How to Sit for an Accurate Home Blood Pressure Reading
Use the right chair, arm position and cuff height to get comparable blood pressure readings at home.
Set up your chair, arm and cuff
Sit with your back supported, your feet flat, and your legs uncrossed. Wrap the cuff around your bare upper arm and rest your arm on a table so the middle of the cuff is at heart level. Keep quiet before and during the measurement. (American Heart Association home monitoring guide)
Before you press Start
The American Heart Association recommends at least five minutes of quiet rest and avoiding smoking, caffeine, and exercise in the 30 minutes beforehand. Follow any specific schedule or instructions from your clinician. (American Heart Association home monitoring guide)
Japanese guidance specifies one to two minutes of seated rest in a quiet room at a comfortable temperature. (Review of the Japanese 2025 hypertension guideline)
Why arm position matters
In a randomized crossover trial, readings were higher when the arm rested on the lap or hung by the side than when it was supported on a desk at heart level. (ARMS randomized crossover trial)
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Frequently asked questions
Can I cross my legs when measuring?
Keep both feet flat and your legs uncrossed to follow the recommended position. (American Heart Association home monitoring guide)
Can I measure right after coffee?
The American Heart Association advises avoiding caffeine for at least 30 minutes beforehand. (American Heart Association home monitoring guide)