Taking your blood pressure at home

How do I measure my blood pressure?

To measure your blood pressure, it is good to practise this beforehand. Measure twice a day: in the morning and in the evening and make sure you do not exert yourself, smoke or drink coffee half an hour before the measurement.

• Sit on a high chair, upright with your legs side by side.
• Sit quietly for at least 5 minutes, without talking.
• Then measure your blood pressure.
• Always write down what you measured: the upper pressure and the lower pressure.
• Measure blood pressure again after 2 minutes. Again record the upper and lower pressures.

Do this every morning and evening for 5 days. Each time, record the day, time of day, upper and lower pressures. It is normal if the blood pressure is higher some times than other times.

Blood pressure at home is often lower than at your GP's (on average 5 points lower). In some people, even very much lower. For example, if you are tense at the GP, sometimes without noticing it yourself.