How to use a home blood pressure monitor
- Stay still.Discuss how to use a home blood pressure monitor with your health care professional. Do not smoke, drink caffeinated beverages, or exercise within 30 minutes before measuring your blood pressure. Empty your bladder and ensure at least 5 minutes of quiet rest before taking measurements.
- Please sit properly.
Sit supported with your back straight (sit on a dining chair, not on the couch). Place your feet flat on the floor and do not cross your legs. Your arms should be supported on a flat surface, such as a table, so that your upper arms are at heart level. Make sure the bottom of the cuff is directly above the bend of your elbow. Check your monitor’s instructions or ask your health care professional for instructions. - Please measure at the same time every day.It is important to take measurements at the same time each day, such as in the morning and evening. Measurements are best taken daily, ideally starting between his 2 weeks after the treatment change and his 1 week before his next visit.
- Take multiple measurements and record results. For each measurement, take two measurements 1 minute apart and record your results using a printable (PDF) tracker. If your monitor has built-in memory for storing readings, bring it with you to your appointment. Some monitors allow you to register your profile and then upload your measurements to a secure website.
- Do not measure over clothing.
Download a PDF sheet that shows you how to properly measure your blood pressure. Also available in Spanish and Chinese.
know your numbers
Learn what the numbers on your blood pressure reading mean.
| blood pressure category | SYSTOLIC mmHg (upper value) | and/or | Diastolic mmHg (small number) |
|---|---|---|---|
| usually | less than 120 | and | less than 80 |
| heightened | 120 – 129 | and | less than 80 |
| Hypertension (hypertension) stage 1 | 130 – 139 | or | 80-89 |
| Hypertension (hypertension) stage 2 | 140 or more | or | 90 and above |
| Hypertension crisis (consult your doctor immediately) | 180 or more | and/or | 120 or more |
Note: High blood pressure must be diagnosed by a doctor. Your health care professional should also evaluate any abnormally low blood pressure readings.
Download this chart: English Jpeg | English PDF | Spanish JPEG | Spanish PDF | Traditional Chinese JPEG | Traditional Chinese (PDF)
When you get your high blood pressure measurement results
- Seek immediate medical attention if your blood pressure is higher than 180/120 mm Hg and you experience signs of possible organ damage, such as chest pain, shortness of breath, back pain, numbness or weakness, vision changes, or difficulty speaking. please. The pressure will naturally go down. This is an emergency. Please call 911.
- A single high reading does not immediately cause an alarm. If your reading is slightly or moderately higher than normal, take your blood pressure again and write down the results of the two measurements. Consult your health care professional to determine if you have a health problem or if there is a problem with your monitor.
- If your blood pressure reading suddenly exceeds 180/120 mm Hg, wait 5 minutes and test again. If your readings are still abnormally high, contact your health care professional immediately. You may be experiencing a hypertensive crisis.
AHA recommendation
The American Heart Association recommends home monitoring for all people with high blood pressure so health care professionals can determine whether treatment is working. Home blood pressure monitoring or self-measurement is not a substitute for regular doctor visits. If you are prescribed medication to lower blood pressure, do not stop taking the medication without consulting your health care professional, even if your home blood pressure reading is within the normal range.
How to choose a home blood pressure monitor
The American Heart Association recommends an automatic cuff-style biceps (brachial) monitor.
- Wrist or finger monitors are not recommended as they provide unreliable readings.
- Please select a verified monitor. If you’re unsure, ask your health care professional or pharmacist for advice, or find your options at validatebp.org.(link opens in new window).
- When choosing a blood pressure monitor for the elderly, pregnant women, and children, make sure it is validated for these conditions.
- Make sure the cuff fits. Measure your upper arm circumference and choose a monitor that comes with the correct cuff size.
Once you purchase your monitor, please bring it with you to your next appointment.
Ask your health care professional to confirm that you are using it correctly and that you are getting the same results as the office equipment. Plan to bring in her monitor once a year to make sure the readings are accurate.
Home blood pressure monitoring is especially helpful if:
- A person diagnosed with high blood pressure, also known as hypertension.
- A person who initiates treatment for high blood pressure and determines its effectiveness.
- People who require closer monitoring, especially those with risk factors for high blood pressure and/or conditions related to high blood pressure.
- Pregnant women experiencing gestational hypertension and/or preeclampsia.
- Evaluate potentially erroneous readings, such as:
- People whose readings are high only in a health care professional’s office (“white coat” hypertension).
- People who have high blood pressure readings at home but not in a health care professional’s office (“masked hypertension”).
- Note: People with atrial fibrillation or other heart arrhythmias may not be suitable for home monitoring as home electronic blood pressure devices may not provide accurate measurements. Talk to your health care professional to recommend a monitoring method that is right for you.
blood pressure in left and right arm
Several studies have been conducted to determine what is the normal variation between right and left arms. Generally, a difference of 10 mm Hg or less is considered normal and no cause for concern.
Why keep a blood pressure diary?
A single blood pressure measurement is like a snapshot. It only shows the blood pressure at that moment. Recording readings over time provides a “time-lapse” picture of blood pressure and can help you work with your doctor to ensure that treatments to lower high blood pressure are working.
