Instructions: Check your blood pressure for 3 days (minimum) to 7 days (preferred) before your appointment with your health care professional. You should take two readings, one minute apart twice a day. Two readings in the morning before taking your medication and eating, and two readings at bedtime before sleep.

Understanding the Context

Use our blood pressure chart to learn what your blood pressure numbers mean. Systolic, diastolic? The American Heart Association helps you understand the various levels of blood pressure and how high blood pressure or hypertension is defined. Also learn about prehypertension, hypertension, hypertensive crisis, and what is a healthy blood pressure.

Key Insights

SELF-MEASURED BLOOD PRESSURE: 7-DAY RECORDING LOG Before you get started Self-measured blood pressure (SMBP) monitoring works best when you partner with your health care professional (HCP). Antes de comenzar El monitoreo de presión arterial medida por el paciente (Self-measured blood pressure, SMBP) funciona mejor cuando usted se asocia con su profesional de atención médica (health care professional, HCP). Blood Pressure Categories Infographic describing the corresponding blood pressure readings between normal and hypertensive crisis. UNDERSTAND READINGS TRACK LEVELS HOW TO MANAGE BLOOD PRESSURE If you have overweight or obesity, even a weight loss of at least 5%, can lower or prevent high blood pressure. MANAGE WEIGHT You can track your blood pressure at home with a validated blood pressure device.

Final Thoughts

Some pharmacies, health clinics and fire stations have free monitoring stations. The American Heart Association explains how to keep track of your blood pressure levels at home in addition to regular measurements taken at a healthcare professional's office. Download the American Heart Association's blood pressure tracker chart to help monitor your blood pressure at home.