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.
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.
