I was recently diagnosed with hypertension and told to monitor my blood pressure on a routine basis so I bought a digital blood pressure monitor. But I can’t find the instructions, can you tell me how to use? Before you use your digital blood pressure monitor, the FDA recommends the following guidelines: · Read the labeling to familiarize yourself with its operation. · Have the device calibrated/validated according to the manufacturer's instructions. Below are general instructions to follow:

1. Sit in a comfortable position, with your legs and ankles uncrossed and your back supported.
2. Place your arm, raised to the level of your heart, on a table or a desk, and sit still.
3. Wrap the cuff around your upper arm.
4. Turn the power on, and start the machine.
5. If you have an automatic model, the cuff will inflate by itself with a push of a button.
6. On other models, inflate the cuff by squeezing the rubber bulb.
7. When the cuff is finished inflating, the cuff pressure will slowly reduce.
8. Ensure the cuff fits snugly. There should be just enough room for a fingertip to slip under the cuff. If the cuff doesn’t fit properly, the digital blood pressure monitor can underestimate the pressure. Inappropriately low blood pressure, or clinical shock, is a medical emergency. Inappropriately high blood pressure indicates hypertension.
9. Be certain that the bottom edge of the cuff is 1 inch above the crease of your elbow.
10. Look at the display screen to see your blood pressure results.
11. The machine will show your systolic and diastolic blood pressures.
12. Write down your results, putting the systolic pressure before the diastolic pressure.
13. Press the button to deflate the cuff.
14. Wait 2 to 3 minutes before re-testing.

Hope that helps.