High blood pressure in older adults: accurate home readings and monitoring

High blood pressure rarely causes symptoms, so regular readings, taking medicines without gaps and routine check-ups are the foundation of care. Accurate home readings help the doctor adjust treatment. This guide is general information: only your relative’s doctor sets target values and doses.

7 rules for accurate home readings

• Sit quietly for 5 minutes first; no coffee, smoking or exercise in the previous 30 minutes.
• Keep the back supported, feet flat on the floor and legs uncrossed.
• Rest the arm on a table, with the cuff on the bare upper arm at heart level. The cuff must be the right size for the arm.
• Do not talk or look at a phone during the reading.
• Take two readings one minute apart and write both down.
• Measure at the same times each day; most doctors ask for a morning reading before medicines and one in the evening.
• Use a validated, regularly checked upper-arm monitor; correct positioning is harder with wrist devices.

How to keep a blood pressure log

Date, time, both readings and pulse are enough. Add notes such as dizziness, headache, a missed dose or a sleepless night. Take the log or the app records to appointments. A trend over several days tells the doctor far more than one high reading.

Medication adherence: the hidden half of blood pressure care

Blood pressure medicines should not be stopped because “I feel fine”, nor should the dose be raised because “it was high today”. A weekly pill organiser and a reminder at a fixed time reduce missed doses. Report dizziness, light-headedness or falls on standing; in older adults, blood pressure dropping too low can also increase the risk of falling.

Everyday support that helps

• Cut down on salt: watch for hidden salt in packet soups, pickles, brined cheese, processed meat and bread. Do not add salt at the table.
• Build meals around vegetables, fruit and pulses; with kidney disease, ask the doctor about potassium-rich foods.
• Walk regularly within the limits the doctor advises; short, frequent walks count too.
• Get support to stop smoking; limit alcohol.
• Tell the doctor if you notice loud snoring or pauses in breathing during sleep.

When is it an emergency?

If a very high reading comes with chest pain, breathlessness, a severe headache, loss of vision, slurred speech, a drooping face or weakness in an arm or leg, call your local emergency number (112 in Türkiye and across the EU) straight away. These can be signs of a heart attack or stroke. If very high readings keep recurring without symptoms, contact the doctor the same day.