Some home blood pressure measuring instruments, particularly ones that are less expensive, require the patient to manually inflate the cuff.

When the cuff is manually inflated, the muscular activity used to inflate the cuff can acutely raise the BP by as much as 12/9 mmHg, an effect that dissipates within 5 to 20 seconds.

eMedinews Tip

Inflate the cuff to 30 mmHg above systolic pressure

Allow the sphygmomanometer to fall 2 to 3 mmHg per heartbeat

This gives you accurate measurement and makes exertional effect disappear.