Checking your blood pressure at home is an easy and smart way to take care of your health. This is especially true if you have high blood pressure, also called hypertension.
High blood pressure affects many people and often has no signs or symptoms. That’s why it is sometimes called the “silent killer.”
If not treated, high blood pressure can lead to serious problems such as heart disease, strokes, or kidney damage. But checking your blood pressure regularly can help you manage it and see if your treatment is working.
In the past, people usually had their blood pressure checked only during a visit to the doctor. But this can sometimes cause a problem known as “white coat hypertension.” This means that some people feel nervous at the doctor’s office, which makes their blood pressure go up. As a result, the reading may not show their true blood pressure.
Measuring your blood pressure at home, where you feel more relaxed, gives a clearer and more accurate picture of your health.
So how often should you check it? The answer depends on your health. If you just found out you have high blood pressure or have started a new medicine, your doctor might ask you to check it once or twice a day. This helps the doctor see if the medicine is working or needs to be changed.
If your blood pressure is steady and under control, you won’t need to check it as often. In that case, a few times a week or even a few times a month may be enough. But it’s still a good idea to keep checking it now and then, so you can notice any sudden changes.
The American Heart Association says it’s best to check your blood pressure at the same times every day—like in the morning before breakfast and in the evening before bed. This helps you get more consistent and useful readings.
To make sure your reading is correct, follow a few simple tips: sit and rest for a few minutes before taking your blood pressure, keep your back supported and feet flat on the floor, and don’t drink coffee or exercise for 30 minutes before checking.
It’s also best to use an arm-cuff monitor that has been tested for accuracy. Wrist and finger monitors are easier to use but not always reliable. You can buy a good monitor at a pharmacy or online.
Keep a record of your blood pressure readings. You can write them down in a notebook or use an app on your phone. Show this record to your doctor during visits. It can help guide your treatment and show how your habits—like eating healthier, exercising, or lowering stress—affect your blood pressure.
Studies show that people who check their blood pressure at home do a better job managing it. They are more likely to stick to their treatment and feel more in control. This can help lower the chances of serious problems like heart attacks or strokes.
In short, how often you check your blood pressure depends on your condition. But checking it regularly is a smart and simple way to stay healthy. Ask your doctor how often you should check it, make it part of your daily routine, and use the results to take control of your health.
If you care about high blood pressure, please read studies that early time-restricted eating could help improve blood pressure, and natural coconut sugar could help reduce blood pressure and artery stiffness.
For more health information, please see recent studies about added sugar in your diet linked to higher blood pressure, and results showing vitamin D could improve blood pressure in people with diabetes.
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