Heart Health
Ask the doctor: When is the best time of day to check blood pressure at home?
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Q. I'd like to start monitoring my blood pressure at home, but I'm not sure when I'm supposed to do it. Is there one particular time of day that's best?
A. The best home blood pressure machines have a cuff around the upper arm, and they automatically inflate the cuff and measure the pressure. The cost of these small machines has dropped, they are easy to use, and they're accurate. To help your doctor determine if you have high blood pressure, I recommend making two measurements per day, one in the morning and one in the evening, for a week. I recommend that most people who have high blood pressure (like me) take their pressure at the end of the work day, or at a time of day when they feel most stressed (like I do). These machines are a great aid in helping you and your doctor control your blood pressure.?
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