Monitor your blood pressure safely at home
High blood pressure, also called hypertension, often has no symptoms. As a result, many people feel well even when their readings are too high. However, regular home monitoring helps identify problems early and reduces your risk of heart disease and stroke.
Home monitoring also provides a clearer picture of your blood pressure over time. This helps your GP or nurse make informed decisions about your care.
In the below video a local Nurse Practitioner discusses the importance of home monitoring and demonstrates accurate reading techniques.
The BP@Home programme and how it works
BP@Home is a local NHS programme that helps people monitor and manage their blood pressure safely at home.
If your GP or nurse believes home monitoring would benefit you, they will advise you to monitor your blood pressure using an at home blood pressure monitor. You may be able to check your blood pressure using other services.
They will explain:
- How to take accurate readings
- How often to check your blood pressure
- How to record your results
- How to submit readings to your GP practice
- When to seek medical advice
Many GP practices use secure online systems for submitting readings. Alternatively, your practice may ask you to share results during appointments or over the phone. Your practice will explain what works best locally.
Who BP@Home supports
BP@Home may be suitable if you:
- Have been diagnosed with high blood pressure
- Are being assessed for possible hypertension
- Take blood pressure medication and need monitoring
Your GP or practice nurse will discuss whether home monitoring is appropriate for you.
Benefits of monitoring your blood pressure at home
Monitoring your blood pressure at home provides several important benefits.
For example, it can help you:
- Understand your blood pressure patterns over time
- Reduce anxiety-related high readings seen in clinical settings
- Identify rising readings earlier
- Support medication adjustments
- Improve long-term blood pressure control
Regular monitoring also helps your healthcare team assess how well your treatment is working. Over time, this improves blood pressure control and reduces your risk of complications.
What is a healthy blood pressure reading?
A healthy blood pressure reading for most people is usually between 90/60 and 120/80 mmHg.
For people over the age of 80, the ideal blood pressure is under 150/90 mmHg (or 145/85 at home).
High blood pressure is typically 140/90 mmHg or higher, although your healthcare professional will explain what your reading means for you.
Your GP or nurse will explain your individual target range and what your readings mean. You can also check what your blood pressure reading means using the NHS blood pressure reading tool.
When to seek medical advice
Contact your GP practice if:
- Your readings are consistently high
- Your readings are higher than your agreed target
Call 999 immediately if you or someone else experiences symptoms such as:
- Chest pain
- Severe shortness of breath
- Sudden weakness or numbness
- Confusion
- Blurry vision
- Difficulty speaking
- Facial drooping
These symptoms may indicate a heart attack or stroke, so urgent treatment is essential.