How to log blood pressure readings. This is step three if you want to get better blood pressure control or if you are looking to get off blood pressure medication. Now, truth be told, most people will be on blood pressure medication their lifetime because usually there is not an identifiable cause for high blood pressure.
That being said, some people are able to get off of blood pressure medication with lots of work on the underlying causes of their hypertension. 
For example, if your blood pressure is high because you are overweight and eat a high salt diet. Losing a significant amount of weight, and eating the right amount of salt could reduce your blood pressure significantly.
I will cover the following in this post:
1) Why monitoring blood pressure is important?
2) What does a blood pressure log look like?
3) The best way to log blood pressure readings?
4) How to make a blood pressure log?
Let’s get to it!
High blood pressure wasn’t given the nickname “the silent killer” for nothing. Uncontrolled blood pressure is responsible for more deaths than any other modifiable risk factor. You got to take action when your blood pressure is uncontrolled to prevent problems.
When I say modifiable risk factors, I just mean things that increase your chances of having a heart attack or heart failure, stroke, kidney disease, blindness, and other problems. These things that I’m talking about are things like smoking, diabetes, not getting enough exercise, obesity, and high cholesterol.
When your blood pressure is consistently high, we say it’s uncontrolled. It is crucial to know if your blood pressure is uncontrolled so you can get it controlled. How will you know if your blood pressure is uncontrolled if you don’t have a record to share with your provider?
Medical experts at the American Heart Association and the research experts who wrote the current hypertension clinical guidelines recommend that you keep a blood pressure log to help your doctor manage your blood pressure.
Why Logging Blood Pressure Readings is important?
So why should you monitor your blood pressure at home? After all, your doctor or nurse practitioner is monitoring your blood pressure in the doctor’s office, right? Well, that’s right, but routinely measuring your blood pressure accurately at home is essential to know if you have high blood pressure.
Logging your blood pressure readings at home can help your health care provider figure out your chances of getting heart disease based on your blood pressure. Research has shown that home blood pressure monitoring is the most accurate reading for most people. That is, if you are doing it right, you know, using the right technique.
Monitoring your blood pressure at home helps your doctor or nurse practitioner better manage your blood pressure. This could save you from a stroke, heart attack or heart failure, kidney failure, and other problems that uncontrolled blood pressure could cause.
Surprisingly, only about half of people diagnosed with high blood pressure have good blood pressure control. Bad blood pressure control is associated with cardiovascular disease. No wonder heart disease remains the number one killer in America and elsewhere. I am telling you all of this because I want to keep you away from any of these things. So, it is important to monitor your blood pressure at home because “what gets measured get’s managed”.
What does a blood pressure log look like?
It depends. You could keep your log on a sheet of paper, in a notebook, in a diary, on a calendar, on your computer in a word document, or wherever. It does not really matter how you keep your log, it is just important to keep a log. The most important things to put on your log are the date, time, your blood pressure top number and bottom number, and your heart rate.
If you are using a notebook, put the date first and then the time followed by the blood pressure and heart rate. Like this: 6/17/2021 12:00 pm 128/79 HR 74 12:01 pm 126/76 HR 74 12:02 PM 126/75 HR 74
Or you could writhe out the month and use military time like this:
June 17, 2021 1200 128/79 74 1201 126/76 74 1202 126/75 74
June 18, 2021 1200 125/79 71 1201 128/79 70 1202 120/75 70
Skip a line in between dates to keep your readings neat.
You could also add some context to your readings on the side of your numbers:
June 17, 2021 1200 128/79 74 1201 126/76 74 1202 126/75 74 before meds
June 18, 2021 1200 125/79 71 1201 128/79 70 1202 120/75 70 felt good
The best way to log blood pressure readings?
Honestly, the best way to log your blood pressure is the method that you use. So, it depends on what’s easy for you to do and which method your doctor or nurse practitioner prefers. However, if you or your health care provider do not have a preference, and you are computer savvy, use an app. This is the best way I found to do it.
I use BP Monitor, but any app would do. I recommend the free apps if advertisements do not bother you. If you hate ads with a passion, download the paid version of the BP monitor app from the App Store. That is, if you have an iPhone, and from wherever Android users get their apps.
Try not to keep your blood pressure on a single piece of paper unless you have a folder to clamp it in. That way, you can keep your blood pressure readings organized.
How to make a blood pressure log?
You can make a blood pressure log if you prefer to use a paper version of a log. The cheapest way to do this is to get a pack of paper and a 25 cent folder or go to the Dollar Store and get a pocket calendar. The pocket calendar makes it easy to log your blood pressure readings in the data blocks. One less thing you would have to do, the date is provided.
What Actions Will Your Doctor Take Using Your Blood Pressure Log?
Your doctor or health care professional will likely use the current guidelines to manage your elevated blood pressures. It is important to have your blood pressure numbers on your log to get the best action that is most appropriate for you. If you don’t have a log from home, you might get the wrong treatment.
If your blood pressure is elevated (top number 120-129 and bottom number 79 or less) use diet and exercise to get it under control using your blood pressure log. Make an appointment to see your health care provider in three to six months for medical advice.
If your blood pressure is slightly elevated (top number 130-139 and bottom number 80-89) and your 10-year CVR score is less than 10 and you don’t have high blood sugar, or kidney disease, your chances are low for problems. Use a plant-based diet and at least 30 minutes of exercise every day to get it under control using your blood pressure log. Schedule a visit with your doctor in 3-6 months.
If your blood pressure is slightly elevated (top number 130-139 and bottom number 80-89) and your 10-year CVR score is 10 or more and you DO have high blood sugar, or kidney disease, your chances are HIGH for problems. You will likely need medication treatment, which is recommended by the Hypertension guidelines.
But it is up to your doctor to determine if to place you on medication. Use a plant-based diet and at least 30 minutes of exercise every day to get it under control using your blood pressure log. See your doctor every 4 weeks for medication adjustments until your home blood pressure is controlled. If started on a diuretic or ACE or ARB get your labs checked for potassium, sodium, kidney function.
If your blood pressure is moderately severe (top number 140-150 and bottom number 90-100) and your 10-year CVR score is 10 or more and you DO have high blood sugar, or kidney disease, your chances are very HIGH for problems. You will likely need 2 different classes of blood pressure medications, unless you are elderly, which is recommended by the Hypertension guidelines. Be sure to follow up with your doctor every 4 weeks until your blood pressure is controlled at home.
Conclusion
Basically, you can live a healthier, longer life if you take action when your blood pressure is uncontrolled. Make sure you show up at your visit with your blood pressure log and share your blood pressure log with your health care provider. Otherwise, you are wasting your time going to your office visit, and you won’t get the best treatment to effectively control your blood pressure.
