Monitoring Blood Pressure at Home: Who Should Do It and How

Learning to monitor your or a loved one’s blood pressure can be a game-changer. It’s a simple way to support health and catch problems early. Read on to learn who should monitor their blood pressure at home and the best way to do it.

High blood pressure, or hypertension, is often called the "silent killer," because it can go unnoticed for years while quietly damaging your heart, blood vessels, and other organs. Four in 10 Americans with high blood pressure don’t know they have it.

Here at Bridgewater Primary Care & Cardiology, we focus on primary care, women’s health, geriatric care, and family medicine with a special focus on cardiology. Our specialists know that empowering patients to monitor their blood pressure at home can make a significant difference in managing this condition.

Should you be checking your blood pressure at home? Read on to learn if you’d benefit and how to do it effectively.

Who should monitor blood pressure at home

Home blood pressure monitoring is valuable for anyone diagnosed with hypertension. Tracking it at home provides a clearer picture of how well your treatment plan is working.

When you visit us at Bridgewater Primary Care & Cardiology, the in-office reading only provides a brief snapshot of your blood pressure levels. Some patients experience "white coat hypertension" (elevated readings due to anxiety in a medical setting). Home monitoring helps us see your numbers in a relaxed environment.

Other people also benefit from home blood pressure monitoring, including:

Anyone at risk of hypertension

Family history of hypertension, obesity, diabetes, smoking, or a sedentary lifestyle puts you at higher risk. If you have any of these risk factors, especially if you’re over 40 or have a family member with heart disease, monitoring your blood pressure can catch changes early.

Older adults

As you age, blood vessels naturally stiffen, increasing the likelihood of hypertension. We recommend home monitoring to our geriatric patients to detect subtle shifts, especially since they may also have conditions like atrial fibrillation or heart failure that require closer attention.

Pregnant women

A type of high blood pressure can develop in pregnant women. This condition, called preeclampsia, can develop suddenly. Home monitoring can be a lifesaver for early detection, especially if you’ve had high readings at prenatal visits.

People with symptoms or concerns

Do you ever feel dizzy, have headaches, or notice your heart racing? These could be signs of blood pressure fluctuations. Monitoring at home can help you and our team figure out what’s going on.

The benefits of monitoring at home

Beyond convenience, home monitoring gives us real-world data. It helps us spot patterns — like morning spikes or post-meal dips — that we might miss in the office. For patients with heart conditions or those juggling family life, it’s also a way to stay proactive without frequent appointments.

Step-by-step: How to monitor at home

Getting accurate readings is key, so here’s how to do it right:

Choose the right device

Invest in a validated, automatic upper-arm cuff monitor (not wrist or finger devices, which are less reliable). Look for one approved by organizations like the American Heart Association. We can recommend a good model.

Create a positive environment

Sit quietly for five minutes before measuring. Avoid caffeine, exercise, or smoking for at least 30 minutes prior. Use a chair with back support, keep your feet flat on the floor, and rest your arm on a table at heart level. Avoid talking or moving during the reading.

Take consistent readings

Try to measure at the same time each day. Always take two readings, a minute or two apart, and record both. Over time, this helps you see trends.

Record your results

Keep a log with the date, time, and readings. Note anything unusual — like stress or missed medication — so we can better understand any fluctuations.

Know when to seek help

A good target for most adults is below 120/80 mmHg, though this varies if you’re on medication or have other conditions. For older adults, we sometimes aim for slightly higher, such as 130-140/90 mmHg, to avoid dizziness or falls.

Call our office if your readings consistently exceed 140/90 mmHg, drop too low (below 90/60 with symptoms), or if you feel unwell.

Always make sure the cuff of your blood pressure device fits your arm snugly. Stay calm during your readings.

Bring your home logs to your next appointment so we can best customize your care.

Take charge of your blood pressure health

Monitoring blood pressure at home isn’t about replacing your doctor. It's about partnering with us. Whether you’re managing a chronic condition, keeping tabs on your heart health, or just staying proactive as you age, measuring your blood pressure is critical.

If you’re unsure where to start or what your numbers mean, reach out to us at Bridgewater Primary Care & Cardiology. Call our office or use our online tool to schedule an appointment today at our West Bridgewater, Massachusetts, practice, conveniently located near Boston.