Home readings help your clinician see what your blood pressure does in everyday life, not just in the office. But the way you measure matters: a full bladder, crossed legs, talking or an arm hanging down can each push a reading higher. Here is a simple routine that follows widely used guidance for home measurement.
Before you measure
- Don't smoke, exercise, or have caffeine for 30 minutes before.
- Empty your bladder.
- Use a validated upper-arm cuff in the right size for your arm. You can check models at validatebp.org.
Step by step
- Sit in a chair with your back supported and feet flat on the floor. Don't cross your legs.
- Rest quietly for 5 minutes.
- Put the cuff on bare skin, not over a sleeve.
- Rest your arm on a table so the cuff is at heart level.
- Don't talk or look at your phone while the machine measures.
- Take two readings, 1 minute apart, and write both down.
- Measure at the same times each day, for example morning and evening, or as your clinician asks.
What to write down
Date, time, the top number (systolic), the bottom number (diastolic), pulse, and anything worth noting, such as a missed medicine or feeling dizzy. Bring the log to every appointment. Ask your clinician what numbers they want you to call about, and follow their plan.
A log the whole family can read
Our Bilingual Blood Pressure Log prints these steps on every page, in English and Spanish, so a grandparent can measure and an adult child can review the numbers. Prefer bigger print? See the Large Print Health Trackers.
En español: cómo medir la presión en casa
No fume, no haga ejercicio ni tome cafeína 30 minutos antes. Vaya al baño. Siéntese con la espalda apoyada y los pies en el piso, sin cruzar las piernas, y descanse 5 minutos. Ponga el brazalete sobre la piel, con el brazo apoyado a la altura del corazón. No hable durante la medición. Tome dos lecturas con 1 minuto de diferencia y anote las dos. Lleve su registro a cada cita y siga las indicaciones de su médico.
This article is general education, not medical advice. Follow your own clinician's instructions. In an emergency, call 911. / Este artículo es información general, no consejo médico. En una emergencia, llame al 911.