Blood pressure at home: do it right (and what the numbers mean)
Topic: Heart & Metabolic Health
Reading time: 2 min
Home blood pressure monitoring can help you and your clinician make better decisions. The key is doing it in a consistent, low-stress way.
Before you measure
- No caffeine, exercise, or smoking for 30 minutes beforehand.
- Use the bathroom first.
- Sit quietly for 5 minutes.
During the reading
- Back supported, feet flat, legs uncrossed.
- Arm supported at heart level.
- Use the right cuff size (this matters).
- Don’t talk while it’s measuring.
A simple schedule
- Take 2 readings in the morning and 2 in the evening for 3–7 days.
- Write down the readings (or use the monitor’s memory).
Bring your data: A handful of home readings (with dates/times) is often more helpful than one number at a visit.
What to discuss with your clinician
- Your typical range and any symptoms (dizziness, headaches).
- Whether certain meds should be adjusted.
- How salt, alcohol, sleep, and stress may be affecting you.
When to seek urgent care
Blood pressure numbers alone don’t tell the whole story. But if you have very high readings with chest pain, shortness of breath, weakness, confusion, or vision changes, seek urgent medical help.
Ask your clinician (starter questions)
- “What’s the most likely explanation in my case?”
- “What serious causes are we ruling out?”
- “Could any medications or supplements contribute?”
- “What’s the simplest next step?”
- “What should make me call you sooner or seek urgent care?”
If you want to prepare for a visit, try the Doctor Visit Checklist. For general support, browse Topics.