Guide: Choosing a Blood Pressure Monitor
What your reading means, upper-arm vs wrist monitors, how to test accurately at home, and what to check before you buy.
AT A GLANCE
- What's a normal reading? The HSE considers 90/60mmHg to 120/80mmHg the ideal range for most adults.
- What's high? 140/90mmHg or higher (135/85mmHg average at home) — see Section 02 for the full breakdown.
- What's low? 90/60mmHg or lower.
- Upper-arm or wrist? Upper-arm is generally more accurate — see Section 03.
- VAT? 23%, the standard rate.
CONTENTS
High blood pressure (hypertension) doesn't usually cause symptoms — the only way to know is to get it checked. Left unmanaged, it raises the risk of heart disease, stroke and other serious conditions. The HSE recommends anyone aged 40 or over has their blood pressure checked at least once a year, and adults aged 18–39 with no family history at least once every 5 years.
A home monitor doesn't replace your GP, but it gives you readings between check-ups and, done correctly, can be more representative than a single reading taken in a clinic — some people's blood pressure rises just from the stress of a medical visit.
↑ Back to topA blood pressure reading is given as two numbers, in millimetres of mercury (mmHg): systolic pressure (when your heart pushes blood out) over diastolic pressure (when your heart rests between beats). A reading of "120 over 80" is written 120/80mmHg.
| Category | Reading |
|---|---|
| Low blood pressure | 90/60mmHg or lower |
| Ideal blood pressure | Between 90/60mmHg and 120/80mmHg |
| At risk of high blood pressure | Between 120/80mmHg and 140/90mmHg |
| High blood pressure | 140/90mmHg or higher (average 135/85mmHg at home) |
| High blood pressure, if you're over 80 | 150/90mmHg or higher (average 145/85mmHg at home) |
A single high or low reading doesn't mean you have a blood pressure problem — it can fluctuate through the day, and stress or a rushed reading can skew it. This is exactly why the HSE recommends a structured week of home readings rather than judging on one result (Section 05).
↑ Back to top| Type | Notes |
|---|---|
| Upper-arm monitor | Cuff worn around the upper arm, at heart height. Generally the most accurate and the type most GPs recommend for home use. |
| Wrist monitor | More compact and easier for some people to fit themselves, but more sensitive to arm position — needs to be held exactly at heart level to be accurate. |
| Manual (aneroid/mercury + stethoscope) | Used by trained clinicians; requires practice to use correctly and isn't recommended for home self-testing. |
| Automatic/digital | Inflates and reads the result itself, with a digital display — this is what the HSE describes as now the standard for both clinic and home use. |
For most people testing at home, an automatic upper-arm monitor is the easiest to use correctly and repeatably.
↑ Back to topNot every monitor on the market has been independently tested for accuracy. The HSE points people toward STRIDE-BP, an independent non-profit organisation that maintains a list of blood pressure monitors validated for home use.
- A cuff size that matches your arm circumference — a poorly fitted cuff gives an inaccurate reading.
- Independent validation (e.g. listed by STRIDE-BP) rather than accuracy claims alone.
- A clear digital display, and ideally a memory function if you're tracking readings over time for your GP.
We stock validated monitors from established clinical brands including Omron, Beurer and Welch Allyn — see our Diagnostics range.
↑ Back to top- Sit down with your back supported and legs uncrossed for at least 5 minutes before testing.
- Roll up your sleeve so the cuff sits directly on your skin, around your upper arm.
- Support your arm at the same height as your heart — on a cushion or a chair arm.
- Stay still and avoid talking during the measurement.
- Measure twice a day — morning and evening — taking 2 readings 1 minute apart each time, for 7 days. Your GP or nurse can then work out your average.
Home testing done this way can give a more accurate picture than a single reading at a GP visit, and makes it easier to track a condition over time.
↑ Back to topLow blood pressure (90/60mmHg or lower) doesn't always cause symptoms, but the HSE lists these as signs it may be worth getting checked:
- Lightheadedness or dizziness
- Feeling sick
- Blurred vision
- Generally feeling weak
- Confusion
- Fainting
Symptoms on standing up or changing position suddenly can point to postural hypotension — a fall in blood pressure when moving from lying or sitting to standing.
↑ Back to topContact your GP if you consistently get high or low readings over several days of home testing, or if you get symptoms such as dizziness, fainting or blurred vision alongside an unusual reading. A single unusual reading is not, on its own, a diagnosis — a structured week of home testing (Section 05) is what your GP will actually use to assess your blood pressure.
This guide is general information, not medical advice, and a home monitor does not replace a GP assessment. If you feel seriously unwell — chest pain, difficulty breathing, sudden severe headache, or loss of consciousness — this is a medical emergency: call 112/999.
↑ Back to top| Product | VAT |
|---|---|
| Blood pressure monitors (upper-arm or wrist) | 23% |
Blood pressure monitors are charged at the standard VAT rate.
↑ Back to topWhat is considered high blood pressure?
Per the HSE, high blood pressure is 140/90mmHg or higher (average 135/85mmHg at home). For people over 80, it's 150/90mmHg or higher (average 145/85mmHg at home).
What is considered low blood pressure?
Per the HSE, low blood pressure is a measurement of 90/60mmHg or lower.
How should I take my blood pressure at home for an accurate reading?
Sit with your back supported and legs uncrossed for at least 5 minutes first, with your arm at heart height. Measure twice a day (morning and evening), 2 readings 1 minute apart each time, for 7 days, so your GP can work out your average.
What VAT applies to a blood pressure monitor?
Blood pressure monitors are charged at the standard VAT rate of 23%.
↑ Back to topFor help choosing a monitor, or any other question:
Castle Demesne
Newcastle West
Co. Limerick, V42 N220
