How to Measure Blood Pressure at Home
Your blood pressure was high at the clinic.
Does one reading tell the whole story?
Not always. Walking, rushing to your appointment, feeling nervous, exercise, caffeine, and other everyday factors can temporarily affect your blood pressure.
Start by measuring your blood pressure at home in the morning and evening for 1 week.
Why this matters
High blood pressure often causes no obvious symptoms.
Regular home monitoring can help detect high blood pressure earlier and make it easier to manage. Keeping blood pressure under control helps reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke.
Start with 3 simple steps
1
Measure
Morning and evening
2
Record
Continue for 1 week
3
Send
Share your record with BLEZ Clinic
Did you know?
🏃
Rushing to the clinic can temporarily raise your blood pressure.
☕
Tea or coffee before measuring can affect your reading.
❤️
High blood pressure often causes no obvious symptoms.
Why measure blood pressure at home?
Blood pressure can change with activity, sleep, food, caffeine, alcohol, smoking, stress, temperature, and your general condition.
Blood pressure may also be higher at a clinic because of nervousness. This is known as white-coat hypertension.
That is why a single reading at the clinic does not always show what your blood pressure is usually like. Measuring it at home over several days gives the doctor more useful information. Home blood pressure monitoring is also recommended in the 2024 Thai Hypertension Guideline
When should I measure my blood pressure?
Measure your blood pressure in the morning and evening under similar conditions each day. You can also refer to OMRON’s guidance on home blood pressure monitoring for more information on correct measurement technique.
☀️ Morning
- Within 1 hour after waking up
- After using the bathroom
- Before breakfast
- Before tea or coffee (Avoid caffeine for at least 30 minutes before measuring)
- If you take blood pressure medicine, generally before taking your morning dose
- Sit quietly before measuring
🌙 Evening
- Before going to bed
- Avoid measuring immediately after rushing around or physical activity
- Sit quietly before measuring
5 points for a more accurate reading
- Use an upper-arm blood pressure monitor.
Upper-arm cuff monitors are generally recommended for home blood pressure measurement. - Sit in a chair and do not cross your legs.
Sit with your back supported and both feet flat on the floor. - Keep your arm at heart level.
Rest your arm on a table and relax it. - Put the cuff on correctly.
Avoid placing the cuff over thick clothing and follow the instructions for your monitor. - Do not talk or move while measuring.
Sit quietly and relax until the measurement is complete.
Is it normal for my blood pressure to be different every day?
Yes. It is normal for blood pressure to vary from day to day.
Lack of sleep, stress, exercise, food, alcohol, and your general condition can all affect the reading.
Instead of focusing too much on one high or low result, keep measuring for about a week and look at the overall pattern.
How should I record my readings?
You can use Excel, Google Sheets, your phone, or a notebook. The important thing is to keep one row for each day, with your morning and evening readings side by side.
Recommended record format
| Date | AM | PM | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 9/17 | 138/86 | 132/82 | — |
| 9/18 | 142/88 | 135/84 | Poor sleep |
| 9/19 | 136/84 | 130/80 | — |
Notes are optional. Add a short note only when useful, for example Poor sleep or Missed medication.
Easy format for your phone
18 Sep: AM ___/___, PM ___/____
19 Sep: AM ___/___, PM ___/___
Copy this format into your phone’s Notes app or LINE and continue it for 1 week.
If your monitor stores previous readings, you can send a photo of the stored readings or a screenshot from its app. Please include all readings, not only the days when your blood pressure is high.
If you prefer a paper record, you can use OMRON’s printable Blood Pressure Log (see page 12).
After 1 week, send your record to BLEZ Clinic
Once you have recorded your morning and evening blood pressure for 1 week, send the record to BLEZ Clinic via LINE as a photo or screenshot.
A doctor will review your record and advise you on the next step, which may include:
- continue monitoring at home
- come to the clinic for a consultation
- consider additional tests
- discuss your current medication or treatment
Do not wait 1 week in these situations
If your blood pressure is extremely high, you may need medical advice sooner.
The American Heart Association advises that if your systolic blood pressure is higher than 180 mmHg and/or your diastolic blood pressure is higher than 120 mmHg, wait at least 1 minute and measure again. If it remains extremely high, seek medical advice.
If very high blood pressure is accompanied by chest pain, shortness of breath, weakness or numbness of the face, arms or legs, vision changes, or difficulty speaking, do not wait for a LINE reply. Seek urgent medical care.
Why should high blood pressure not be ignored?
High blood pressure often causes no obvious symptoms.
According to the World Health Organization, uncontrolled high blood pressure can damage and stiffen the arteries over time, increasing the risk of coronary heart disease, heart attack, and stroke. It can also damage the kidneys and other organs.
This is why it is useful to know your usual blood pressure even when you feel well.
If your blood pressure is high, we may also check other health factors
High blood pressure can occur together with diabetes, high cholesterol, obesity, and kidney disease.
Depending on your health history and blood pressure readings, the doctor may recommend checking blood sugar, cholesterol, kidney function, or other tests.
If you already take blood pressure medication
Home blood pressure records are also useful for people who are already receiving treatment for hypertension.
Even if your readings become normal, do not reduce or stop your medication on your own.
Regular medical follow-up is recommended. Depending on your medication and health condition, the doctor may also recommend blood or urine tests to monitor kidney function and other cardiovascular risk factors.
BLEZ can support you from monitoring to medical advice
From getting a home blood pressure monitor to reviewing your readings with a doctor, BLEZ can support you through each step.
1. Get a home blood pressure monitor
Home blood pressure monitors are available at BLEZ Pharmacy stores. Please contact your nearest branch to check current availability before visiting.
2. Measure at home for 1 week
Measure your blood pressure in the morning and evening and keep a consistent record.
3. Send your record to BLEZ Clinic
Send a photo or screenshot via LINE. A doctor can review your readings and advise the next step.
Have you completed your 1-week record?
Send your morning and evening readings to BLEZ Clinic via LINE as a photo or screenshot. A doctor can review the pattern and advise you on the next step.
Note: Recommended blood pressure targets and follow-up may differ during pregnancy, in people with certain medical conditions, and in patients already receiving treatment. If you are currently under medical care, please follow your doctor’s individual instructions.
Medical review: The medical content of this article has been reviewed by a physician at BLEZ Clinic.
