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In an era where health monitoring has gone digital, even a simple act like checking blood pressure is often done incorrectly. US-based cardiologist and heart transplant surgeon Dr Dmitry Yaranov, known to his over 400k Instagram followers as @heart_transplant_doc, recently took to social media to highlight how small errors in measuring blood pressure can lead to big health scares.
He listed common missteps such as sitting with crossed legs, talking during measurement, wearing the cuff over clothing, or using the wrong-sized cuff. “Then they panic when the numbers are ‘high,’” he added.
He also recommended:
Dr Dmitry Yaranov serves as the Medical Director for Advanced Heart Failure, Heart Transplant, and Mechanical Circulatory Support at Baptist Memorial Health Care in the United States. He reminded followers that accurate readings are the first step in preventing cardiovascular emergencies. His closing line summed it up succinctly — “Don’t guess. Don’t Google. Don’t gamble. Know your numbers — and measure them right.”
‘You’re Just Watching Numbers Change’
In his viral Instagram post, Dr Yaranov confessed that many patients rush to the emergency room in panic after misreading their blood pressure. “I have seen patients rush to the ER because of this one mistake,” he wrote. He went on to say, “You’re not checking your blood pressure — you’re just watching numbers change. I say this with love — but most people do it wrong.”He listed common missteps such as sitting with crossed legs, talking during measurement, wearing the cuff over clothing, or using the wrong-sized cuff. “Then they panic when the numbers are ‘high,’” he added.
The Right Way to Measure Your Blood Pressure
Dr Yaranov’s guide to accurate measurement was both practical and urgent. He advised people to sit comfortably in a chair with their back supported and feet flat on the floor, resting for at least five minutes before taking a reading.He also recommended:
- Keeping the arm at heart level, supported on a table
- Avoiding talking or texting during measurement
- Using the correct cuff size
- Taking two to three readings, one minute apart
- Recording the results manually or through the device’s memory
‘That’s Not Your Pressure'
In a bonus tip, the cardiologist cautioned against checking blood pressure immediately after a workout, an argument, or even a cup of espresso. “That’s not ‘your pressure’ — that’s adrenaline,” he emphasized, underscoring how temporary spikes can cause unnecessary anxiety.Dr Dmitry Yaranov serves as the Medical Director for Advanced Heart Failure, Heart Transplant, and Mechanical Circulatory Support at Baptist Memorial Health Care in the United States. He reminded followers that accurate readings are the first step in preventing cardiovascular emergencies. His closing line summed it up succinctly — “Don’t guess. Don’t Google. Don’t gamble. Know your numbers — and measure them right.”
