Which is the best time to check blood pressure

Regular monitoring of blood pressure maintains heart health and prevents long-term complications. High or low blood pressures are often asymptomatic and truly stand to damage important organs in a silent manner over time. To understand the impact of your fluctuating BP, you must monitor it every day. However, do you know there is a best time to check blood pressure ?

Dr. Ashwin Tumkur, Sr. Consultant Cardiologist - Apollo Hospitals, Hyderguda, Hyderabad, says, “As a healthcare provider, I would like to recommend that blood pressure be checked at the same time every day, preferably before breakfast and before any medications are taken. This will give blood pressure readings that are comparable. Always make sure you are calm and seated for a few minutes prior to taking the readings. More than a single reading, trend-wise evaluation of blood pressure readings over a period of time serves as an indicator of one's cardiovascular health.”

Best time to check blood pressure

The best time for measuring blood pressure lies within the morning period, making sure it is done prior to meals, exercises, or any medication intake. Another time during the evening to have a second measurement can assist in establishing a fuller picture of your blood pressure pattern during the day. Authorization must be granted for the measurement to sit with calmness for at least a good 5 minutes.

According to Dr. Samir Kubba, Director & unit head - Cardiology, Dharamshila Narayana superspeciality hospital, “The best time to check blood pressure is twice daily: once in the morning and once in the evening. The morning reading should be taken within an hour of waking, before eating, exercising, or taking any medication. This time provides a clear baseline, as blood pressure tends to be naturally higher in the morning due to the body’s daily rhythm.”

An evening reading, ideally before dinner or bedtime, helps track how blood pressure changes throughout the day and whether it stays controlled after daily activities.



How to get an accurate BP reading?

To get accurate readings, sit quietly for 5 minutes before measuring, avoid caffeine, smoking, or exercise 30 minutes prior, and use a validated home blood pressure monitor . Always measure at consistent times daily and keep a log for your doctor. Regular monitoring at these times helps detect hypertension early and manage it effectively, reducing the risk of heart problems.

24-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring can help in the early diagnosis of hypertension, especially in patients with normal office recordings , patients with significant blood pressure fluctuations, and difficult-to-control hypertension.