Home blood pressure monitoring has come a long way. The latest monitors provide a reliable, accurate, and inexpensive way to monitor and manage hypertension (high blood pressure) and other conditions.

Many Benefits to Home Use
Because blood pressure can be checked several times every day, home monitoring may be a better tool to diagnose early hypertension and determine cardiovascular risk. In addition, home monitoring may be especially useful for those with diabetes and chronic kidney disease to help manage their conditions. And monitoring blood pressure at home helps avoid “white-coat hypertension,” or high blood pressure that occurs only in medical settings.

Choosing a Monitor
Picking the right home blood pressure monitor for you is simple when you follow these tips:

• Look for a monitor that has been validated by the Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation or the British Hypertension Society. You can find a list of validated monitors at the Web sites www.bhsoc.org and www.dableducational.org.
• Monitors that measure blood pressure on the upper arm and have fully automatic cuffs are the most reliable. Make sure the cuff is the correct size for your arm.
• Bring your monitor with you when you visit your physician so it can be checked for accuracy.