Home blood pressure monitoring  

Monitoring your blood pressure using a home blood pressure monitor can be a really useful way of seeing what your blood pressure is like in your daily life. To get accurate readings, it is important to use the right monitor and the right technique.

Which home blood pressure monitor?
It is important to choose the right home monitor. Whatever automatic home blood pressure monitor you choose, make sure that it has been ‘clinically validated’. This means that it has been tested and gives results that you can trust.
A list of clinically validate monitors can be found at:
http://www.bhsoc.org/bp-monitors/bp-monitors/

Make sure you have the right cuff size
If you use a cuff that is the wrong size for you, your reading will not be correct.

Keep your monitor calibrated
Your blood pressure monitor will need to be re-calibrated at least once every two years to ensure it is accurate. To have your monitor re-calibrated, you will need to send it back to the manufacturer. There will probably be a fee for this service.

How to take your own blood pressure
•	Use the same arm for all readings
•	Do not wear tight fitting clothing  around the arm
•	Sit quietly for 5 minutes prior to taking the reading
•	Support your arm at the approximate level of your heart and relax the arm
•	Take three readings one minute apart morning and night for 7 days
•	Write down all readings and bring to the surgery for review.

Blood Pressure Readings
	DATE	TIME		SYSTOLIC
(TOP NUMBER)	DIASTOLIC
(BOTTOM NUMBER)	NOTES	

			1				
Day 1 am			2				
			3				
							
			1				
Day 1 pm			2				
			3				
							
			1				
Day 2 am			2				
			3				
							
			1				
Day 2 pm			2				
			3				
							
			1				
Day 3 am			2				
			3				
							
			1				
Day 3 pm			2				
			3				
							
			1				
Day 4 am			2				
			3				
							
			1				
Day 4 pm			2				
			3				
							
			1				
Day 5 am			2				
			3				
							
			1				
Day 5 pm			2				
			3				
							
			1				
Day 6 am			2				
			3				
							
			1				
Day 6 pm			2				
			3				
							
			1				
Day 7 am			2				
			3				
							
			1				
Day 7 pm			2				
			3