Table 3.

Recommendations for practical application of self‐home blood pressure (BP) monitoring1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7

Device	Automated electronic (oscillometric) upper‐arm cuff device validated according to an established protocol
Cuff size	Bladder size to fit the individual's arm circumference
Conditions	Relaxed and after 5 minutes of sitting rest. Back supported, arm relaxed and supported with middle of upper arm at heart level, legs uncrossed, feet flat on the floor. No talking during measurements.
Monitoring schedule	Seven‐day monitoring before each office visit, with duplicate morning and evening measurements (before drug intake). Not less than 4 days and fewer than 12 readings.
Evaluation	Calculation of average BP of all readings (at least 12 after discarding readings of the first day). Casual BP readings have little clinical relevance.
Interpretation	Home hypertension: ≥135/85 mm Hg; normal home BP: <130/80 mm Hg; home BP 130–135/80–85 mm Hg is borderline.
Long‐term monitoring	One or two duplicate measurements per week. Too frequent monitoring (eg, every day) and self‐modification of treatment on the basis of casual measurements to be avoided.