Home Blood Pressure Monitoring

If you have high blood pressure, your doctor or nurse practitioner has probably recommended that you monitor your blood pressure at home. This is important for several reasons. First, it gives you and your doctor an idea of whether or not your medications are working and if your blood pressure is getting worse. Second, it indicates if there are trends in your blood pressure variations: is your blood pressure significantly higher in the early evening, for instance, or after exercise? Finally, if you have "white coat hypertension," you will know by monitoring your blood pressure at home. Some individuals have an involuntary rise in blood pressure in the doctor's office, but don't acually have high blood pressure during their normal routine activities.

How to monitor your blood pressure at home

You will need some way to measure your blood pressure, and a small notebook or card to write down the date, the time, and your blood pressure reading. If you are feeling really frisky, you can enter all the data into Excel and print it out for your doctor. He or she will be impressed, I promise! If you know someone who has a blood pressure cuff and a stethoscope, you can have them check your blood pressure manually. You can also purchase an automatic blood pressure cuff for about $60. These are easy to use, and can be done by one person. If this is not an option, many drug stores and large retailers have blood pressure machines that accurately check blood pressure for 25 cents. Keep in mind that "home blood pressure monitoring," doesn't necessarily mean "at home," just outside of the doctor's office or hospital. Whatever method you use, sit comfortably for a few minutes before taking the reading, and make sure both feet are resting flat on the floor. If you have larger or smaller than average arms, make sure the cuff fits. You may need to get a larger or smaller cuff. Don't rely on your memory; write down the readings in a small notebook or on a card, and be sure to take the measurements in to your doctor at every visit.

This article is not intended to be used to diagnose or treat any medical condition. Please consult your health care provider for questions related to your own medical care.

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Also check out other home monitoring systems like baby monitoring systems.