1. What is a Home Blood Pressure Diary Calculator?

Definition: This calculator computes the average of multiple blood pressure readings taken at home over time.

Purpose: It helps individuals track and analyze their blood pressure trends between doctor visits.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the formula:

Where:

• Systolic and diastolic pressures are calculated separately
• Only properly formatted readings (e.g., 120/80) are counted

Explanation: The calculator sums all valid readings and divides by the number of readings to get the average.

3. Importance of Home Blood Pressure Monitoring

Details: Regular home monitoring provides more data points than occasional clinic visits, helping detect patterns and white coat hypertension.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter one blood pressure reading per line in the format "Systolic/Diastolic" (e.g., 120/80). Morning and evening readings over 7 days are recommended.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: How many readings should I enter?
A: For best results, enter at least 12 readings (twice daily for 7 days) as recommended by most guidelines.

Q2: What's a normal home blood pressure average?
A: Generally, averages below 135/85 mmHg are considered normal for home readings.

Q3: Should I include unusual readings?
A: Include all readings unless you know there was an error (e.g., movement during measurement).

Q4: When is the best time to measure?
A: Take readings in the morning before medication and in the evening before bed, after 5 minutes of rest.

Q5: How does this compare to office readings?
A: Home averages are typically 5-10 mmHg lower than office measurements due to the "white coat" effect.