Blood pressure measurement The blood pressure used for formal diagnosis should be an average of 2 or 3 measurements taken at 2 or 3 different times with the patient: Seated in a chair (not examination table) for > 5 minutes, feet on floor, back supported With their limb supported at heart level with no clothing covering the area of cuff placement Having had no exercise, caffeine, or smoking for at least 30 minutes At the first visit, measure BP in both arms and subsequent measurements should use the arm that gave the higher reading.