The Importance of Home Monitoring
Home blood pressure monitoring is a vital component of hypertension management. It provides more blood pressure data, helping doctors more accurately assess control status and adjust treatment plans promptly.
"Home blood pressure monitoring is important evidence for hypertension diagnosis and treatment." - Chinese Hypertension Prevention Guidelines
Choosing Appropriate Monitors
Recommended are validated electronic upper-arm monitors, more accurate than wrist models. Select cuff sizes fitting individual arm circumferences—too large or small affects accuracy.
Monitors should be calibrated annually. Purchase medically certified devices ensuring measurement precision.
Correct Measurement Methods
Rest for 5 minutes before measuring, avoiding smoking, alcohol, and strenuous exercise. Sit upright with arm at heart level; cuff snug but allowing one finger underneath.
Take 2-3 consecutive measurements 1-2 minutes apart, averaging results. If first two readings differ by >5mmHg, take a third.
Optimal Measurement Timing
Measure at consistent times daily—ideally within 1 hour of morning waking and before bedtime. Morning measurements should precede medication; evening measurements follow dinner by 2 hours.
Initially, monitor consecutively for 7 days, then adjust frequency based on control status. Well-controlled patients can measure 2-3 times weekly.
Recording and Analyzing Results
Maintain blood pressure diaries documenting time, values, heart rate, medications, and physical sensations. Use apps or paper logs.
Observing trends matters more than single readings. Consult doctors if blood pressure remains elevated or low for several consecutive days.
Identifying Abnormalities
If systolic pressure ≥180mmHg or diastolic ≥120mmHg accompanies headache, chest pain, or breathing difficulty, seek immediate care—possible hypertensive emergency.
Persistent blood pressure below 90/60mmHg with dizziness or weakness may indicate hypotension, also requiring medical evaluation.
Data Sharing and Communication
Regularly share monitoring data with doctors, ideally providing over one week of consecutive records. Most modern monitors support data export.
Describe measurement conditions, medications, and physical sensations in detail during visits—this information aids medical judgment.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
If arm-to-arm differences exceed 10mmHg, routinely monitor the higher-reading arm. Replace cuffs if leaking or displaying errors.
Patients with arrhythmias may get inaccurate readings—use monitors with arrhythmia detection functions or consult doctors for appropriate methods.