Have been using an upper arm BP monitor at home for a long time. Yes, they are uncomfortable when working, and do cause feeling of pins and needles - but it is for such a short time, and they do give far more accurate readings than the wrist ones.
It is important to remember that BP should not be taken immediately after eating or drinking - allow at least 30 minutes after that. Sit still and position arm as close as possible to be level with heart whilst taking the reading. I usually find arm on cushion on the arm of my chair is a good position. Try to be as relaxed as possible and do not talk, etc whilst taking reading.
Readings will change very quickly often second reading taken minutes after first one will see low bp -also readings should be taken on both arms at times.
Readings at home are usually so much better, as many of us - even if we do not realise it - suffer from some sort of 'white coat syndrome', which means that whenever a health care professional takes our BP - it shoots up.
Stress does see an increase, quite dramatic at times. When I went for my first cataract operation, I thought I was coping well, until the nurse took my BP - which was so alarmingly high I thought they would cancel the op. Fortunately, I had a very experienced nurse and he just told me to sit and relax for 20 minutes and he took it again, and although, still high, had fallen enough for him to send me through to the doctors.
