Blood Pressure Testing — Home Monitors UK
How to test your blood pressure accurately at home, what UK guidance recommends, and how to choose a monitor.
Arm cuff vs wrist monitor
UK guidance from NICE and the British and Irish Hypertension Society recommends upper-arm cuff monitors for home use. Wrist monitors are easier to use but more sensitive to arm position, generally less accurate. Both must be clinically validated (look for the BIHS or ESH/AAMI validation logo).
How to test accurately
Rest for at least 5 minutes before measuring. Sit with your back supported, feet flat on the floor, arm at heart level on a table. Take two readings, one minute apart; average them. Test at the same time each day. Avoid caffeine and exercise for 30 minutes before.
What the numbers mean
Normal: under 120/80 mmHg. Elevated: 120-129/<80. Stage 1 hypertension: 130-139/80-89. Stage 2: 140+/90+. UK NHS hypertension threshold is 140/90 in clinic, 135/85 at home (home readings are usually 5/5 lower). Consult your GP for any reading consistently in stage 1 or above.