If you have a long term condition that requires you to take medication to control your blood pressure it is a good idea to check your blood pressure periodically to make sure your medication is working.
We recommend checking your blood pressure once a month.
We no longer run the INHEALTH blood pressure monitoring system.
How to check your blood pressure at home
For the most accurate readings:
- Sit quietly for 5 minutes before checking.
- Avoid caffeine, smoking and exercise for 30 minutes beforehand.
- Sit with your feet flat on the floor and your arm supported.
- Take two readings, one minute apart.
- Record your readings so you can identify changes over time.
What sort of blood pressure monitor should I use?
Blood Pressure Monitors purchased from pharmacies should provide you with an accurate reading. If you are buying online approved monitors can be purchased via the British Heart Foundation link below. Before buying a blood pressure monitor you may want to measure the size of your upper arm with a tape measure to make sure you order the right size cuff.
What to do with your readings
You blood pressure has a two numbers. We are interested in both numbers. If either is elevated it still means you have high blood pressure. When interpreting your blood pressure you do not need to wait for both numbers to be raised before you do something.
Less than 135/85 – This is ok and nothing further needs to be done
Between 135/85 to 180/100 – This suggests your blood pressure might be a bit high. If this is the case check it 2-3 more times that week. If its still a raise it can be helpful to perform a period of more intensive measurements over a week if they have noticed that their blood pressure is creeping up. If you choose to do this you can either
- Get a paper form – Request a blood pressure form from reception. Once completed please hand this in to reception. We will contact you if we pick up on an abnormality
- Get access to blood pressure monitoring online – Speak to a receptionist and ask them to send you an online form. This will be sent to you by text and you will have access to a computer program that will remind you to take your blood pressure daily. The result of your blood pressure readings over the week will be sent to one of the nurses. We will contact you if we pick up on an abnormality
- Alternatively speak to your GP for advice
Higher than 180/100 – This suggests your blood pressure is really poorly controlled. Make an urgent GP or a nurse appointment so we can recheck it and come up with a plan.
If you are unsure about how to check your blood pressure or what to do with the result, please make an appointment with the practice nurse.
Request a blood pressure readings diary
Please complete the online form below to request a blood pressure readings diary from the practice.
Once we have received your form, we will send a text message containing a link to the diary.
