Blood Pressure Log
A printable blood pressure log with date, time, top and bottom numbers, pulse and notes, and the average worked out.
Details
blood pressure logRed highlights mark what is still blank. Everything stays on this device.
| Name | [name] |
| Log started | [date] |
| Arm used | Left |
| Date | Time | Top (systolic) | Bottom (diastolic) | Pulse | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
What is a Blood Pressure Log?
A blood pressure log is a dated record of the readings you take at home: the top and bottom numbers, your pulse, the time, the arm used and anything that might have affected the result. It shows your doctor or nurse how your blood pressure behaves across ordinary days, not just in the one reading taken at the clinic. Without it, you arrive at the appointment with a vague memory of ‘mostly fine’ and nothing they can use.
People keep one when a doctor or nurse asks them to monitor at home: after a high reading at the clinic, when starting or changing blood pressure medicine, during pregnancy, or alongside a long-term condition such as kidney disease or diabetes. Family members keep one for a parent they care for. The log is only as useful as it is consistent — the same arm, the same times, the same routine — because the person reading it is looking for patterns rather than single numbers.
Devices and guidance differ by country. In the US, check that your monitor appears on the US Blood Pressure Validated Device Listing at validatebp.org; in the UK, the British and Irish Hypertension Society publishes a list of validated monitors. Elsewhere, ask your pharmacist or clinic which list to use. The American Heart Association and the NHS both publish home monitoring guides, but your own clinician's instructions come first: how many days to measure, at what times, and what to do with the results depend on your situation and their practice.
A log does not diagnose anything, and this guide does not tell you what your numbers mean. Your doctor or nurse interprets the readings, sets your target and decides on treatment; never change or stop a medicine because of what the log shows without speaking to them first. Nor is the log an emergency tool. A severely raised reading together with symptoms such as chest pain, shortness of breath, weakness or changes in vision needs emergency care — call 911 or your local emergency number; do not wait for your next appointment.
What to put in a Blood Pressure Log
These are the details this template asks for. Anything left blank is marked in red on the preview so you can see what is still missing.
| Field | What goes in it |
|---|---|
| Name | For example: Robert Hayes |
| Log started | Free text |
| Arm used | Free text |
| Target your doctor gave you optional | Only what your doctor or nurse has told you — leave blank if they have not |
| Blood pressure medicine and dose optional | One per line, as your prescription says |
| Readings so far optional | One per line: Date | Time | Top number | Bottom number | Pulse | Notes |
| Blank rows to add | Free text |
How to write a Blood Pressure Log
Fill in the details at the top
Write your name, the date you started, each blood pressure medicine you take with its dose, and the target your doctor or nurse gave you, in their words. If you have not been given a target, leave the line blank and ask at your next appointment rather than borrowing a number from the internet. Note which arm you use, so every reading comes from the same side.
Use a validated monitor that fits
Use an upper-arm monitor that appears on a validated device list — validatebp.org in the US, the British and Irish Hypertension Society list in the UK. Check that the cuff is the right size for your arm, using the monitor's instructions, because a cuff that is too small or too large gives misleading readings. Take the monitor to an appointment once, so a nurse can check your technique.
Prepare the same way every time
Avoid caffeine, exercise and smoking for 30 minutes beforehand. Sit quietly for five minutes with your back supported, feet flat on the floor and your arm resting on a table at heart level, with the cuff on bare skin rather than over a sleeve. Stay still and don't talk while it measures. Each of these things moves the numbers, so the log only shows patterns if the routine stays the same.
Take two readings and record both
Take two readings a minute apart and write both down: the top number, the bottom number and the pulse, with the date and time. Record every reading, including ones that look wrong or worrying; leaving out an odd high or low result makes the log look tidier and less useful. Measure at the same times each day, following the schedule your doctor or nurse asked for.
Add notes and bring it along
Use the notes column for anything that might explain a reading: a missed or late dose, a headache, pain, poor sleep, a stressful day, a cold remedy or other new medicine. An average is a useful summary, but your clinician may want the individual readings too, so keep every page. Bring the log, or a clear photo of it, to each appointment.
Common mistakes
- Measuring straight after coffee, a cigarette, a workout or a rushed walk from the car produces readings that reflect the last half hour rather than your usual blood pressure.
- Leaving out readings that seem too high or too low hides exactly the information your doctor or nurse needs to see.
- Switching arms, monitors or times of day between readings makes the log impossible to compare from one day to the next.
- Changing or skipping a medicine because a few readings looked good or bad, without speaking to your clinician, can be dangerous.
- Writing down a severely raised reading and waiting for the next appointment when you also have chest pain, breathlessness, weakness or vision changes delays emergency care you need.
Frequently asked questions
How do I keep a blood pressure log?
Use a validated upper-arm monitor, prepare the same way each time, and take two readings a minute apart. Write down the date, time, top number, bottom number and pulse for each, with a note on anything that might have affected it. Measure at the same times each day, for as long as your doctor or nurse asks, and bring the log or a photo of it to your appointment.
When is the best time to take my blood pressure at home?
At the same times each day, so readings can be compared. Your doctor or nurse will say which times they want, and many ask for a morning and an evening set. Avoid caffeine, exercise and smoking for 30 minutes before, and sit quietly for five minutes first. Ask whether to measure before or after taking your medicine, and note the time of each dose in the log.
How many readings should I take?
Take two readings, a minute apart, each time you measure, and record both rather than only the lower one. How many times a day, and for how many days, depends on why you are monitoring, so follow the schedule your doctor or nurse gives you. If you have not been given one, ask; a log kept to their schedule is far easier for them to use.
Which arm should I use to take my blood pressure?
Use the arm your doctor or nurse tells you to — they may check both arms at an appointment and choose one — and then use that arm every time. Readings from the two arms can differ, so switching makes the log hard to compare. Write which arm at the top of the log, and when measuring, rest that arm on a table at heart level with the cuff on bare skin.
What should I write down with each reading?
The date and time, the top (systolic) and bottom (diastolic) numbers, and your pulse. Add a short note for anything that could affect the result: a missed or late dose, pain, stress, poor sleep, illness or a new medicine. Record every reading, including unusual ones. If a severely raised reading comes with symptoms such as chest pain, breathlessness, weakness or vision changes, get emergency care first.
This page explains general practice and is not legal advice. Requirements differ between countries and, in some cases, between states — check what applies where the document will be used.