This article is for general awareness and is not medical advice or a substitute for evaluation by a qualified doctor. In an emergency in Saudi Arabia, call 997 immediately.
Before measuring
- Use a validated upper-arm monitor with a cuff size that fits your arm.
- Avoid coffee, smoking and exercise for half an hour before, and empty your bladder.
- Sit comfortably for five minutes with your back supported and feet flat on the floor, legs uncrossed.
While measuring
- Rest your arm on a table at heart level, with the cuff on bare skin, not over clothing.
- Don't talk during the reading.
- Take two or three readings a minute apart and write them all down.
- Repeat morning and evening for several days before your appointment, or as your doctor asks.
How to read the numbers
The top number is systolic pressure and the bottom is diastolic. Home readings that are consistently 135/85 or higher usually deserve a review. Your doctor makes the diagnosis and sets your target, especially if you have diabetes or kidney disease.
If a reading is 180/120 or higher with chest pain, shortness of breath, weakness or numbness on one side, difficulty speaking, blurred vision or a sudden severe headache, call 997 immediately. If it is high without symptoms, measure again after a few minutes and contact your doctor.
General tips
- Don't stop blood pressure medicines yourself, even if your readings improve.
- Reduce salt and keep up physical activity and enough sleep.
- Bring your log of readings to the appointment. Read how to prepare for your doctor's appointment.
Where does HealTrip fit in?
HealTrip is working to make it easy to log your readings and share them with your doctor in an organised way, so decisions are based on a clear picture.
Be among the first to join HealTrip
HealTrip is a Saudi health platform in pre-launch. Register your interest as a patient, doctor, or healthcare facility, and we'll contact you at launch.
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