Monitoring blood pressure at home is the process of measuring the force exerted by blood against the walls of blood vessels. It is typically performed using a sphygmomanometer, an inflatable cuff that is placed around the upper arm and connected to a gauge that measures the pressure in millimeters of mercury (mm Hg).
Home blood pressure monitoring is an important tool for managing high blood pressure, a major risk factor for heart disease and stroke. It allows individuals to track their blood pressure over time and make lifestyle changes or adjust medications as needed. The development of automated blood pressure monitors in the 1970s made home monitoring widely accessible and convenient.