, resting on a desk); the patient should not be holding his/her arm because isometric exercise will affect the blood pressure levels Position the middle of the cuff on the patient s upper arm at the level of the right atrium (midpoint of the sternum) Use the correct cuff size such that the bladder encircles 75%-100% of the arm Table G-1. Proper Blood Pressure Cuff Sizes Cuff Size Arm Circumference (cm) Bladder Dimension (width x length, cm) Abbreviation: cm: centimeter Take the proper measurements needed for diagnosis and treatment of elevated blood pressure/hypertension At the first visit, record blood pressure in both arms; use the arm that gives the higher reading for subsequent readings (if consistently 10-15 mm Hg higher) Separate repeated measurements by at least 30 seconds Properly document accurate blood pressure readings Record SBP and DBP Note the time that the most recent blood pressure medication was taken before measurements Use average the readings Use an average of 2 readings for the visit blood pressure For initial documentation of the patient s blood pressure, use an average of the visit blood pressures obtained on 2 occasions to estimate the individual s blood pressure Provide blood pressure readings to patient Provide patients their SBP/DBP readings both verbally and in writing; someone should help the patient interpret the results What is above should be common to each appropriate standardized office blood pressure measurement technique. 