Blood pressure monitor diary

How to measure your own blood pressure

Before you take your reading, please read the information below.

• Many things can make your blood pressure rise for a short time. Make sure you do not need to use the toilet, and that you have not just eaten a big meal. Do not measure your blood pressure within 30 minutes of drinking caffeine or smoking, or immediately after exercise or drinking alcohol.
• Wear loose-fitting clothes like a t-shirt so that you can push your sleeve up comfortably.
• Always use the same arm for readings, as each arm will give you a slightly different reading. If possible, use the arm that your doctor or nurse uses when measuring your blood pressure.
• Before you take your readings, rest for a few minutes. You should be sitting down in a quiet place, preferably at a desk or table, with your arm resting, palm up, on a firm surface and your feet flat on the floor.
• Make sure your arm is supported and that the cuff around your arm is at the same level as your heart. You may need to support your arm with a cushion to be sure it is at the correct height. Your arm should be relaxed, not tensed.

Taking your reading

• Follow the instructions that come with the monitor to put your cuff on.
• Make sure you are relaxed and comfortable. If you are anxious or uncomfortable, this will make your blood pressure rise temporarily.
• When you are taking your reading, keep still and silent. Moving and talking can affect your reading.
• Take two or three readings, each about two minutes apart, and then work out the average. Some people find that their first reading is much higher than the next readings. If this is the case for you, keep taking readings until they level out and stop falling, then use this as your reading.
• Record your reading, either in the memory of your monitor or on a computer or write it down on some paper. We have included a sample table at the end of this booklet, which you can use.
• Do not round your measurements up or down. If you don’t keep accurate records of your blood pressure, this may affect the treatment you receive. For example, if your blood pressure is 127/84 don’t round to 130/80 to 90.
• Do not be alarmed if you get an unexpected high reading. A one-off reading may be nothing to worry about. Measure your blood pressure again at another time, but if you find that it continues to be high after a period, see your doctor or nurse.
• Please take your blood pressure 3 times each day for the next 7 days. If possible, try to take your blood pressure around the same time each day, morning, lunch time and evening.
• Don’t check your blood pressure too often or you may become worried or stressed about small changes in your reading. This can raise your blood pressure temporarily, worrying about your blood pressure reading may actually make it higher.

Document control

• Document reference: DP8940/11.23.
• Date reviewed: July 2022.

Page last reviewed: October 30, 2024
Next review due: October 30, 2025