How Often Should I Monitor My Blood Pressure?

So How Often Should you get your Blood Pressure Monitored?

Blood pressure is one of the most important indicators of your heart and circulatory health. It's also one of the easiest to monitor — but how often should you actually be checking it? This is a question I’m regularly asked in clinic, and the answer varies depending on your age, overall health, and any risk factors for cardiovascular disease.

However, I’ll explain when and how often to monitor your blood pressure, what’s considered normal, and how to manage high readings effectively.

What Is Blood Pressure and Why Does It Matter?

Blood pressure is the force your blood exerts on the walls of your arteries as your heart pumps it around your body. It's measured in millimetres of mercury (mmHg) and recorded as two numbers:

• Systolic pressure: the pressure when your heart beats

• Diastolic pressure: the pressure when your heart rests between beats

For example, a reading of 120/80 mmHg is considered normal for most adults.

When blood pressure is too high — known as hypertension — it puts extra strain on your heart, arteries, brain and kidneys. Over time, this can increase the risk of serious health issues, including:

• Heart attack

• Stroke

• Heart failure

• Kidney disease

• Vascular dementia

Monitoring your blood pressure helps detect problems early — often before symptoms develop — and allows for timely lifestyle changes or treatment if needed.

How Often Should I Monitor My Blood Pressure?

1. If You’re Generally Healthy (Low Risk)

If you’re under 40, don’t smoke, have no underlying conditions, and have previously had normal readings, it’s usually fine to check your blood pressure every 3–5 years.

From the age of 40, the NHS recommends having your blood pressure checked at least once every 5 years — or more frequently if your reading is close to the upper limit of normal.

You can check your blood pressure at your GP surgery, some pharmacies, or by using a validated home monitor. If you’ve never had it measured, it’s a good idea to start — even if you feel well.

2. If You Have High-Normal or Borderline Readings

If your blood pressure has previously been high-normal (e.g. 130/85 to 139/89 mmHg), you may be advised to monitor it once or twice a year.

People with borderline readings may be on the cusp of developing hypertension, and monitoring more often can help prevent progression. Your GP might suggest keeping a record of home readings to track trends over time.

3. If You’ve Been Diagnosed with Hypertension

If you’ve been diagnosed with high blood pressure, regular monitoring is key to managing your condition and avoiding complications.

Your doctor may recommend:

• Daily readings when medication is first started or adjusted

• Weekly or fortnightly checks once your blood pressure is stable

• Keeping a log of home readings to bring to your appointments

Self-monitoring helps identify whether treatment is working and can give early warning signs if blood pressure starts to rise again.

4. If You Have Additional Risk Factors

You should check your blood pressure more frequently (e.g. every 3–6 months) if you have other risk factors for cardiovascular disease, such as:

• Diabetes

• Chronic kidney disease

• Family history of heart disease

• Overweight or obesity

• Smoking

• Sedentary lifestyle

Regular checks are especially important if you’re over 65, as the risk of high blood pressure and related complications increases with age.

What Is Considered a Normal Blood Pressure Reading?

According to NHS guidelines, a normal reading is:

• Below 140/90 mmHg in a clinical setting

• Below 135/85 mmHg if measuring at home

Anything higher may indicate high blood pressure, especially if confirmed over several readings.

Very low blood pressure (e.g. below 90/60 mmHg) can also cause problems such as dizziness, fainting, or fatigue. If you're consistently getting low readings, speak to your GP.

How to Measure Your Blood Pressure at Home

Home monitoring is convenient, affordable and often more accurate than clinic readings — particularly if you get white coat syndrome, where your blood pressure spikes in medical settings.

To get the most accurate results:

• Use a clinically validated upper-arm monitor

• Sit quietly for 5 minutes before checking

• Take 2–3 readings, 1–2 minutes apart, and record the average

• Check at the same time each day

• Avoid caffeine, smoking or exercise 30 minutes beforehand

We often advise patients to do a 7-day home blood pressure diary before starting or adjusting medication. At Heartsure, we provide guidance on how to take accurate readings and review results with you during appointments.

Managing High Blood Pressure

If your readings are consistently high, the first step is to confirm the diagnosis with your GP or cardiologist. Depending on the severity, treatment might include:

Lifestyle changes:

• Reducing salt intake

• Eating a heart-healthy diet (e.g. DASH or Mediterranean)

• Regular exercise

• Cutting down on alcohol

• Stopping smoking

• Losing excess weight

Medication:

If lifestyle changes alone aren’t enough, your doctor may prescribe blood pressure-lowering medications such as ACE inhibitors, calcium channel blockers, or diuretics.

Ongoing monitoring helps track how well these treatments are working and whether any adjustments are needed.

Why It Matters

High blood pressure rarely causes symptoms, which is why it’s often called the "silent killer". Left untreated, it can silently damage the arteries and organs over years.

By monitoring your blood pressure regularly, you can:

• Spot early signs of hypertension

• Prevent complications like stroke or heart failure

• Stay in control of your health

• Respond quickly if medication needs to be changed

At Heartsure, we offer complete cardiovascular assessments — including blood pressure monitoring, ECG, and echocardiograms — all from our Surrey-based clinic. If you’re concerned about your blood pressure or heart health in general, contact us here to book a consultation with one of our specialists.

Final Thoughts

So, how often should you monitor your blood pressure? The answer depends on your age, risk level, and health status. For some, once every few years is enough — but for others, regular tracking at home is essential.

Taking control of your blood pressure is one of the simplest yet most powerful ways to protect your heart. Whether you’re monitoring from home or checking in with your GP or cardiologist, the key is consistency and knowing what your numbers mean.