How To Check Blood Pressure By Hand: Methods And Tips

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How to check blood pressure at home

Medically reviewed by Helen Chen MCMSc, PA-C — Written by Jon Johnson — Updated on July 15, 2025

Measuring blood pressure at home
Automated machines
Checking pressure manually
Using apps
Tips
Results
Contacting a doctor
Summary

An automatic blood pressure machine is the best way to check blood pressure at home. It is possible to check blood pressure manually, but this is more difficult to use at home.

Blood pressure is the term for the amount of force that the blood places on the blood vessels in the body. A blood pressure reading includes two numbers that indicate the pressure inside the arteries as the blood flows through the body.

The upper number, called the systolic pressure, measures the pressure inside the arteries as the heart contracts to pump blood. The lower number, called the diastolic pressure, is the pressure inside the arteries as the heart rests between beats.

While it is important to visit a doctor for regular checkups, a person can also monitor their blood pressure at home.

Read on to learn how to measure blood pressure correctly and how to interpret the results.

Measuring blood pressure at home

person checking blood pressure at home — Onfokus/Getty Images

Doctors use either electronic or mechanical machines to measure blood pressure in a clinic. In some cases, they may recommend monitoring and recording blood pressure at home.

Monitoring blood pressure at home usually requires a machine that insurance may or may not cover. A doctor may recommend monitoring blood pressure at home if a person needs to know their blood pressure at specific times of the day or after taking certain medications.

Accurate blood pressure readings are important, as high blood pressure often causes no symptoms. Some symptoms, such as a headache, may occur if blood pressure reaches or exceeds 180/120 mm Hg. At this point, the person may be experiencing a hypertensive crisis, which is severe hypertension requiring urgent medical care.

It is possible to take blood pressure without using a machine, but it is more difficult. Speak with a doctor for advice on which blood pressure machines they recommend for home use. The doctor can also advise on the proper technique to ensure the most accurate readings.

Terms explained

Hypertensive crisis is a medical emergeny. It happens when blood pressure is suddenly above 180/120 mm Hg. Possible causes include chronic high blood pressure, taking sympathomimetic medications, and forgetting to take prescribed antihypertensive medications.

A person may be expereincing hypertensive crisis and should seek immediate medical help if they expereince symptoms such as:

shortness of breath
dizziness
chest pain
back pain
numbness
weakness
vomiting
confusion
difficulty speaking

Automated blood pressure machines

The easiest and most accurate way to measure blood pressure at home is to buy an automated blood pressure monitor with an upper arm cuff.

The instructions for use may vary among machines, and a person should follow them carefully to ensure proper operation. If the instructions are difficult to understand, a local pharmacy or doctor’s office will be able to show a person how to operate the machine correctly.

Doctors may ask a person to bring their at-home machine to the office during their next visit to compare it with the doctor’s reading and give an idea of accuracy.

Using a high quality machine is important. Inaccurate readings can be misleading if they are too low or cause unnecessary stress if they are too high. If a person is checking their blood pressure at home as part of a treatment plan, inaccurate readings could lead to harmful changes in medications or treatments.

People can buy a blood pressure monitor for home use, but it may be a good idea to ask a doctor which brand they recommend.

Checking blood pressure manually

To check blood pressure without the aid of an automated machine, a person will need several medical items:

a stethoscope
a blood pressure cuff with a squeezable balloon
an aneroid monitor with a numbered dial to read the measurements

A person who wishes to check their blood pressure manually should ensure that they select the correct size of manual cuff to get the most accurate reading.

Make sure to relax for about 5 minutes before checking blood pressure manually. This is important for a more accurate reading.

They can then follow these steps:

Sit in a relaxed position with the arm at rest on a table.
Secure the cuff around the bicep so that it cannot move but is not tight.
Squeeze the balloon to increase the pressure.
Watch the aneroid monitor and increase the pressure until it reaches about 180 mmHg.
After inflating the cuff, place the stethoscope just inside the elbow crease under the cuff.
Slowly deflate the balloon and listen to the sounds, known as Korotkoff sounds, through the stethoscope.
Note the number on the aneroid monitor when the first sound occurs, as this is systolic pressure.
Continue listening until the steady heartbeat sound stops.
At this point, record the number from the aneroid monitor, which is the diastolic pressure.

Doctors often use this type of monitor, as it is more accurate than a digital monitor. However, it can be more difficult for people to use at home.

Using blood pressure apps

Apps and wrist devices are available that claim to measure blood pressure, but experts warn that these are often of poor quality. As a result, the readings may be inaccurate. They are not a reliable way to monitor a person’s health.

However, apps that log blood pressure results may be helpful for people who need to take regular blood pressure tests. Recording a set of readings in these apps may help doctors identify trends in blood pressure and recommend treatments.

Tips for checking blood pressure at home

When checking blood pressure at home, it is important that a person:

places the cuff directly on bare skin on the upper arm
takes a few deep breaths and relaxing for 5 minutes before measuring blood pressure
avoids talking during the test
places the feet flat on the floor and sitting up straight while measuring blood pressure
avoids checking blood pressure in a cold room
supports the arm as close to heart level as possible
measures the blood pressure at a few different times during the day
avoids exercising, smoking, and drinking caffeine or alcohol for 30 minutes before taking a blood pressure reading
empties the bladder before taking a blood pressure test, as a full bladder may give an incorrect blood pressure reading
takes several readings 1 minute apart, as readings can vary

Understanding blood pressure results

Blood pressure readings fall into the following categories:

Blood pressure status	Systolic pressure (mm Hg)	Diastolic pressure (mm Hg)
Normal	less than 120	and	less than 80
Elevated	120 to 129	and	less than 80
Stage 1 high blood pressure (hypertension)	130 to 139	or	80 to 89
Stage 2 high blood pressure	140 or higher	or	90 or higher
Hypertensive crisis (seek immediate medical attention)	higher than 180	and/or	higher than 120

The numbers may change based on various factors, such as:

weight
physical activity levels
stress levels
underlying medical conditions, such as diabetes

Some people’s blood pressure is higher when they are in a healthcare setting rather than going about their daily life. Doctors may refer to this phenomenon as white coat hypertension.

»Learn more:Understanding your reading with a blood pressure chart

When to contact a doctor

Anyone uncertain about their target blood pressure should speak with a doctor for guidance.

They should also do this if several readings show that their blood pressure is higher than usual.

Medical advice is also necessary for people who experience high blood pressure during pregnancy, as some types of hypertension can put both the pregnant person and the fetus at risk.

Anyone who experiences a systolic pressure higher than 180 mm Hg or a diastolic pressure over 120 mm Hg should seek immediate emergency medical care, as this is a sign of a hypertensive crisis.

People should check with a doctor which arm to use to take blood pressure if they have:

lymphedema
muscular weakness, known as paresis, in one arm
paralysis in an arm
a line into their veins, such as a catheter
had a mastectomy on one side
had recent surgical wounds on one side
a dialysis shunt in one arm

These conditions and factors can increase the risk of adverse effects, such as swelling due to lymphedema.

It may be necessary to use the other arm or place the cuff around the calf instead.

Summary

Various blood pressure monitors are available for home use.

The tests that people take at home may not be as accurate as those that the doctor takes, but automated blood pressure monitors for home use can give an idea of whether a person’s blood pressure is within an acceptable range.

It is also possible to take a blood pressure reading manually, but this may not be as accurate when using it at home.

Anyone concerned about their blood pressure readings should seek guidance from a doctor on the best ways to monitor and manage their blood pressure.

Monitoring blood pressure at home can help a person know whether they need to seek medical help for hypertension.

Hypertension
Vascular
Blood / Hematology

How we reviewed this article:

SourcesMedical News Today has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We only use quality, credible sources to ensure content accuracy and integrity. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.

Alley WD, et al. (2023). Hypertensive emergency.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK470371/
Blood pressure measurement. (2024).https://www.eastbasildonpcn.nhs.uk/news/blood-pressure-measurement/
High blood pressure: Causes and risk factors. (2024).https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/high-blood-pressure/causes
Home blood pressure monitoring. (2024).https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/high-blood-pressure/understanding-blood-pressure-readings/monitoring-your-blood-pressure-at-home#.Wrvs-Ihua1s
Rehman S, et al. (2022). Blood pressure measurement.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK482189/
Jamaladin H, et al. (2018). Mobile apps for blood pressure monitoring: Systematic search in app stores and content analysis.https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6262205/
Understanding blood pressure readings. (2024).https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/high-blood-pressure/understanding-blood-pressure-readings

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Medically reviewed by Helen Chen MCMSc, PA-C — Written by Jon Johnson — Updated on July 15, 2025

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Measuring blood pressure at home

Terms explained

Automated blood pressure machines

Checking blood pressure manually

Using blood pressure apps

Tips for checking blood pressure at home

Understanding blood pressure results

When to contact a doctor

Summary

How we reviewed this article:

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