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Home Blood Pressure Monitoring
Author: Dr. Vrolijk | Updated: August 23, 2025 | Disclaimer | Review Process | References
You probably check your weight without thinking much about it. Checking your blood pressure at home is even more important. And just like stepping on a scale, small things can throw off your numbers. The monitor you use, your body position, and even needing to pee can all change your reading.
This page covers why you might want to monitor at home and how to get readings you can trust.
Is Home Monitoring Right for Me?
When Home Monitoring Is Usually Recommended
- Have high blood pressure or take blood pressure medicine
- Aren’t able to go to the doctor for a yearly check up
- Need to check if your medicine is working
- Have blood pressure that’s different at home than the doctor’s office
- Started a medication that might make your blood pressure higher
Who Should Check at Home
Adults 40 and older: Should check once a year, even with normal blood pressure
Adults 18-39: Every 3-5 years if you have normal blood pressure and are at low risk for heart or vascular disease
Anyone taking blood pressure medicine: Checking every day or week helps you and your doctor make treatment decisions
During pregnancy: Home monitoring complements your prenatal care
Is It Accurate?
Yes. Studies even show home monitoring can be better than office measurements, especially if you’re nervous. But your monitor needs to work well, and you have to take your blood pressure correctly.
What Equipment Do I Need?
A Monitor
- Upper arm monitors are most accurate for most people
- Wrist monitors can work when upper arm ones don’t
Set Up
- Chair with back support – so you can sit upright
- Table or pillows – to rest your arm at heart level
- Quiet space – where you won’t be interrupted for a few minutes
What to Look for in a Monitor
- Right cuff size – measure your arm first
- Validated for accuracy – look for models doctors recommend
- Easy-to-read display – large numbers you can see clearly
How Do I Get Started?
A good way to start is to take your blood pressure 1-2 times a day. Morning and evening work best because this gives you time to rest before each measurement. Many people put their blood pressure monitor somewhere where they’ll see it to remind them. You may find it helpful to add it to your routine, like doing it after you brush your teeth.
If you and your doctor might decide on a different schedule, follow that instead.
What to Expect
- Your first few readings might be higher than normal as you get the technique down
- The first reading might be higher than the second if you don’t rest first
- You won’t have the same readings each time, since blood pressure changes during the day
Making It a Habit
Pick regular times that fit your routine, like after brushing your teeth. Allow about 10 minutes total each time.
Write down your measurements so you can track patterns and catch problems early. Since you can’t feel blood pressure changes, tracking is the only way to know how you’re doing.
How Do I Know My Readings Are Right?
- Bring your monitor to your doctor’s office – Ask them to check if it’s working well
- Ask your doctor’s office if you’re doing it right – Show them how you take your blood pressure
- Compare with a friend’s monitor – Take your blood pressure with both at the same time
Don't Worry about Small Differences
Blood pressure naturally changes throughout the day. Your second reading is often lower than the first. This is normal, because you rest more before the second one.
When to Get Help
If your readings are much higher or lower than usual, contact your doctor’s office.
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Resources We Used
Basile, Jan, and Michael J Bloch. “Overview of Hypertension in Adults.” UpToDate, Waltham, MA, 2015.
Coles, Sarah, Lynn Fisher, Kenneth W Lin, Corey Lyon, Alexis A Vosooney, and Melanie D Bird. “Blood Pressure Targets in Adults with Hypertension: A Clinical Practice Guideline from the AAFP.” American Family Physician 106, no. 6 (2022): 722A-722K.
US Preventive Services Task Force. Screening for Hypertension in Adults: US Preventive Services Task Force Reaffirmation Recommendation Statement. JAMA. 2021;325(16):1650-1656. doi:10.1001/jama.2021.4987
Weinfeld, Jeffrey M., Kathryn M. Hart, and Jose D. Vargas. “Home Blood Pressure Monitoring.” American Family Physician 104, no. 2 (September 2021): 237–43.
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