Taking your Blood Pressure   July 2025 Many people take their blood pressure on a regular basis, however not everyone always takes it in the correct manner. Lets review some common factors that can cause inaccurate readings and then go over proper techniques for taking your blood pressure at home. Factors that Contribute to Incorrect Readings Your blood pressure is influenced by a wide variety of factors, not all of which are under your control. However maintaining a general understanding of what can cause inaccurate readings, can help you feel more confident in the numbers you are seeing. Below are some common circumstances that can cause your readings to be incorrect: - Crossing your legs at the knee or ankle - Talking while taking a measurement - Recent caffeine consumption - Smoking - Dehydration - Recent strenuous activity - Foods high in sodium   Properly Taking your Blood Pressure Your blood pressure is going to be the most accurate when you take it in a calm and relaxed setting. Prior to taking a reading, there are a few things to remember: - Make sure there is nothing restricting your arm, such as tight jewelry or rolled sleeves - Position the cuff about an inch above your elbow. To ensure your cuff is not too tight, you should be able to fit 1 finger between your cuff and your arm - Support your arm by resting it palm up on a table or desk, close to heart level - Ensure your feet are flat on the floor - Take 3-5 minutes to do some deep breathing and relax - Take your reading, try not to talk or move - If you are unsure if your reading is correct, leave your cuff on and repeat the above steps.  Oftentimes a second reading will produce a more accurate reading as many patients do not give themselves adequate time to relax after sitting down to check their blood pressure. Summer Travel Tips and Tricks If you have travel plans coming up, there are a few things you can do before hand to ensure you are still maintaining control of your health. - Talk with your Care Coordinator, especially if you plan to be gone for more than a few days. She can help you be prepared for some common complaints that happen during travel  - Take your devices with you! They will work anywhere that there is cell phone signal. If there is no signal, your devices will store your readings and transmit all of them once you are back in range of cell phone service - Pack at least an extra week's worth of medications - Take your entire bottle of rescue medications (clonidine, diuretics, etc.) - Allow enough time to request any necessary medication refills prior to traveling Additional Resources Websites, Articles, and/or Videos Take your Blood Pressure Video Mayo Clinic Cleveland Clinic  Blog Posts Taking your Blood Pressure The 5 W's of Blood Pressure Factors that Affect Blood Pressure Community Events 4th of July Fireworks Tunes & Blooms Jax Beach Arts Market Still Have Questions? We love to empower through education. Click on the button below to visit our website to get answers to some common questions, previous education topics, as well as other helpful resources. Learn More Patient Care Coordinator Stacie is a dedicated team member who will work side by side with you to help manage your care via our RPM program. Contacting your Team Phone: (904) 260-9898 Fax: (904) 260-9891 Email: [email protected] Address: 13241 Bartram Park Blvd Suite 1001 Jacksonville, FL 32258 www.jaxnephrology.com Designed with Beefree