You don't have to go to a healthcare provider's office whenever you want to check your blood pressure. Instead, you can check your blood pressure at home. In fact, an at-home reading might be more accurate than a reading in a healthcare provider's office.
Checking your blood pressure regularly at home is a helpful and convenient way to monitor your health when you have hypertension (high blood pressure). The numbers you track can help your healthcare team make treatment decisions for you.
Avoid Things That Cause Blood Pressure to Rise Temporarily
The American Heart Association recommends that you not smoke, drink beverages with caffeine, or exercise for 30 minutes before you take your blood pressure reading, as these activities can increase your blood pressure and lead to an inaccurate reading.
Before taking your blood pressure at home, avoid other factors that can cause your blood pressure to rise, such as:
- Alcohol
- Certain medications, such as Tylenol (acetaminophen), nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen (Advil) or naproxen (Aleve), steroids, some antidepressants, birth control
- Having a full bladder
- Recreational drugs (particularly stimulants, such as cocaine)
- Stress
Prepare Before Measuring
Before you take your blood pressure at home, make sure to follow these steps:
- Use the bathroom: A full bladder can put extra pressure on the kidneys and raise blood pressure.
- Wear loose-fitting clothing: You should take your blood pressure over bare skin, not with the cuff over clothing. Wearing loose-fitting clothing can make it easier to adjust your clothing and take your blood pressure.
- Rest quietly: Relax for about five minutes before taking your blood pressure; try not to use your phone or talk with others.
- Sit up straight: Sit in a chair that provides back support and place your feet flat on the floor.
- Ensure proper arm placement: Place your arm on a flat surface at about heart level so it's supported.
How to Use a Home Monitor
Many people use a digital home blood pressure monitor to assess their blood pressure. Here are the steps to follow to get an accurate reading:
- Turn on the monitor.
- Place the cuff around your arm.
- If the cuff does not inflate by pushing a button, squeeze the rubber bulb quickly to inflate it.
- Once the cuff inflates, it should slowly start to let out air.
- Your blood pressure reading is displayed on the screen in millimeters of mercury (mmHg), often as a fraction (e.g., 120/80).
- Push the exhaust button to release any air left in the cuff.
- Repeat as needed, waiting two to three minutes between readings.
A Word From Verywell
To ensure accuracy, I recommend measuring your blood pressure with an upper arm or wrist cuff at the same time every morning before starting your daily routine.
— CHRISTOPHER LEE, MD
What Do the Results Mean?
Your blood pressure reading includes your systolic and diastolic pressure. Systolic pressure is the top number and represents the amount of pressure on your arteries when blood pumps through them, while diastolic pressure—the bottom number—is the pressure on your arteries between heartbeats.
A healthy blood pressure is less than 120/80 mm Hg, often read as "120 over 80." However, follow any blood pressure guidelines from your healthcare provider.
When to Check
The time of day you check your blood pressure doesn't matter as much as taking it at consistent times each day. For example, if you usually check your blood pressure at 7:00 a.m. after you empty your bladder but before breakfast, you should stick with that time going forward.
It is important to take your blood pressure at a consistent time, because blood pressure can vary by 30% throughout the day. Taking it at the same time daily will help with accuracy.
You should check your blood pressure with the frequency your healthcare provider recommends. If you have to check your blood pressure more than once daily, you also should aim for consistent times throughout the day, such as once in the morning and once in the evening.
Keep a Log of Your Readings
Keep track of your blood pressure readings and share the numbers with your healthcare team. Note any patterns of higher or lower readings. Sharing your results with a provider can help them identify potential issues.
Your blood pressure monitor may automatically track your numbers. If that's the case, bring your monitor to any health appointments to compare your home results to the doctor's office results. Your provider may be able to calibrate your home monitor against a professional machine.
Certain apps allow you to track your blood pressure readings. The American Heart Association and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) offer printable logs if you prefer to track using pen and paper.
Some health systems have websites where you can upload your daily blood pressure readings to share with your healthcare provider.
Other Measuring Tips
Additional tips to ensure accurate measurements include the following:
- Don't change or stop taking your blood pressure medication without an OK from your healthcare provider—even if your readings become lower than previously.
- Avoid using your phone in the couple of minutes before your reading. You want to be completely relaxed.
- Aim to take at least two readings every time you measure your blood pressure, waiting a few minutes between each reading.
- Don't worry about small changes in your readings. Minor fluctuations are normal. However, notify your healthcare provider if your readings are outside your norm for a week or more.
- Ask your healthcare provider to check your monitor yearly to ensure it's taking accurate readings.
- Wear ablood pressure cuff that fits you properly. If you're unsure what size you need, ask a healthcare provider.
- Continue to follow healthy living measures, such as eating a low-sodium diet, maintaining a healthy weight, getting physical activity, and using any medications as recommended.
When to Contact a Healthcare Provider
If your blood pressure has been consistently higher than normal for a week or more, let your healthcare provider know. They may want to see the numbers or set an appointment to examine you further.
Call 911 or go to the emergency department if you have high blood pressure alongside one or more of the following symptoms:
- Back pain
- Chest pain
- Headache
- Mental status changes
- Numbness
- Shortness of breath
- Vision changes
- Weakness
Summary
Blood pressure home monitoring can help you keep track of your blood pressure regularly. Have a set time of day when you check your blood pressure. For most people, that's in the morning before starting the day.
Relax for a few minutes before taking your blood pressure, and follow any instructions provided by your monitor to ensure proper use. Track your readings using an electronic or paper log. Notify your healthcare provider if you have any changes to your blood pressure reading for more than a week. Call 911 if you have high blood pressure along with chest pain or shortness of breath.
11 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
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By Vanessa Caceres
Caceres is a Florida-based health journalist with 15 years of experience. She holds a bachelor's degree in journalism and psychology and a master's degree in linguistics.
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