blood pressure cuff at home. It's great that a doctor is doing this video. Thanks 🇨🇦👏

[@patmcbride9853]

After moving to a new house, I lost track of my BP monitor and started feeling symptoms similar to my time before being prescribed a BP drug. I found it yesterday and my BP was 170/75 and that had me worried, but this AM it was 137/74, then I urinated and it was 119/70. My symptoms seem less urgent now, but still worthy of a conversation with my physician. (I've never been sitting in a chair when they take my BP in a doctor's office.)

[@mexveracruz5736]

So happy I found you . I have had bad BP lately

[@teresamichele4747]

Very helpful thank you!

[@trussmonkey5910]

I was hoping you would cover more of the correct placement of the cuff on the arm. Where is the artery? How do I align the cuff properly? Where should the tube be? The instructions that came with my blood pressure monitor were vague.

[@trishalee3198]

The red thing on the cuff should align with the middle of the forearm (that is the artery). Take your BP machine to your MD and ask for directions, or take it to the place of purchase and ask a Pharmacist to show you. It should have come with very good instructions. The tube should not be wrapped around the arm or bent but flowing freely.

[@carriecastagnino9596]

Thank you so much for this video. I am a nurse in a heart failure clinic. When we get new patients who are newly diagnosed with heart failure, we give them a kit that includes a BP monitor. I always teach them how to use the monitor and have them teach back. This is a great reference tool for them if they forget how to use the monitor.

[@muthukrishnanchellappa260]

Thank you very much Dr. Blake. It is a great video with a lot of information presented in a simplistic manner. Hats off to you!!👏👏👏

[@deborahdufel1664]

Just found your channel, thank you for your recommendations and thoughts.

[@smitajky]

By experiment I had found many of these. For example I found that the blood pressure was always up by 10 to 15 counts at the doctors compared to it being taken at the blood bank. Taken immediately after extreme exercise it was very high. I used to find that if I took three readings spaced by a few minutes that the numbers continued to fall. But with relaxing for quite a few minutes after putting the cuff on the three readings tend to be a lot more consistent. I have to assume that they are valid.

[@2-old-Forthischet]

There was a year when my heart was racing erratically off and on for no apparent reason. I went through every possible test from head to toe and multiple times. My doctor helped me out by consulting my case with her friends who were specialists. In the end, it was a hyper active thyroid causing everything. But, in this process, I found out from an EMT that eating a good meal before taking a blood pressure can give you a lower blood pressure. I tried his suggestion and shazam, he was right! Of course I'm much older now and on meds.

[@leonardfleet50]

You sure it wasn't caused by your wife?!

[@2-old-Forthischet]

@@leonardfleet50 no, I eliminated that variable later and it didn't matter. Old age sucks.

[@marieseverejean-francois2274]

Thank you for your advice.

[@joycearyee3266]

Thank you so much for the information. I am glad to hear this. You made simple to understand.

[@feedmyintellect]

Thank you Doctor for demonstrating the importance of being in a calm relaxing environment and relaxing for 5 minutes with the cuff on before measuring blood pressure. And for saying that, it is important to repeat that a minute later. I have confirmed white coat syndrome diagnosed by a cardiologist. It is like a subconscious anxiety. My blood pressure show up higher at the doctors office. And it is almost always higher the first time I measure it at home. It is so important to measure blood pressure when it is at its lowest natural rate and not being spiked by events, environment, or white coat syndrome. Thank you for emphasizing this and modeling it.

[@somuchtruth2306]

I have white coat hypertension and a similar dynamic even affects my home readings. Namely, I become anxious in taking my FIRST reading and it is often quite high. It is typical, however, for it to come down a bit on my second reading, and more still on my third reading (each spaced a minute apart). Some experts feel we should take three readings in total, toss out the first one, and average the last two.

[@stelladonnelly2832]

Same here, I feel anxious even in the quiet at home - I take several readings and the last couple are always a lot lower.

[@Memow-pk1ng]

@@stelladonnelly2832 me too, get anxious, 2nd & third are always lower.

[@thecookingdoc]

I understand the first reading can cause a lot of anxiety in many of my patients. Even I have to take several readings as I find a way to breathe and relax. Creating a quiet space in your home and just resting and breathing can make such a difference.

[@av8rshane491]

My Omron BP785 has a setting where it does exactly that and you don’t have to move to activate it and pauses for 60 seconds between. Works great because you don’t have to move or think about anything but relaxing.

[@bbkerrC4S]

Glad I am not the only one…THX

[@meadowfield2024]

Thank you for the information

[@ellapresley8634]

Thank you Doctor, I was checking my BP along with you and it was "pretty good"!!

[@HiloBoiz808]

Chronic high BP entire adult life, I'm 66 male.Ate a strict vegan diet for over 5 years, never lowered my BP one notch.I am not a doctor guy so never pursued a medical solution.I got a reading of 180/90 at the firehouse which prompted me to find a solution.Had been several years since I ate vegan.Several months ago I started a carnivore diet, 6 weeks into it i had a near normal BP reading,130/78.Now almost a year of eating meat,fish,eggs,butter and lots of salt I get consistent normal BP readings.I have a machine and take my BP often.

[@fliplopez7031]

Thank you so much for explaining it the way you did. Recently I had an incident of dehydration; working as a cna an 8 hr shift and drinking no water the whole shift due to a busy night. I'm healthy and hydrated morning and usually all day otherwise. It's a second shift job that this incident occured on. I woke up the next day ;dry mouth, a little fog headed. It has happened to me before, but this would be the first time taking my blood pressure ever, when I was dehydrated. It was pretty high and I was scared. I didn't know if it was from being dehydrated or what?! Needless to say , I took my bp so many times for the next 5 days, with no good explanation on how to actually correctly and calmly to get a accurate reading. It's better 5 days later, but watching your video made so much sense and made me even more at ease. Thank you for posting and for everything you do for many humans! You're a good man ❤❤🙏🙏🙏

[@Bird20009]

This was the best thank you

[@melissaabraham8826]

This was so useful thank you I’m struggling with my blood pressure lately everything I was doing was wrong now I’ll give a try now you’ve explained how to do it at home thank you much

[@ivysuz]

Great video. Very clear and you get right to it. I also love that you shared your actual readings. You're human! Thank you

[@thecookingdoc]

😆😆Thanks so much Suzanne! I really appreciate that- one human to another human. 🤣

[@DsnyLuv]

Thank you; this is great. Would love more about HBP. Thank you for the no panic. A question, isn’t the cuff cord supposed to be aligned with the artery in the arm?

[@HemiBurns]

This was an EXCELLENT and useful video. THANK YOU!!

[@relevantinformation6655]

Excellent presentation !!!

[@apmgold]

This video was much more informative and therefore more helpful, than I thought it would be. Thank you for the effort you put into this video, it is very much appreciated.

[@thecookingdoc]

I really appreciate that apm gold. Thank you so much.

[@Mr-hn2bp]

Stress hormones have a great effect on heart rate and thus BP. THIS IS why every BP measurement comes with a measurement of your heart rate, the number of heart beats per minute. It serves as a means of gauging how much of your BP was affected by your conditions, stress level, exercise level and psychological state, etc.

[@m.e.1297]

An excellent video, doc. Saving people’s lives on KZbin. You are a saint!

[@Shane4Bass]

This is great advice! As an anxious person I have found that reading some text while checking my blood pressure is also a good distraction. Otherwise, I tend to think too much, which does not help my blood pressure readings!

[@creativequeen8371]

Yep. I hear you.

[@moc5541]

Indeed. I have found that I have to take the reading three times, and the numbers decline with each repetition... often by 10 mm (systolic). My theory is that the cuff strangling my upper arm is interpreted by my brain as a real threat, and takes some getting used to.

[@widowssonpm22]

Thank you for the video. Some excellent information in here.

[@hapkijo9713]

Thank you, I have been getting high readings for over a week. Now I understand why. 🙏

[@philbhudri-ws6dl]

This is such a good advise to all

[@thecookingdoc]

Thank you so much Phil!

[@jackkauer7022]

Great video, surprised to realize how getting your BP in doctors office can be inaccurate. Learned alot about the correct way to take blood pressure

[@thecookingdoc]

Thanks so much Jack for watching and commenting. Appreciate this!

[@kevinlucas8437]

You confirmed what we do, ours are monitored thru athelas. Thanks for the tips !!!

[@SuperMaugi]

Thank you for these very important information.

[@nickywilks7928]

So helpful. My dad has heart failure and my mum has pulmonary embolisms so I take their blood pressure and oxygen levels on a regular basis...thanks so much for this video.

[@tamaraspillis612]

Thanks doc for not manipulating the numbers for the video. Just wonderful for a reality ck😃

[@thecookingdoc]

Thanks so much Tamara. I try to be as real as possible. 😀

[@nareshbhangoo441]

Good tips Doc! Thanks!

[@jackrook3847]

Thank you for taking the time to make this informative video..

[@petereshaw]

My blood pressure has dropped significantly since loosing significant weight by drinking more water and natural lemon juice with apple cider vinegar fairly regularly, reducing portion sizes and avoiding processed and junk food.

[@bobbear4437]

Your spoke the truth, the omly way to loose weight is to lower calories, stop eating fast food junk, processed, or precooked frozen foods, and drink enogh water each day to stay hydrated! Add some exercise and some fiber to your diet, and your golden!

[@hennakhakwany7823]

And avoiding negativity

[@beedevil11]

Blueberries and strawberries was the magical elixir for lowering my BP.

[@thecookingdoc]

Great work Peter. I know those changes can be tough to make. Congrats and thank you for commenting.

[@rd6519]

The Omron blood pressure cuff actually illustrates how the cuff should be placed on the arm; the information it is right on the cuff itself. Following that illustration will give you a proper reading of your blood pressure. I find that virtually no one seems to understand how to use a blood pressure cuff properly, including the docs and nurses, etc. It is distressing! This doctor did not do it properly. 😟

[@sunnyd6019]

I noticed that also.

[@ruthtorphy2204]

I noticed this also.

[@kathyd1010]

I agree!!! How silly to do all this and the cuff isn’t on correctly!

[@evelynmuscat7061]

Met too

[@Memow-pk1ng]

There are lines insidecuff, & u have to line them up, & no wrinkles

[@aznibas]

Thank you for showing the B. pressure taking procedure practically. This will help me and many others I believe.

[@nazrinbegum9039]

Thanks for sharing your video

[@lawrenceweber2010]

My OMRON always reads up to 10 points higher at home than when BP taken in Dr office. They often get concerned as my BP can be less then 100/50 and my pulse in low 40's and so I get questioned about feeling faint etc. , but I feel fine. Guidelines are just that, guidelines. Everyone is different and BP is just one of many factors to consider.

[@splotbang8296]

I find that moving the cuff so that two fingers fit between the elbow joint and the cuff gives me significantly lower readings. Some tutorials recommend two fingers, others like this one state "just above the elbow". Try both and please let me know if you get a similar result than I do.

[@ahmedelattar8259]

Thank you, Doctor

[@j.w.grayson6937]

I just received a BP Monitor from the VA thanks to my agent orange exposure in Vietnam. I appreciate the detailed explanation on how to monitor.

[@bigwheelsturning]

Great video. I follow pretty much everything you did. I too have "white coat syndrome, and it can spike at the doctors office. The nurse is usually in a hurry, and it makes me nervous too. A heart surgeon told me to take two garlic pills a day, one at lunch and dinner. It lowered my BP from 150's down to the 120's. Now at 78 I run from 110 to about 120 on the high end and down to the 70's on the low end. My monitor also keeps track of the average of up to 90 readings.

[@yes350yes]

I too have white coat syndrome and am on BP meds. Recently I started taking a smoothie recipe that concentrates on ED. [also 78 ] Been taking this smoothie for a couple months everyday and I noted my BP readings have changed/lowered since doing this smoothie. I take these reading usually a couple hours after taking the meds,,, the readings are now consistently at 115/65. Before taking the smoothies readings were more in the 125/80 area. So Im wondering what DR will do or say when I see him again. Hopefully at least adjust my meds.

[@user-xc9ou5nz3i]

I have going the dr office because my bp is higher at Dr office, normal at home bp monitor, here is my story. after couple times going dr office the 3rd time check dr order 50 mg medication, I am not saying no , i took the medication 2 weeks, the dr told me in 2 weeks back will check see the medication do , when I go dr office nothing in change again high dr office, the dr think the 50 mg not enough order 100 mg , i took that for 1 week I can’t take it more my bp going down more then the usual , I call made appointment told the dr. I very dizzy, running the bathroom can’t control my pea ( urine) she still check in me with 100 mg medication if change my bp , still higher at dr office, when this all going on I always check my bp 3 times a day & take with me the the 2 week reding without medication was 122/74 sometimes 128/74 I bought brand new bp monitor , the dr finally accepted me , the dr told me I am white coat syndrome . & dr want’s me monitor me at the office when I check home & she order 2.5 mg bp mediation , but I didn’t take it my bp is totally fin . Sometimes dr rush given you medication, since I know my bp at home monitor is fine way I need medication Know I am drinking beets juice I made home or eat row with salad Tray beets,ginger,cucumber , carrot 🥕 blend together add water no sugar if you want sweet you can add pineapple cut blend together & drink 1 or 2 glass it works fantastic for high blood pressure . My bp high only dr office at home is always normal…I don’t need medication Hop u understand my story

[@bigwheelsturning]

@@user-xc9ou5nz3i I've found that garlic pills do the trick for me. Lowered my BP by 20-30 points. I always tell my Doc that I don't need the medications. Like you, I know that they will make me worse off than not taking them.

[@bigwheelsturning]

@@owenblake90 It was down the next day once I got over the trip to town (bad traffic) and got back into my daily routine. It's been in the mid-teens since then. It also helped when I found out that my Cholesterol levels had dropped 22 points. And my LDL 30 points. I took Red Yeast Rice with plant sterolis

[@paulf4133]

@@yes350yes hello, im curious what your smoothie recipe is. my father is around your age now and his BP ranges from 135-145 systolic. ive been tasked with cooking for him everyday now, hoping that healthier food can make a change in his BP but hasnt really budged in the 3 months that ive started cooking for him. would you mind saying whats in the smoothie youve been taking? perhaps it may be something that i can incorporate into my father diet

[@davidblyth5495]

As an engineer I have two dictums: a. "You can only manage what you know!" and b. "To measure is to know!" I suffer from hypertension and am on meds, some which I take in the morning and the rest in the evening of most days. I started measuring my BP just prior to taking my meds in the evening and then again between 1 to 4 hours later. I have records of several years now. They include: minimum, median and maximum for Systolic and Diastolic. Histograms per month show the downward shirt of my BP due to the meds quite well. My physician notice my systolic at over 135 and recommended I take certain meds in the evening and the rest in the morning - eg a change to my routine. A few observations: a. BP increased after surgery but returned to the previous levels. b. After the change in meds recommended by my physician, my average BP reduced significantly to 119/60 from around 140/70 and appears consistent now. I do follow the recommendations you made eg calm and at home.

[@thecookingdoc]

You are doing great work David. I am glad to hear of all your progress and that you are finding consistency. 😀

[@cutfish9000]

Thanks doc❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️useful informations

[@MrMockingbird1313]

Hey Doc, Thanks for the coaching. I bought the Omron top of the line meter three weeks back. Apparently, I can use some improvement in my techniques.

[@IMBlakeley]

Thanks. I got my BP under control a few years back losing weight and exercising regularly but in the last year or so I've had to add medication to the mix now I am in my sixties, still good weight and daily exercise. I've noticed over time that the lowest readings are after I've worked out, come back, showered and relaxed for a bit.

[@thecookingdoc]

It is amazing the difference in readings when we are relaxed. Great job getting your bp under control IMBlakeley!

[@alanpecherer5705]

This is an important video, as to the accuracy of any home meter. I had a BP meter "left over" from my late mother, and I started using it. It read a little high, but not alarming. I went for a dental appointment one day and they came up numbers like 190/128 and they would not proceed bec that reading was too high, indeed, alarming, thermonuclear, you should go to the emerg room right now. I made a Dr. appointment to check BP issues. For the next few doc appointments, I took my home meter and compared reading with those at the doc's office. My home meter was crazy high, upper number would read about 40 points high. I don't have much choice but to throw it out.

[@steveholloway1963]

They are calibrated this way to sell more pills

[@arveethebuilder724]

clearly explained. thousand likes.salute!

[@johnleftwich650]

Great info. I’ve been doing some things incorrectly.

[@BestNana]

Can you possibly do another video that shows the accurate placement of the arm cuff, especially where the tube enters the cuff and how it should place on your arm? That seems to make quite a bit of difference. Thank you and I appreciate your videos.

[@jeta1f35]

I would also appreciate that information. I have heard different opinions on the position of the cuff and tube, I would really appreciate your opinion. Many thanks.

[@williamwilson6499]

Go to 2:41

[@josephbrosk4384]

Yours is a great question! The instructions for my electronic BP machine says the tube should be in line with the pinky finger. I have no idea if that makes a difference, or if it is just for consistency, so I'm taking my BP the same way every time.

[@farside51]

I also use the same bp machine. It has an arrow on the cuff so when I put it on it’s pointing the the bend of my arm and about 1 inch above the bend. I take it doing the same set up as you and calmly look out my patio doors watching the active bird feeder in the yard. I get great readings. I also switched taking my bp med from am to late afternoon , suggested by my cardiologist,and it worked great.

[@Ulbre]

The main thing is that it is at the same level as your heart. If using wrist/forearm BP monitors, make sure you elevate it to the same level as your heart.

[@comlbbeau]

As others have mentioned, I, too, encounter "white coat syndrome" when at the doctor's office and generally exhibit higher than normal initial readings. I take my blood pressure at home occasionally, and I take a picture with my phone of the blood pressure and pulse screens, and the properties associated with the photos show the date and time they were taken. The doctor doesn't have to rely merely on my word that I don't have high blood pressure.

[@TheRealWindlePoons]

I'm in the UK. My BP is so high when I visit my health centre that they didn't believe my home readings. I had to take my BP monitor in to prove it measured the same as theirs. I do 5 minutes mindfulness meditation before I take a home reading.

[@souksmith4492]

Thank you so much Dr.

[@ramdeoramdeo6669]

Thank for your advice

[@acb2439]

Thanks Doctor. Friends thought I was nuts for trusting my own readings over the reading from my Doctors office and taking supplements instead of medication to keep my blood pressure normal. I'll be sharing this video for sure.

[@thecookingdoc]

Thanks so much A C B. Those readings in a doctors office can often be very different than doing it at home when you are relaxed.

[@jaycuza5826]

Which supplements?

[@acb2439]

@@jaycuza5826 Number one supplement I use is "Zazzee" Beet Root Extract capsules. L-Citrulline capsules (same brand). Dr. berg's D3 w/K2 capsules. Weaned myself off Meds. Monitor you BP with an Arm Cuff BP Monitor (Omron). I'm not a Doctor. Just telling you what I did. Loads of info here on KZbin. Watch a video from "Adam J. Story DC" about 3 BP lowering drinks. Take care.

[@jerryfarmer5989]

My BP has always been around 120/70. A few months ago it was 146/82. I been checking it every evening since and no 2 days are the same. All below the 140 but from like 62 to 73 or so. NO life changes of any kind and nothing stressful other than work.

[@georgen9755]

130/85

[@muhammadkhalidhasan6291]

Brother what is your blood pressure I want to know it because i am a 22 year old guy and from last 2 months i have been noticing that my bp have around 130 -135 and 78 to 85

[@andralynsimmons3789]

This was absolutely wonderful 😊.

[@thecookingdoc]

Thank you so much for these kind words.

[@gladiator22666]

Great video Doc , as soon as you hit the button on your monitor I felt the white coat syndrome kick in ! The monitor was on your arm lol . I thought it would be something I would grow out of but still stuck with it at 57 years old .

[@craigmelissa12]

Thanks so much for helping us. I am new to measuring BP and you really explained it so well and also was reassuring if your numbers are high. All the best.

[@jamesgough1887]

Good video. It ticks all the boxes. I was on meds for blood pressure for 25 years until I did a little research and found that losing weight combined with reducing my salt intake allowed me to go off medication. I also learned to take my own blood pressure, which is definitely the best way to do it. It is quite surprising what sitting still and breathing regularly for a minute can do to the reading.

[@thecookingdoc]

Thank you so much James and proud of all your hard work and reducing your salt intake!

[@NapkinEdStern]

Salt doesn't raise your blood pressure, as most people believe. It's sugar which raises it. Salt is an essential nutrient to survive. Sugar is the poison that causes high blood pressure and other ailments.

[@NapkinEdStern]

@@thecookingdoc Doc, salt has nothing to do with BP. Try it for yourself for about a week. Eat as much salt as you want and I guarantee it won''t affect your BP. Then try the same experiment with sugar and I guarantee you that it will raise your BP.

[@xbrizzcakez]

it took 25 years to do a little research?

[@YouLoveMrFriendly]

@@xbrizzcakez Doing "research" back then wasn't as easy as it is now. The web was very basic and limited.

[@7style0]

Thank you, for sharing this information and giving your time to care about others. May many blessings always come your way.

[@alexdinero8284]

Taking a secnd reading after you rested. going to try it. thanks

[@Ulbre]

I bought a cheap Chinese wrist BP monitor 3 years ago (about 10 bucks online). I was a little sceptical as to it's accuracy so I took it to the local hospital where they have a free BP test (the one you put your whole arm in) and then a minute later I checked using mine. The results were almost identical. in the three years since I have done this again maybe 4 or 5 times and the results are still almost identical. I will say that for both the hospital test and my own (when used at the hospital a minute after the hospital test), my BP was a little higher than when I tested at home....but you covered the reasons why this occurs early in your video.

[@donniet685]

Though that could indicate that the arm meter is not that accurate either. I heard the most accurate way to do it is by checking it manually - also using a stethoscope.

[@thecookingdoc]

Sounds like you got a good deal on a BP monitor. I have found that wrist monitors are not as accurate, but yours seems to do a great job. Thanks so much for watching and commenting.

[@donniet685]

@@markrothschild3659 Maybe you could try actually reading and researching instead of being an ignorant dork.

[@nickdadon]

I was a few times made to wear one of those 24 hours test, that the doctors, give you! It goes off every 30 mins, and once an hour over night, ! This test causes you to be stressed out the entire time, waiting for it to go of, so much the readings are always high... Once I bought my own machine, I found it easier to get accurate readings.... Usually before a yearly physical I take 3 readings a day , at the same time for 10 days, and print it out for my doctor....

[@user-wh3vg4eg6h]

I used one of those 24 hour monitors and found it very relaxing, it beeps just before it inflates and sleeping with it on was not a problem

[@arnief2034]

Thank you Doc! Thank you for an great explanation.

[@thecookingdoc]

Appreciate that Arnie!

[@burndinaeck3490]

Thanks Doc valuable information and calmness to my well-being continue the good work

[@Marshadow69]

The second reading is often higher with me - because I am becoming more invested in the result

[@thecookingdoc]

I get it Paul. You see that is how it worked for me as well in the video.

[@brandue4523]

Thanks for the honesty Doc.

[@CandyGirl44]

My blood pressure is all over the show - from being consistently low most of my life, it's going into the upper regions due to stress. It was 168 over 88, my hubby gave me one of his BP pills, the next morning it was 100 over 55. I'm looking into natural ways to lower BP now.

[@YouLoveMrFriendly]

Get to the doctor and get a real program in place, with your own medicine.

[@boxer6796]

I am not a DR, but should never take anything that a Dr did not prescribe for you.

[@anzelac5808]

100/55 is low my meds do that and im lightheaded 🤪

[@johnjohnohanasian2544]

Thank you so much for this. I have a problem with being anxious. And if I don't like my readings, I'll take them literally dozens of times a day. Today was particularly rough. My readings were in the 150s, and diastolic low hundreds 1 of them was 112.

[@Chesterdkat377]

Doc, thank you so much for this video. You’ve given me answers to questions I’ve had for some time. And thank you for the relief from your wisdom.

[@thecookingdoc]

Thank you so much Spinningprop for watching and commenting. You made my day!

[@carlam329]

The tube is supposed to be on the inside of the elbow.

[@fireside007]

Nice Ty!! . . . YOU ~ ROCK ! ! 🤛

[@erdalmickeyilkturk]

I think, the first job of any doctor is to relax the patients and tell them how they should perform certain tasks in detail. Thank you for doing that 😀

[@casarabbit8696]

Hey Doc, thank you for this informative content. I have a question, does it matter if I use my left arm or right arm when checking my BP? They both give different numbers.

[@thecookingdoc]

It's best to take your blood pressure from your left arm if you are right-handed Casa.

[@hellofromrob]

@@thecookingdoc I’m a lefty but normally test my left arm. Should I switch? Also, I smiled at the direction to take our BP free from all the typical daily noises and stressors to provide a reading that is most correct. How many of us actually experience that type of serene environment routinely in our day? Hmmm…maybe THAT is what our Physicians should be prescribing!, 👍🏻😎

[@MrJimmy-ox7fq]

Great video. Very informative and right on target. Fortunately for me, my doctor understands that I'm all "worked up" at my office visits, in regard to my BP. Years ago, at my first visit, I bought my Omron with me and got the same readings on it as the Nurse did on their "doc on a stick". I have normal BP AFTER the office visit is over and at home. Amazing that my brain can trigger such a spike in BP just thinking about going to the Dr. You did a good job on this video. Keep up the good work and stay off of 123, 85, and 385 and your BP should be okay. Stay safe!

[@eugenetswong]

Thank you, doctor!

[@paulinelewis5046]

Thank you Doc

[@paradiseview]

My blood pressure is normal. I watched a video by a doctor who mentioned that drinking lemon juice and eating cheddar cheese before or during a meal can help lower blood pressure. Surprisingly, after trying this, my blood pressure dropped from a range of 128 to 138/88 to 98/70. It was unbelievable! I am following a keto diet, so I added dates, butter, and coffee to my meals after seeing this improvement. I also started to have pizza occasionally.

[@thecookingdoc]

Great job Paradise View. You have made some great changes. I definitely understand sneaking pizza in occasionally.

[@olusolaoyadina5187]

Really? I have drank lemon/ lime water every morning for more than 24 years, lemon is my own sweetener, just make my water better which is the only drink I take; ACV I introduced about 8 years ago and I add that to my water sometime during the day. My BP has never exceeded 118/75 and about 9 points below at all times. I have always checked my BP since '96 just because of family history. I wonder if my citrus intake has a lot to do with my readings.

[@alistairshanks5099]

I was told the tube of the machine has to be in line with the inside of your arm just above the inside of your elbow.?

[@geniej9093]

Appreciate this help

[@marypetrie930]

Excellent advice.

[@LoboBlack187]

In Europe and Japan anything above 140/90 is considered high blood, 120/80 is not.

[@MultiKtm300]

Well, how do they sell blood pressure medicine?

[@maplenook]

Pharma wants us all medicated, F them