Regular home readings give your doctor a much clearer picture than a single reading at the clinic.
Before you measure
- Avoid tea, coffee, smoking and exercise for 30 minutes.
- Empty your bladder.
- Sit quietly for 5 minutes with your back supported and feet flat on the floor.
Taking the reading
- Use an upper-arm monitor; wrist monitors are less accurate.
- Rest the arm on a table with the cuff at heart level.
- Don’t talk during the measurement.
- Take two readings one minute apart and write both down.
Understanding the numbers
A reading is written as systolic/diastolic, for example 120/80 mmHg. Ask your doctor what your personal target is, and contact them if readings are repeatedly above 140/90 or you feel dizzy, breathless or have chest pain.
Bring your written log to every appointment — or ask for a doctor’s home visit to review it together.
