Home Blood Pressure Monitoring
Quick Facts
- You should monitor your blood pressure at home if you have been diagnosed with high blood pressure.
- You should use an automatic, upper arm cuff-style monitor.
- Follow the instructions for accurate blood pressure monitoring at home.
Take Control of Your Blood Pressure
Is your blood pressure in a healthy range? The best way to know is to get it checked.
Then, enter your numbers into this calculator to see which blood pressure category the reading is in.
Systolic Pressure
Diastolic Pressure
Normal Blood Pressure
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Elevated Blood Pressure
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This blood pressure reading is in the elevated range. Unless steps are taken to control it, elevated blood pressure can turn into high blood pressure.
It’s important to recheck your blood pressure with your health care team. They can confirm if this reading is within your target blood pressure range and discuss any steps you might need to take to keep it in a healthy range. Lifestyle changes can help.
High Blood Pressure Stage 1
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High Blood Pressure Stage 2
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Hypertensive Crisis
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This blood pressure reading is in the hypertensive crisis range.
- Wait five minutes.
- Take your blood pressure again.
If your readings are still high, call your health care professional right away.
Call 911 if your blood pressure is higher than 180/120 and you are having chest pain, shortness of breath, back pain, numbness, weakness, change in vision or difficulty speaking.
If you get a high blood pressure reading
- A single high reading is not an immediate cause for alarm. If you get a reading that is higher than normal, take your blood pressure a second time. Write down the results of both measurements. Check with your health care professional to see if there’s a health concern or whether there may be problems with your monitor.
- If your blood pressure readings are suddenly higher than 180/120 mm Hg, wait at least one minute and test again. If your readings are still very high, contact your health care professional immediately. You could be having a hypertensive crisis.
- Call 911 if your blood pressure is higher than 180/120 mm Hg and if you are having new signs or symptoms that may include:
- Chest pain
- Shortness of breath
- Back pain
- Numbness
- Weakness
- Change in vision
- Difficulty speaking
- Confusion
- Dizziness
- Vomiting
Keep a blood pressure journal
One blood pressure measurement is like a snapshot. It tells what your blood pressure is at that moment. A record of readings taken over time provides a more complete picture of your blood pressure. This can help you work with your doctor to make sure that your treatments to reduce your blood pressure are working.
