How to calibrate blood pressure machine?

• Check to be sure your device is correct.
• At the beginning, measure your blood pressure at least twice daily.
• Don't measure your blood pressure right after you wake up.
• Avoid food, caffeine, tobacco and alcohol for 30 minutes before taking a reading.

To make sure you get reliable readings, it’s important to use a monitor that’s suitable for you and that you know how to use it.

Here we explain how home monitoring can be helpful and how to choose a monitor.

We have also created an online resource hub to help you manage and measure your blood pressure at home.

Vist the hub to watch our 'how to measure your blood pressure at home' video, read our tips for how to use your home monitor, how to get the most from your monitor and download our home blood pressure monitoring resources.

The stress of having your blood pressure measured in clinic can make your blood pressure go up temporarily, so your reading is higher than it should be – this is known as the white coat effect or white coat syndrome.

Coupled with the fact you can only check your blood pressure in a clinic every so often, keeping an eye on your numbers at home can give you and your doctor or nurse a more complete picture of what your blood pressure is like from day to day, and how well your treatments or lifestyle changes are working.

Many people also find that monitoring their blood pressure at home helps them feel more in control, so since 2001, NICE (National Institute of Health and Care Excellence) have recommended GPs offer home blood pressure monitoring.

If you monitor your blood pressure at home, keep going as normal, whether that’s once a week or once a month, for example. There is no need to check your blood pressure more often unless your doctor or another health professional has advised you to do so.

If you notice a consistent rise in your blood pressure, contact your GP or practice nurse by phone and they will advise you if you need an appointment. Don’t worry about one-off high readings, it’s normal for your numbers to vary.

If you are looking to buy a home monitor, please see our advice below on how to choose one. You can also read the reasons why home monitoring can be helpful and if it’s right for you in this section, and how and when to measure your blood pressure.

Feel free to contact our blood pressure helpline by phone on 020 7882 6218 or by email at help@bloodpressureuk.org with questions about home monitoring, your blood pressure and heart health.

While you are at home, if you notice unusual symptoms that you are concerned about do contact your doctor by phone or online, or another NHS service. Always call 999 in an emergency, for example if you think you are having a heart attack or stroke – even if you’re not sure. The NHS would much rather you seek help than go without treatment you need. See the signs of a heart attack and signs of stroke from the NHS.

Make sure you keep taking your blood pressure medicines as prescribed. If you need any advice, pharmacies are open and will be able to support you.

Read more about coronavirus if you have high blood pressure.

As viruses can live for some time on plastics and fabrics, you'll need to keep your monitor clean if you lend it to a friend. There is no fixed protocol available, so we've developed these guidelines to help you keep your monitor clean and safe if you are lending it to a friend:

Measuring your blood pressure with a home blood pressure monitor can be very useful, but it’s not for everyone. Some people become more anxious when they start measuring at home and end up taking readings too often, this can even temporarily raise your blood pressure.

In our 2016 survey of home monitoring, nine out of 10 (87%) said home monitoring is helpful, reassuring or empowering, while 13% found it caused anxiety.

Before you decide to try monitoring your blood pressure at home, ask yourself: will using a home blood pressure monitor make me feel more relaxed or more worried?

Some health problems may also mean that home monitoring isn’t suitable for you, for example conditions that affect your pulse such as atrial fibrillation. There is also little known about the benefits of home monitoring during pregnancy and for people with vascular problems (conditions which affect the blood vessels). Your doctor will be able to advise you on whether home monitoring is suitable for you.

If you decide to measure your blood pressure at home, you might be given a monitor by the hospital or GP surgery, but you will probably need to buy a home monitor.

There are a wide range of home blood pressure monitors available, which can seem confusing. The most important thing is to make sure it gives you accurate results and is easy to use.

Whatever monitor you choose, make sure that it is:

To make sure you get reliable readings, it’s important to use a monitor that’s suitable for you and that you know how to use it.

Here we explain how home monitoring can be helpful and how to choose a monitor.

We have also created an online resource hub to help you manage and measure your blood pressure at home.

Vist the hub to watch our 'how to measure your blood pressure at home' video, read our tips for how to use your home monitor, how to get the most from your monitor and download our home blood pressure monitoring resources.

The stress of having your blood pressure measured in clinic can make your blood pressure go up temporarily, so your reading is higher than it should be – this is known as the white coat effect or white coat syndrome.

Coupled with the fact you can only check your blood pressure in a clinic every so often, keeping an eye on your numbers at home can give you and your doctor or nurse a more complete picture of what your blood pressure is like from day to day, and how well your treatments or lifestyle changes are working.

Many people also find that monitoring their blood pressure at home helps them feel more in control, so since 2001, NICE (National Institute of Health and Care Excellence) have recommended GPs offer home blood pressure monitoring.

If you monitor your blood pressure at home, keep going as normal, whether that’s once a week or once a month, for example. There is no need to check your blood pressure more often unless your doctor or another health professional has advised you to do so.

If you notice a consistent rise in your blood pressure, contact your GP or practice nurse by phone and they will advise you if you need an appointment. Don’t worry about one-off high readings, it’s normal for your numbers to vary.

If you are looking to buy a home monitor, please see our advice below on how to choose one. You can also read the reasons why home monitoring can be helpful and if it’s right for you in this section, and how and when to measure your blood pressure.

Feel free to contact our blood pressure helpline by phone on 020 7882 6218 or by email at help@bloodpressureuk.org with questions about home monitoring, your blood pressure and heart health.

While you are at home, if you notice unusual symptoms that you are concerned about do contact your doctor by phone or online, or another NHS service. Always call 999 in an emergency, for example if you think you are having a heart attack or stroke – even if you’re not sure. The NHS would much rather you seek help than go without treatment you need. See the signs of a heart attack and signs of stroke from the NHS.

Make sure you keep taking your blood pressure medicines as prescribed. If you need any advice, pharmacies are open and will be able to support you.

Read more about coronavirus if you have high blood pressure.

As viruses can live for some time on plastics and fabrics, you'll need to keep your monitor clean if you lend it to a friend. There is no fixed protocol available, so we've developed these guidelines to help you keep your monitor clean and safe if you are lending it to a friend:

Measuring your blood pressure with a home blood pressure monitor can be very useful, but it’s not for everyone. Some people become more anxious when they start measuring at home and end up taking readings too often, this can even temporarily raise your blood pressure.

In our 2016 survey of home monitoring, nine out of 10 (87%) said home monitoring is helpful, reassuring or empowering, while 13% found it caused anxiety.

Before you decide to try monitoring your blood pressure at home, ask yourself: will using a home blood pressure monitor make me feel more relaxed or more worried?

Some health problems may also mean that home monitoring isn’t suitable for you, for example conditions that affect your pulse such as atrial fibrillation. There is also little known about the benefits of home monitoring during pregnancy and for people with vascular problems (conditions which affect the blood vessels). Your doctor will be able to advise you on whether home monitoring is suitable for you.

If you decide to measure your blood pressure at home, you might be given a monitor by the hospital or GP surgery, but you will probably need to buy a home monitor.

There are a wide range of home blood pressure monitors available, which can seem confusing. The most important thing is to make sure it gives you accurate results and is easy to use.