Practical examples of how to record blood pressure readings at home

Real-life examples of how to record blood pressure readings

Let’s start where most people actually need help: seeing what a good record looks like in real life. You don’t need fancy tools. You just need a consistent way to write things down so your numbers tell a story instead of sitting there as random data.

Here’s a simple paper-style entry that many doctors love. This is one of the best examples of how to record blood pressure readings in a way that’s easy to review at appointments:

Date: 03/04/2025
Time: 7:15 AM
Reading: 128/78 mmHg
Heart rate (pulse): 72 bpm
Arm/position: Left arm, sitting, feet flat on floor
Before meds or coffee: Before morning medication and coffee
Notes: Slept well, mild stress about work presentation

That single entry already gives your healthcare provider a lot to work with. It shows the numbers, the context, and a quick note about your day. When you repeat this style of entry over time, you build a clear picture of how your blood pressure behaves.

Daily log examples of how to record blood pressure readings

Most guidelines recommend taking at least two readings, one minute apart, and recording both. Here’s an example of how you might record your blood pressure readings across one day on a simple log.

Imagine this written in a notebook, a printable log, or a spreadsheet:

Date: 03/04/2025 (Tuesday)

Morning readings (before breakfast and meds)

• 7:10 AM – 1st reading: 132/82 mmHg, pulse 74, left arm, sitting
• 7:12 AM – 2nd reading: 128/78 mmHg, pulse 72, left arm, sitting
  Average AM: 130/80 mmHg
  Notes: Woke up at 6:30 AM, no headache, slept 7 hours

Evening readings (before dinner, no caffeine for 3 hours)

• 6:20 PM – 1st reading: 138/86 mmHg, pulse 80, left arm, sitting
• 6:22 PM – 2nd reading: 134/84 mmHg, pulse 78, left arm, sitting
  Average PM: 136/85 mmHg
  Notes: Stressful day at work, light exercise at 5 PM

This is one of the best examples of examples of how to record blood pressure readings in a way that matches what many clinics and organizations (like the American Heart Association) recommend: two readings, averaged, with context. You’re not just recording numbers; you’re recording what was happening around those numbers.

For reference on how professionals interpret these readings, you can compare your log with information from the American Heart Association or the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI).

Weekly examples of how to record blood pressure readings in a table-style log

If your doctor wants a longer view, a weekly log is incredibly helpful. Here’s an example of how to record blood pressure readings over seven days in a simple table format you could recreate in a spreadsheet or notebook.

Example of a 7-day home blood pressure log

Week of 03/03/2025 – 03/09/2025

• Monday
  AM avg: 128/79 mmHg (two readings)
  PM avg: 135/83 mmHg (two readings)
  Notes: Normal workday, 20-minute walk after dinner

• Tuesday
  AM avg: 130/80 mmHg
  PM avg: 136/85 mmHg
  Notes: Higher stress at work, mild headache in afternoon

• Wednesday
  AM avg: 126/78 mmHg
  PM avg: 132/82 mmHg
  Notes: Worked from home, low stress, slept 8 hours

• Thursday
  AM avg: 129/81 mmHg
  PM avg: 138/88 mmHg
  Notes: Ate salty takeout for lunch, felt bloated in evening

• Friday
  AM avg: 131/82 mmHg
  PM avg: 140/90 mmHg
  Notes: Very stressful day, no exercise, 2 cups of coffee

• Saturday
  AM avg: 124/77 mmHg
  PM avg: 130/80 mmHg
  Notes: Relaxed day, long walk in the park

• Sunday
  AM avg: 122/76 mmHg
  PM avg: 128/79 mmHg
  Notes: Rest day, cooked at home, no alcohol

This weekly view is one of the best examples of how to record blood pressure readings when you want to see patterns: maybe your numbers creep up on workdays and settle on weekends, or spike after salty meals. Your doctor can glance at this and immediately spot trends.

For more guidance on home monitoring, the Mayo Clinic has a helpful overview on home blood pressure monitoring.

Examples include paper logs, phone notes, and digital apps

There is no single “right” format. The best examples of how to record blood pressure readings are the ones you will actually use consistently. Here are several real-world approaches.

Example of a simple paper notebook entry

This style works well if you like pen and paper and want something you can bring to appointments.

Date: 03/05/2025
AM: 7:00 AM – 124/76, pulse 70 (before meds, left arm, sitting)
PM: 7:30 PM – 132/82, pulse 74 (before bed, left arm, sitting)
Notes: 30-minute walk at lunch, 1 glass of wine with dinner

You can dedicate one page per week and keep each day on its own line. Many clinics still say this is one of the best examples of an easy, reliable method.

Example of using your phone’s Notes app

If you always have your phone nearby, this can be faster than hunting for a pen.

BP Log – March 2025
3/3 – 6:45 AM: 130/82, pulse 72 (before meds); 8:00 PM: 138/86, pulse 78 (after long day, stressed)
3/4 – 7:10 AM: 128/78, pulse 70; 7:45 PM: 136/84, pulse 76 (light exercise at 6 PM)
3/5 – 6:55 AM: 126/80, pulse 71; 8:10 PM: 134/82, pulse 75

You can later copy this into a spreadsheet or patient portal if your doctor prefers a different format.

Example of a spreadsheet-style log

Spreadsheets are great if you like data, graphs, or sharing files by email.

Imagine columns labeled: Date | Time | Systolic | Diastolic | Pulse | Arm | Position | Before/After Meds | Notes.

A row might look like this:

03/06/2025 | 7:05 AM | 129 | 79 | 72 | Left | Sitting | Before meds | Slept 6 hours, felt tired

Then another row for the second reading a minute later. Over time, you can sort, average, or graph your readings. This is one of the best examples of how to record blood pressure readings if you like to show trends visually.

Example of using a blood pressure app with sync

Many newer monitors (2024–2025) connect to smartphone apps via Bluetooth. The app often records readings automatically, including date and time. Your job is to add context with notes.

A typical entry in an app might look like:

03/07/2025 – 6:50 AM – 126/78, pulse 69 – Tag: “Morning” – Note: “Before meds, no caffeine yet"
03/07/2025 – 7:30 PM – 134/82, pulse 73 – Tag: “Evening” – Note: “After light jog, mild knee pain”

These digital examples of how to record blood pressure readings are especially helpful if you share data through a patient portal or telehealth visit.

Examples of how to record blood pressure readings in special situations

Life isn’t always calm and predictable, and your log shouldn’t pretend it is. Here are real examples of how to record blood pressure readings when something unusual is going on.

When you feel symptoms (dizziness, headache, chest discomfort)

Date: 03/08/2025
Time: 3:15 PM
Reading: 162/98 mmHg, pulse 88
Arm/position: Right arm, sitting
Symptoms: Strong headache, lightheaded, slight nausea
Action: Sat quietly, repeated reading at 3:25 PM: 158/96 mmHg
Notes: Called clinic nurse line for advice

This is a powerful example of how to record blood pressure readings when you might need medical help. You’re documenting not just the numbers, but how you felt and what you did. The CDC’s high blood pressure page has more information on when to seek urgent care.

When starting or changing medication

Date: 03/10/2025
Medication change: Started lisinopril 10 mg in the morning (per Dr. Smith)
AM reading: 7:30 AM – 150/92, pulse 82 (before first dose)
PM reading: 7:45 PM – 142/88, pulse 78
Notes: Mild dry cough in evening; no dizziness

Over the next week, you’d continue similar entries and maybe add a short note each day: “Day 3 on new med” or “Day 7 – cough improving.” These are real examples of how to record blood pressure readings around medication changes so your provider can see how your body responds.

Before and after exercise

Date: 03/12/2025
Before walk: 5:15 PM – 136/84, pulse 76 (resting)
After 30-minute brisk walk: 5:50 PM – 142/86, pulse 96
Notes: Felt fine, no chest pain, breathing normal

You don’t need to do this every day, but a few examples like this can help your doctor understand how safe exercise feels for you.

Best examples of how to record blood pressure readings that doctors actually use

If you’re wondering what your provider truly wants to see, think about three things: consistency, context, and clarity. Here are some of the best examples of how to record blood pressure readings that typically make doctors very happy.

Consistent timing
Many clinics recommend taking readings at the same times each day, often morning and evening, for at least a week before a visit. Your log might show:

“AM readings between 6:30–7:30 AM before meds and breakfast"
“PM readings between 7:00–8:00 PM before bed, no caffeine for 3 hours”

Clear averages
Instead of 20 separate numbers, you present daily averages or at least note when a set of readings seems higher or lower than your usual. For example:

“Home average over 7 days: ~128/80 AM, ~136/84 PM”

Context for outliers
If one reading is much higher than your usual, you note why:

“03/09/2025 – 4:10 PM – 160/96, pulse 90 – Argument with family, very upset. Rechecked at 4:20 PM: 148/92.”

Those small notes turn your log into a story about your health, not just a spreadsheet of numbers.

For more tips on what clinicians look for, Harvard Health Publishing offers guidance on how to measure and track blood pressure at home.

FAQ: Common questions and examples of blood pressure recording

What are some simple examples of how to record blood pressure readings at home?

Simple examples include writing entries like: “03/05/2025 – 7:00 AM – 128/78, pulse 70, left arm, sitting, before meds” in a notebook, or using your phone’s Notes app with date, time, numbers, and a short note like “after work, stressed.” Any format that includes date, time, reading, and a brief note about what was happening is a good example of a useful record.

How many readings should I record each time?

Many experts suggest taking two readings, one minute apart, and recording both or at least the average. In your log, that might look like: “7:05 AM – 1st: 132/82; 7:07 AM – 2nd: 128/80; average ~130/81.” This is one of the best examples of how to record blood pressure readings in a way that reduces random swings.

Do I need to write down my pulse too?

You don’t have to, but it helps. Most home monitors show your pulse automatically, so it’s easy to add. A strong example of a complete entry would be: “136/84, pulse 76, left arm, sitting.” Pulse can give your provider extra clues about how your heart is working.

Should I include notes about food, stress, or sleep?

Yes, at least occasionally. Good examples include short notes like “very salty dinner,” “only 4 hours of sleep,” or “major work stress.” You don’t need a diary-length entry; one short line can explain why a reading is higher or lower than usual.

Is an app better than a paper log for recording readings?

Neither is automatically better. The best examples of successful tracking are the methods you’ll stick with. If you love tech and already use your phone for everything, an app may be easier. If you prefer something you can hand to your doctor, a paper log or printed spreadsheet may work better. The content of your entries matters more than the tool.

Bringing it all together

You don’t have to be perfect. You just have to be consistent enough that your blood pressure log tells a clear story: when you measured, what the numbers were, and what was going on around them. The examples of how to record blood pressure readings in this guide are meant to be copied, edited, and made your own.

Start with one format—paper, phone, spreadsheet, or app—and try it for a week. At your next appointment, show your doctor. Ask, “Is this the kind of detail you want?” Then adjust based on their feedback.

Your monitor gives you the numbers. How you record them turns those numbers into something your healthcare team can actually use to help you stay healthier over the long term.