A guide from your kidney care team
Checking Your Blood Pressure at Home
Home readings help us treat your blood pressure the right way. Follow these four simple steps each time you check.
1Get ready
For 30 minutes before you check, avoid these three things. Then use the bathroom and sit quietly for 5 minutes.
☕
No coffee or tea
No caffeine or energy drinks
🚻
Empty your bladder
Use the bathroom first
🪑
Rest 5 minutes
Sit calmly before you start
2Sit the right way
- ACuff on your bare arm — not over clothing. The bottom edge sits just above the bend of your elbow. Use the cuff size that fits your arm.
- BArm resting on the table — supported at the level of your heart.
- CBack against the chair — sit up with your back supported.
- DFeet flat on the floor — don't cross your legs.
3Take 4 readings a day
☀️Morning
Reading 1wait 1 minReading 2
- After using the bathroom
- Before your medications
- Before breakfast
🌙Bedtime
Reading 3wait 1 minReading 4
- Right before you go to sleep
- Same seated position as the morning
📅Do this for at least 3 days — 7 days is best — before your appointment.
4Stay still and quiet
While the cuff is working, sit still and relax. That means:
🤫No talking
📵No phone
📺No TV
✏️ Write down every reading — on paper or in your phone — and bring the numbers to your visit or share them through your patient portal.