body position while taking bp reading at home

[jondon]

I am wondering if anybody would have any information about the position of your body when taking your blood pressure reading at home with a wrist monitor. The instructions say to sit with back straight and hold your arm at heart level. I lay down and hold my arm at heart level. I mean, they take your pressure laying down at the hospital, so why wouldn't it be ok at home? Why would the position of your body / laying vs. sitting / affect the results? Thanks very much!

[kfuchsel]

Sit straight with your arm below heart level, like resting on an arm rest of the couch or in your lap. Lying down will give you a much lower and inaccurate reading.