Checking at Home Can Improve Blood Pressure

Checking your blood pressure away from clinic can help you improve your blood pressure.

Here's how.  It helps you and your health care team:

·        Find out the things in your daily life that increase or lower your blood pressure

·        See if newly prescribed blood pressure medicines are going to work

·        Use your home results in making decisions about further treatment.  Checking your blood pressure 3 to 4 times a year is not enough information for your provider to know if your blood pressure is too high or too low.

·        Find out if you have “white coat” high blood pressure.  "White coat" blood pressure is when it is high only at the clinic.

·        Become partners in your care.