Why Your Blood Pressure Reading at Home Matters More Than at the Clinic

How to measure correctly

Sit quietly for five minutes, feet flat, arm supported at heart level, no talking. Take two readings a minute apart, morning and evening, for seven days.

Which monitor to buy

Choose a validated upper-arm cuff device. Wrist monitors are convenient but less reliable. Bring the device to your visit so we can check it.

What the numbers mean

A home average above 135/85 usually needs treatment. Occasional high readings after coffee or an argument do not.

The takeaway

Log your readings in a notebook or app and bring them to your follow-up.