Home Blood Pressure Monitoring (HBPM)

Home blood pressure monitoring (HBPM) involves checking your blood pressure yourself using an approved automatic monitor. Readings taken at home are often more accurate than one-off clinic readings because they avoid the “white coat effect” and reflect your usual daily blood pressure pattern.

HBPM helps identify whether blood pressure is consistently raised and supports decisions about lifestyle changes or medication.

These articles are intended as educational sources, not diagnostic nor taking place of a proper medical assessment. If you need help, please book an appointment with one of our GP’s.

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Why HBPM Is Helpful

Home readings give a clearer overall picture because:

they reduce the effect of stress or rushing to an appointment
readings are taken in a familiar environment
multiple readings over several days show true patterns
they help monitor how lifestyle changes or medication are working

GPs often use HBPM results alongside clinic readings and blood tests when assessing cardiovascular risk.

How to Take Readings Correctly

Rest for five minutes Sit in a chair with feet flat on the floor and relax quietly before you check your blood pressure.

Measure morning and evening Take readings once in the morning and once in the evening, before caffeine or heavy meals if possible.

Take two readings Take two readings, one minute apart, and use the average. This gives a more reliable result.

Record readings over several days Write readings in a log or app for at least four to seven days so your GP can see the overall pattern.

Understanding Your Readings

A home blood pressure result has two numbers:

Systolic (the top number): pressure when the heart pumps
Diastolic (the bottom number): pressure when the heart relaxes

Blood pressure naturally varies across the day. GPs are usually more interested in the overall pattern over several days than in any single reading.

If your readings seem high, unusual for you, or are worrying you, it is sensible to discuss them with a GP.

Common Patterns GPs Look For

A GP reviewing HBPM results may consider:

whether most readings are within, above, or below the expected range for you
how morning and evening readings compare
whether lifestyle factors explain fluctuations
how numbers have changed after medication adjustments
whether additional tests (for example, kidney function or lipids) are needed

These patterns help build a clearer picture of cardiovascular risk.

Factors that can affect home readings

Blood pressure can be influenced by:

recent physical activity
stress or anxiety
caffeine or energy drinks
alcohol
poor or interrupted sleep
pain or acute illness
certain medicines or decongestants

When taking readings, it is helpful to note any obvious factors that may have affected the result.

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How HBPM fits into GP care

HBPM is usually part of a wider assessment, not a stand-alone test. A GP may use it to:

confirm or rule out high blood pressure
decide whether medication is appropriate
monitor response to treatment
support lifestyle-led approaches in early or borderline cases
guide long-term follow-up and review intervals

Decisions are based on your readings, your medical history and your overall cardiovascular risk.

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Important Note

This article provides general information only. Home blood pressure readings should always be interpreted in the context of your overall health. If you are concerned about your readings or how you feel, a GP can review your results and advise on appropriate next steps.

AccessGP: Home blood pressure diary

Print this page and record your morning and evening readings for seven days. Take two readings each time, one minute apart, and note any comments that might be helpful for your GP.

Date	Time	Reading 1 (mmHg)	Reading 2 (mmHg)	Average (mmHg)	Notes
	Morning
	Evening
	Morning
	Evening
	Morning
	Evening
	Morning
	Evening
	Morning
	Evening
	Morning
	Evening
	Morning
	Evening
7-day average (optional, for GP use)