How to measure blood pressure at home

Prepare your chair, cuff and log

• Choose a quiet place. Have a chair with back support and a table that can support your arm at heart level.
• Wait at least 30 minutes after caffeine, tobacco or exercise. Sit quietly for five minutes before starting.
• Use the arm your healthcare provider recommends. Fit the cuff directly on bare skin and loosen or remove any tight sleeve.

Position the cuff and take the reading

1. Sit with your back supported, feet flat and legs uncrossed. Rest your forearm on the table.
2. Put the middle of the cuff at heart level. Follow the placement marks in your manual. Hypertension Canada’s guide illustrates a lower edge about 3 cm above the elbow crease.
3. Start the monitor. Keep still and quiet until it finishes. To repeat, wait at least one minute between readings. If your device manual gives a longer interval, follow it.

If the cuff shifts or the display shows a fit or movement alert, read your model’s instructions before repeating.

Collect a series your healthcare provider can use

Ask what schedule your healthcare provider wants and whether to take readings before a meal or medication. The patient guide accompanying the 2025 Hypertension Canada guideline suggests taking two readings per session, twice a day for several days before a visit. Follow the timing and number of readings requested for your situation.

Record the date, time and both pressure values from each reading. Include pulse if requested and note any measurement problem. Bring the record to your visit for interpretation. Blood pressure changes during the day, so keep individual readings in the log.

A simple record to copy

Sources

• Hypertension Canada 2025 patient guide, page 5
• Public Health Agency of Canada home measuring steps
• Heart & Stroke home measurement guidance