How is daily blood pressure monitored?

The picture below shows a homemade line graph of blood pressure monitoring by an elderly patient, who took and recorded his blood pressure and heart rate almost every hour, which is equivalent to doing a homemade version of ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (everyone does ambulatory blood pressure at half-hour intervals in the hospital). This surprised me very much. With one line graph, the pattern of systolic and diastolic blood pressure and heart rate can be seen at a glance, adjusting medication more efficiently and safely, and accurately. 

Of course, not everyone has to do this. The reference table I have drawn up, taking into account the latest guidelines, expert consensus, and the actual situation of the majority of patients, is as follows.

The table is suitable for the following groups.

Patients with unknown blood pressure, those diagnosed with hypertension but with unstable blood pressure, and those already diagnosed with hypertension and receiving long-term treatment.

How is it measured?

• 1. Take your blood pressure at least five times a day, divided into morning, morning, midday, afternoon, and bedtime.

• 2. record the time and date of measurement, preferably with a note if there are special circumstances.

• 3. it is recommended that blood pressure is measured at a set time each day.

• 4. if time and circumstances permit, measure both sides of the blood pressure, whichever is higher.

• 5. If the difference between the two sides is greater than 20 mmHg, prompt medical attention is needed to alert for diseases such as subclavian artery stenosis and occlusion.

How many days to measure?

It is usually recommended that if there is no significant discomfort, it is best to measure for 7 consecutive days before consultation for patients with initial or suboptimal blood pressure, and then for at least 7 consecutive days after adjustment of medication for home blood pressure, and then twice daily if the blood pressure is stable.