Walking, climbing stairs, talking, or feeling rushed can temporarily affect heart rate and blood pressure. A short quiet rest creates a more comparable starting point.
What quiet rest looks like
Sit in a chair with back support. Place both feet flat on the floor, uncross your legs, and rest your arm on a table so the cuff is near heart level. Avoid conversation, texting, and television during the rest and measurement. Put the cuff on bare skin.
If the first result surprises you
Stay seated and take a second reading after about one minute. A series collected under similar conditions is usually more useful than one isolated number.
If a reading is unusually high or low, follow the plan your healthcare professional has given you. Seek urgent help for severe symptoms or when advised by local emergency guidance.
Related: iHealth Track upper-arm blood pressure monitor.
Educational information only; it does not replace medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.