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Blood Pressure Health Center

Blood pressure, explained in plain language.

91 practical guides on reading your numbers, using a home monitor, eating with less sodium and building everyday habits, written to help you prepare useful questions for your health care professional.

Common questions What do the two numbers mean? Which cuff size fits me? When is a reading an emergency? How do I compare sodium on labels?
From the guide What do the two blood pressure numbers actually mean?

91

plain-language guides

11

topics, from readings to sleep

Sept. 2026

last reviewed

Free

printable Blood Pressure Log

New to home readings? Begin with these three.

Understanding blood pressure readingsWhat do the two blood pressure numbers actually mean?Systolic and diastolic pressure, reading categories, pulse pressure and what to ask your care team.Read the guide Home blood pressure monitorsMeasure your arm before buying a blood pressure cuffHow cuff fit, model details and careful setup support more useful home readings.Read the guide Concerning readings and when to seek helpA very high blood pressure reading: when is it an emergency?What to record, when to call your care team, and which symptoms may need emergency care.Read the guide

Eleven topics, one calm place to look things up.

See the full list

Your readings and your monitor

Understanding blood pressure readingsThe two numbers, categories, and why one reading cannot set a target.Explore the topic 12 guides Home blood pressure monitorsValidation, cuff size, useful features, cleaning and troubleshooting.Explore the topic 8 guides Concerning readings and when to seek helpVery high or low readings, symptoms, and what to say when you call.Explore the topic 5 guides

Food, drinks and sodium

Reading sodium on food labelsServing sizes, percent Daily Value and fair comparisons.Explore the topic 8 guides Cooking with less sodiumHerbs, citrus, roasting and adapting family recipes.Explore the topic 10 guides Restaurants, takeout, and shared mealsMenus, simple requests and eating with others.Explore the topic 8 guides Caffeine, alcohol, smoking, and fluidsDrink sizes, medicines and individual fluid needs.Explore the topic 8 guides

Everyday habits

Physical activity and everyday movementActivities you enjoy, walking routes, desk days.Explore the topic 8 guides Sleep and blood pressure healthSleep diaries, evening routines, snoring questions.Explore the topic 8 guides Stress and emotional wellbeingBusy weeks, short pauses, asking for help.Explore the topic 7 guides Healthy aging and living wellGoals, hobbies, connection and independence.Explore the topic 9 guides

When a reading needs attention now

For a reading of 180/120 mm Hg or higher, American Heart Association guidance splits the next step by how you feel.

With symptoms

Chest pain, shortness of breath, back pain, numbness, weakness, change in vision or difficulty speaking: call 911.

Without symptoms

Wait at least 1 minute and measure again. If it is still 180/120 or higher, contact your health care professional as soon as possible.

Read the full guide: A very high blood pressure reading: when is it an emergency?

The full directory

Every guide, grouped by topic. Open a topic to see its guides.

Understanding blood pressure readings12 guides
Home blood pressure monitors8 guides
Concerning readings and when to seek help5 guides
Reading sodium on food labels8 guides
Cooking with less sodium10 guides
Restaurants, takeout, and shared meals8 guides
Caffeine, alcohol, smoking, and fluids8 guides
Physical activity and everyday movement8 guides
Sleep and blood pressure health8 guides
Stress and emotional wellbeing7 guides
Healthy aging and living well9 guides

Free tools

Keep your readings in one place.

A printable log for the date, time, both readings and your pulse, so patterns are easier to review with your care team.

Get the free Blood Pressure Log Glucose Log

Prefer to read it all in one place?

Two ebooks that bring these topics together, for readers who want a complete, step-by-step reference.

Ebook · Second Edition · 164 pages

Blood Pressure Health 101

A plain-language companion to these guides: what your numbers mean, how to take more reliable home readings, and how food, sleep, stress, medicines and supplements fit together. Updated for the 2025 high blood pressure guideline.

  • A seven-day home monitoring routine
  • Questions to bring to your care team in every chapter
  • Logs, worksheets and action plans
See the ebook $1.99 · email delivery

Ebook · 14-day meal plan

The DASH Diet for Healthy Blood Pressure

Turns the DASH eating pattern into everyday meals from an ordinary grocery store, with smarter sodium choices and flavor that does not depend on salt.

  • A 14-day DASH meal plan with daily nutrition totals
  • 12 simple recipes and 2 weekly shopping lists
  • Food label guidance and reusable worksheets
See the ebook $1.99 · email delivery

The guides on this page are free to read. The ebooks are optional.

How these guides are made

Plain language first

Each guide answers one practical question, often with questions to bring to your care team.

Sources you can check

Guides list the guidelines and public health sources they draw on.

Reviewed and dated

Prepared by the Longevity Premier Research Team. Last reviewed September 2026.