Learning how to monitor your own health can help you age in place.
If you are an older adult with high blood pressure, learning how to take blood pressure readings at home can help preserve your independence. To prepare, purchase an at-home blood pressure monitor and know how to take an accurate blood pressure reading.
Below, we walk you through step-by-step instructions on how to take blood pressure readings at home. We'll also review the differences between manual and digital devices. Lastly, we'll review how you can stay independent when living at home with high blood pressure.
Please note: This post is meant for informational purposes only and should not be taken as medical advice. If you have chronically high blood pressure or are at risk of developing heart disease, please speak with your healthcare provider about developing a plan that's right for you.
What Is High Blood Pressure and Why Does It Matter?
According to the American Heart Association (AHA), high blood pressure (or hypertension) is when the force of blood pushing against the walls of your blood vessels is consistently too high.
Every time your heart beats, blood pressure pushes blood through your blood vessels and into arteries, veins, and capillaries. Blood pressure is the result of two forces:
Systolic pressure: This is the first force, which occurs when your blood pumps from the heart and into your arteries. On a blood pressure reading, systolic blood pressure is the top number.
Diastolic pressure: This pressure is created when your heart rests between heartbeats. On a blood pressure reading, diastolic blood pressure is the bottom number.
Normal blood pressure should be 120/80 mm Hg (millimeters of mercury), while elevated blood pressure might be between 120–129/80. High blood pressure falls above 130/80. Low blood pressure is typically lower than 90/60.
Sometimes, high blood pressure will cause your heart and blood vessels to work harder than they should. This could be caused by a buildup of plaque in your arteries (high cholesterol) or a number of other lifestyle factors.
When your blood pressure is chronically high, it could negatively impact your heart health. The Mayo Clinic warns that undetected high blood pressure could cause a hypertensive crisis, which could lead to a heart attack or stroke.
When Should You Take a Blood Pressure Reading?
If you are a healthy adult over the age of 40, you should get a blood pressure reading from your health care professional at least once a year.
However, if you have a history of hypertension, your medical care provider may suggest you take your blood pressure daily. In fact, the American Heart Association says as many as 50% of older adults should monitor their own blood pressure.
This is why learning how to take blood pressure at home is so important. By investing in your own blood pressure monitor, you can dramatically cut down on healthcare costs, track your treatment, and discover early changes in your blood pressure.
How To Select an At-Home Blood Pressure Monitor
A list of at-home blood pressure monitors approved by the American Medical Association can be found at ValidateBP.org. These blood pressure devices were evaluated by an independent review board and do not offer funding to the American Heart Association or the American Medical Association. We recommend using this website to find an accurate reader, then purchasing your choice on a third-party website.
Typically, there are two kinds of blood pressure monitors: aneroid (manual) monitors and digital monitors. No matter which model you choose, we recommend purchasing a monitor that attaches to your upper arm, as wrist and finger blood pressure monitors have been known to be inaccurate.
Here are the key differences between an aneroid and a digital monitor.
Aneroid Monitors
An aneroid monitor is a manual blood pressure device. Here are several features to note:
How to take a reading: You will read your blood pressure from a dial rather than on a digital reader.
How it works: It features an arm cuff that goes around your upper arm. You'll squeeze a rubber ball to make the cuff inflate. You will need to listen to your heartbeat through an attached stethoscope (details on what to listen for later).
How much it costs: An aneroid monitor is typically more affordable than a digital monitor, costing between $20–$40.
Digital Monitors
Digital blood pressure monitors, as one would expect, create a digital reading of your blood pressure on a small screen. They are typically more popular than aneroid monitors because they are easier to use.
How to take a reading: Your blood pressure will display on a small screen (in some models, it will print on a piece of paper). Most digital monitors also come with an error reading.
How it works: Digital monitors come with a gauge and stethoscope in one unit, and you don't need to listen to your heartbeat to take a reading. In addition, most models typically inflate the arm cuff automatically.
How much it costs: Digital monitors are more expensive than aneroid models and cost between $30–$100.
How To Take Blood Pressure at Home
To take your blood pressure at home, follow these step-by-step instructions.
Please note: The following instructions are meant for blood pressure measurements taken with an aneroid monitor. For digital readings, please read the instructions that come with your monitor and follow them exactly.
Wrap the cuff around your upper portion of your non-dominant arm (if you are right-handed, wrap the cuff around your left arm).
Place the head of the stethoscope by your brachial artery, or the inside of your left elbow. It should be placed directly beneath the arm cuff. Place the stethoscope in your ears.
Rapidly squeeze the rubber ball to inflate the cuff until it reaches 180 mm HG. Then, gradually release air from the arm cuff at roughly 3 mm per second.
Listen to the stethoscope and watch the dial. When you hear a knocking sound, record the dial reading on the sphygmomanometer (this is your systolic blood pressure).
Continue to slowly release air from the cuff. When the knocking sound disappears, record the dial reading again. This is your diastolic blood pressure.
If your vital signs show elevated blood pressure, take your blood pressure once again to test for accuracy.
How To Take an Accurate Reading for Blood Pressure
To take an accurate blood pressure reading, the American Heart Association recommends the following seven tips. While getting a blood pressure reading:
Don't talk or have a conversation.
Sit down in a chair with a supported back, keeping your back straight.
Put the blood pressure cuff on bare skin (not clothing).
Rest your cuffed arm on a surface (such as an armrest or kitchen counter) at heart level.
Go to the bathroom before taking a reading.
Do not cross your legs or feet.
Rest your feet flat on the floor.
At-Home Blood Pressure Monitoring Can Help Preserve Your Independence
If you know how to monitor it, you can have chronic high blood pressure and still age in place.
Learning how to take your own blood pressure can help prevent an emergency trip to the doctor's office, sparing you unnecessary medical bills. It can also help you catch changes in your blood pressure early and see how your blood pressure responds to medication or lifestyle changes.
If you have chronically high blood pressure, a medical professional might recommend that you take your blood pressure reading daily. In addition, downloading the Snug app on your phone can help ensure your safety and wellbeing.
With Snug, you will perform a daily check-in on your smartphone. If you ever miss a check-in, we will alert your emergency contact to check on you. These simple practices can help you maintain your independence and safety, even when living alone with high blood pressure.