Know the recommendations: Ask your doctor what is a safe target blood pressure for you.īlood pressure machines are widely available for purchase at drug stores and online, and many machines keep track of the measurements for you.

Average your readings: Hypertension specialists recommend taking three readings and then averaging the last two for the most accurate measurement.

Discuss with your health care provider how often you should measure your blood pressure.

Be consistent: Take your blood pressure at the same time of day.

Proper timing: Blood pressure is often highest early in the morning – 5 a.m.

Relax: Measure your blood pressure when you are relaxed, not when you’re running late or on the go.

Measuring your blood pressure at home is easy, and providing your doctor with a sheet of blood pressure readings gives a fuller picture than a single reading in the office once every three months. Five tips for at-home blood pressure monitoring It’s known as “ white coat hypertension,” and it’s particularly common among elderly patients.įor that reason, I encourage my patients who take hypertension medication to monitor their blood pressure numbers at home.

Patients often are nervous about what their blood pressure will be when it’s measured at their doctor’s office, and that anxiety causes their blood pressure to go up. This can be very frustrating for hypertensive patients, especially those who are diligent about keeping their high blood pressure under control.

It’s not uncommon for patients to have normal blood pressure readings at home but high blood pressure readings at their doctor appointments.

Printable blood pressure range chart