How Many Blood Pressure Readings Should You Take?
Measuring and logging guide ยท Last reviewed November 2, 2026
Blood pressure varies from one moment to the next. Taking more than one reading and averaging them gives a steadier picture than any single number.
Two readings per sitting
Home protocols usually ask for two readings, about a minute apart, each morning and each evening. Record both.
Why wait a minute
A short pause lets the cuff deflate fully and your arm settle before the next measurement. Stay seated and relaxed during the wait.
How many in a week
Two sittings a day for seven days is up to 28 readings. In Home BP Log's 7-day protocol, Day 1 is set aside, so days 2 to 7 give up to 24 readings to average.
What if you only get one
Sometimes a second reading is not possible. Record the single reading. Home BP Log counts it and reports it as a single, so nothing is hidden.
More is not always better
Stick to the schedule your clinician gave you. Taking extra readings because a number surprised you can make the log harder to read.
Details: the 7-day protocol explained.