For patients · Reading time 6 minutes · Version 1.1 · Translation of the German page, medically reviewed on 5 October 2026 · the German version is authoritative · Diese Seite auf Deutsch
Blood pressure: measure, interpret, act
High blood pressure does not hurt. So what counts is not how you feel, but what the device shows over several weeks. Here you will find how to measure correctly, what the numbers mean and what really helps.
The essentials in three sentences
- A single high reading says little. The average over four weeks says a lot.
- At home, an average of 135 over 85 or above counts as raised; at the practice, 140 over 90.
- Exercise and losing weight together work as strongly as a medicine. Smokers gain most by stopping.
1
Measuring correctly
1Sit for five minutes
Back supported, feet on the floor, no talking. No coffee and no cigarette in the half hour before.
2Cuff on the upper arm
On bare skin, at heart level, the arm resting relaxed on the table. With wrist devices, hold the wrist at heart level, otherwise they measure inaccurately.
3Measure twice
With a one- to two-minute pause in between. Write down both values, even if the second is lower.
4Always at the same time
Best in the morning before breakfast and before your tablets.
2
Four weeks of readings
Our practice recommendation: measure twice a week, two readings each time, for four weeks. Then come back with the diary. If blood pressure stays above 180 (upper) or above 100 (lower), please contact us earlier.
Your readings stay on this device. They are not sent anywhere, and nobody but you sees them. If you clear your browser history, they are gone: print the diary before your appointment.
A high reading alone is rarely an emergency. A high reading together with one of these signs is one:
- Pain or pressure in the chest
- Shortness of breath
- Weakness, numbness or a drooping corner of the mouth
- Sudden difficulty speaking or seeing
- Very severe, unusual headache
- Confusion or drowsiness
3
Side effects: not as common as your neighbour says
Your neighbour is a sample of one. The package leaflet lists everything that has ever been reported, including complaints that occur just as often with a dummy tablet. The studies have counted.
Ramipril, enalapril, lisinopril
4 out of 100 people have complaints caused by the medicine. 96 have none.
Typical: A dry, tickly cough that does not go away.
What then: The cough is harmless but annoying. Tell us, and we will switch to a sartan.
Counted are complaints beyond those that also occur with a dummy tablet, at the usual dose. At half the dose there are clearly fewer. One medicine lowers blood pressure by 9 over 5.5 on average. Source: Law et al., BMJ 2003, 354 trials with 40,000 people treated.
If you notice something: do not simply stop the medicine, tell us. Almost always there is a lower dose or another drug group that you tolerate better.
Rare but important: if your lips, tongue or face swell or you have difficulty breathing, call 112 immediately.
4
What can I do myself?
More than most people think. Each of these measures has been measured in studies, and each works even if you already take tablets.
Tap whatever you could imagine doing.
Nothing chosen yet. Even one thing works.
The figures apply to people with raised blood pressure and are averages from studies: Cornelissen 2013, Neter 2003, Groppelli 1992, Filippou 2020, Roerecke 2017. For you it may be more or less. Do not stop medicines on your own, even if the readings improve.
5
From other healing traditions
Further reading, not a recommendation. Each item says how well it is supported by the standards of Western studies. None of them replaces a medicine you need.
Yoga and breathing exercises
India
Some studies, small effectIn studies, blood pressure falls by a few mmHg, especially when breathing and relaxation exercises are included. The studies are small. No harm is to be expected.
Tai chi and qigong
China
Some studies, small effectSlow movement with calm breathing. The studies show a small reduction but are of varying quality. Well suited to people who find sport difficult.
Hibiscus tea
Africa, Central America, Middle East
Few, small studiesTwo to three cups a day lowered blood pressure slightly in small studies. Harmless as a drink, not suitable as a substitute for a medicine.
Garlic
Europe, Asia
Few, small studiesSmall studies with garlic preparations show a reduction; the quality of the studies is low. Caution with blood thinners: please ask first.
Acupuncture
China
Not supported by Western studiesA lasting reduction in blood pressure has not been shown in good studies. Shortly after treatment it may be a little lower.
Ayurvedic and Chinese herbal mixtures
India, China
Not supported by Western studiesSome plants really do act strongly: an old blood pressure drug comes from Indian snakeroot. That is exactly why mixtures of unknown composition are risky. Please always bring them in and show us.
The links lead to freely accessible pages of German statutory health insurers, in German. We have no influence on their content.
6
Quick check: what will you take away?
Five questions for anyone who likes. No marks.
1. Your home average is 138 over 82. What does that mean?
2. How do you measure correctly?
3. Your neighbour says "everyone" gets side effects from blood pressure tablets. What do the studies show?
4. Your blood pressure is 190 over 105 and you suddenly have pressure in your chest. What do you do?
5. What lowers blood pressure most without a tablet?
No marks, no time pressure. Your progress is kept on this device only.
What this page cannot do
It makes no diagnosis and changes no treatment. It names no dose. Which readings are the target for you personally depends on age and other conditions and belongs in the conversation at the practice. In pregnancy, different rules apply: please contact us immediately if readings are raised. This page is a translation of the German original, which is the medically reviewed version; where the two differ, the German text applies.
Version 1.1 · Translation of the German page, medically reviewed on 5 October 2026 · the German version is authoritative
Reviewed by Stefan Höhne, Facharzt für Allgemeinmedizin. Numbers, doses and emergency numbers are identical to the German version and checked automatically. If anything is unclear, the German text applies.
Sources: Law et al., BMJ 2003 (effect and side effects, 354 trials); Thomopoulos et al., J Hypertens 2016 (treatment discontinuation); Cornelissen and Smart 2013 (exercise); Neter et al. 2003 (weight); Groppelli et al. 1992 (smoking); Filippou et al. 2020 (diet); Roerecke et al. 2017 (alcohol). Medically responsible: Stefan Höhne, specialist in general practice (Facharzt für Allgemeinmedizin). This page is independent: no sponsor, no advertising, no brand names. All patient information (German)