High blood pressure, also called hypertension, is one of the chronic health conditions that affects around 1.3 billion people across the globe. If left untreated, hypertension can become a severe health problem and result in complications like angina, irregular heartbeat, heart attack, heart failure, stroke, and even death. Thus, it is vital to monitor blood pressure regularly at home to avert such adverse events.

Well, blood pressure can be checked either in a medical set-up with the help of a device called a sphygmomanometer or at home using a digital blood pressure device.
Blood pressure monitor

Understanding Blood Pressure Values

Blood pressure is considered normal when the values are 120/80mm/Hg, where 120mm Hg is the systolic BP and 80mmHg is the diastolic BP. As per the American Heart Association, the different classifications of blood pressure include:

Low BP is also known as hypotension, which is a state where BP falls below 90/60mm Hg. This state requires prompt medical attention.

Elevated BP is when the systolic BP ranges from 120- 129 mm Hg and the diastolic pressure is at or below 80 mm Hg.

Stage 1 hypertension, the systolic BP ranges from 130 to 139 mm Hg, and the diastolic pressure ranges from 80-89 mm Hg.

Stage 2 hypertension, the systolic BP ranges from 140 mm Hg or even higher, while the diastolic pressure goes above 90 mm Hg.

Hypertensive crisis is a critical stage of hypertension where the systolic blood pressure goes above 180 mm Hg and the diastolic blood pressure exceeds 120 mm Hg. It requires immediate medical attention, as the person can suffer multiple organ failures.

Also Read: Accelerated Hypertension: Causes, Symptoms And Treatment

Types Of Blood Pressure Monitors

Blood pressure can be determined with the help of two types of devices: manual and digital.

Manual Blood Pressure Machine

This device is called a manual sphygmomanometer, and it is one of the most widely used blood pressure measuring tools in a medical setup. It comprises a cuff that is tied around the arm of the person, a gauge (reading scale), and an inflation bulb. This device is used chiefly by healthcare professionals as it needs a stethoscope to interpret the values.

Manual sphygmomanometers are available in two types:

Mercury Sphygmomanometer: This device is deemed the gold standard for determining blood pressure clinically. This device contains mercury in the reading scale.

Aneroid Sphygmomanometer: This device does not have mercury in the reading board, but has a round gauge for measuring the BP.

Digital Blood Pressure Machine

This device is also called a digital sphygmomanometer, and the device is used mainly at home without any help. The process of measuring blood pressure at home, away from a hospital, is called self-measured blood pressure monitoring (SMBP). It is safe and easy to use and contains a cuff and a monitor to check ambulatory blood pressure. Ambulatory monitoring includes checking the blood pressure at set times, and a person must wear the cuff for 24 hours. Blood pressure can be evaluated accurately at home with the help of a digital monitor, unless the person suffers from heart rhythm problems, problems like atrial fibrillation, arrhythmia, etc.

Also Read: Some Effective Home Remedies To Tackle Hypertension

Benefits Of a Blood Pressure Machine

  • Having a BP monitor at home can help measure blood pressure regularly, which helps to avert sudden health risks such as heart failure and stroke
  • Digital BP machines can check ambulatory BP 24 hours a day, which can help in diagnosing masked hypertension, thereby mitigating the risk of organ damage
  • Digital blood pressure machines are compact, and they can be carried anywhere while travelling
  • Digital BP machines can be highly beneficial for elderly, bedridden, and pregnant women who cannot visit a doctor regularly to get their blood pressure checked
  • Additionally, health centres mostly trigger anxiety and may increase blood pressure for most people, which is known as white coat hypertension. While digital BP devices can help take the correct blood pressure for such persons

Things to Remember:

When measuring blood pressure at home, keep in mind the following tips:

  • Avoid having caffeine or smoking for 30 minutes before measuring your BP
  • Do not exercise or even walk 30 minutes before BP checking
  • It is best to empty the bladder before measuring BP
  • Roll up the sleeve on your arm or remove any tight-sleeved dressing, and place the cuff on the bare arm
  • Do not talk while checking the blood pressure
  • Rest in a chair near a table for 5 to 10 minutes; your arm should rest comfortably at heart level. Sit straight with your back against the chair, and legs uncrossed. Rest your forearm on the table with the palm of your hand facing up
  • If blood pressure has to be checked again, wait for 5 minutes before measuring

How To Use a Digital Monitor?

  • Hold the bulb in your right hand, preferably
  • Switch on the power button, and the display symbols appear for a short time, followed by zero. This shows that the monitor is ready
  • Inflate the cuff by pressing the bulb with your right hand. If you have a device with automatic cuff inflation, then press the start button
  • Watch the gauge and continue inflating the cuff until the gauge reads about 30 units (mm Hg) above normal systolic pressure.
  • Sit peacefully and watch the monitor; BP reading will be displayed on the screen
  • Wait for a long beep; this indicates that the reading is complete. Note down the pressures on the display screen
  • The systolic pressure is measured when the force of the blood against the artery walls, as your heart beats, appears on the left. While the diastolic pressure is the blood pressure between heartbeats, on the right side. Pulse rare is also displayed after this reading
  • Let the cuff deflate
  • If you did not get an appropriate reading, then do not inflate the cuff again right away. Wait for a minute before repeating the measurement. Start by rewrapping the cuff
  • Record your blood pressure

Frequently Asked Questions

What Is The Best Way To Check BP at Home?

The best way is to use a validated digital blood pressure monitor with an upper arm cuff. For accuracy:

Sit quietly for 5 minutes before measuring.

Keep your back supported, feet flat on the floor, and arm at heart level.

Place the cuff on a bare upper arm, not over clothing.

Take 2–3 readings a minute apart and note the average.

Is it worth getting a home blood pressure monitor?

Yes. A home BP monitor is very useful, especially if you have hypertension, diabetes, heart disease, or a family history of BP issues. Benefits include:

Early detection of high or low BP.

Tracking the effectiveness of treatment and medication.

Avoiding “white coat hypertension” false high readings due to stress at clinics.

Help doctors adjust treatment based on long-term data.

 How To Use A BP Monitor At Home?

Read instructions carefully.

Use the correct cuff size for your arm.

Sit still, don’t talk or move during measurement.

Measure at the same time daily (morning or evening).

Keep a logbook or app record of readings to share with your doctor.

What Is Healthy Blood Pressure By Age?

General guidelines for adults:

18–39 years: Below 120/80 mmHg

40–59 years: Below 130/80 mmHg

Above 60 years: Below 140/90 mmHg (though some guidelines prefer <130/80 if tolerated)

 Always consult a doctor for individual targets, especially with medical conditions.

What Are The 10 Causes Of High Blood Pressure?

Common causes include:

High salt (sodium) intake

Obesity or being overweight

Lack of physical activity

Smoking

Excess alcohol consumption

Stress and anxiety

Family history/genetics

Kidney disease

Hormonal disorders (thyroid, adrenal issues)

Poor sleep or sleep apnea

Can Lack Of Sleep Cause High Blood Pressure?

Yes. Chronic sleep deprivation (less than 6 hours per night) increases the risk of hypertension. Poor sleep quality disrupts hormonal balance, raises stress hormones, and keeps blood vessels constricted, all of which elevate BP. Conditions like sleep apnea are also strongly linked to high blood pressure.

(This article is reviewed by Kalyani Krishna, Chief Content Editor)

Author Profile

M Sowmya Binu:

With over 15 years of expertise and a Postgraduate degree in Nutrition, M Sowmya Binu is a seasoned professional in the field of nutrition. Specializing in tailoring personalized diet plans, she underscores the significance of a balanced approach to health, emphasizing the integration of medication with dietary intake for holistic wellness. Passionate about equipping individuals with knowledge to make informed decisions, Sowmya adeptly develops insightful content encompassing a wide array of topics including food, nutrition, supplements, and overall health.

References:

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8385573/

Home Blood Pressure Monitoring: Current Status and New Developments

Kazuomi Kario 1,2,✉

https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/hypertensionaha.108.125906