Cardivo guides

Blood pressure log and diary (free printable PDF)

Updated October 17, 2026 · Wellness education, not medical advice

Key takeaways

Measure at the same time each day and take two readings, one minute apart (AHA).
Write down every reading — date, time, both numbers, pulse, which arm, and notes.
Use a validated upper-arm cuff; wrist and finger monitors aren't recommended.
Bring your log and your cuff to appointments so your doctor can check both.

A single reading at the doctor's office is a snapshot. A blood pressure log — a record of home readings over days and weeks — shows your real average and helps uncover patterns like white coat or masked hypertension. The American Heart Association recommends home monitoring for people with high blood pressure.

⬇ Download the free printable blood pressure log (PDF) — two pages, 44 rows, US Letter. Space for two readings, pulse, and notes, with the AHA categories printed at the bottom.

Before you measure

Use an automatic, validated upper-arm cuff that fits your arm. You can check models at validatebp.org.
No caffeine, exercise, or smoking for 30 minutes before.
Empty your bladder and sit quietly for at least 5 minutes, back supported, feet flat, arm resting at heart level on bare skin.
Don't talk during the reading.

When and how often to measure

Same time every day — many people measure in the morning before medicines and food, and again in the evening.
Two readings, one minute apart, each session. Record both.
Before a doctor's appointment or after a medicine change, your clinician may ask for readings every day for about a week.

What to write in your blood pressure log

Date	Time	Reading 1	Reading 2	Pulse	Notes
Mon 10/12	7:10 am	128/82	124/80	68	Before meds, slept 6 h
Mon 10/12	8:30 pm	122/78	120/77	72	After walk
Tue 10/13	7:05 am	134/86	131/84	75	Salty dinner, stressful day

Useful notes: which arm you used, missed or late medicines, symptoms (dizziness, headache), sleep, alcohol, salty meals, and stress. Then compare your average with the blood pressure readings chart.

How to read your log

Look at the average over a week, not the single highest number.
Notice patterns: higher in the morning? After poor sleep? Lower after exercise?
Call your healthcare professional if your average stays above your goal, and call 911 for readings above 180/120 with symptoms.

Paper diary vs. app

Paper logs work, but they're easy to lose and hard to average. A blood pressure app keeps every reading dated, charts your trends, and turns weeks of data into a report in seconds.

Track blood pressure on your iPhone with Cardivo

Cardivo — Heart Rate & BP Log is an ad-free iPhone app for keeping your blood pressure log alongside heart rate, HRV, blood sugar, and mood:

Type in cuff readings in seconds, or sync them from Apple Health.
See daily and weekly charts and add notes for context.
Export a clean PDF to email, print, or AirDrop to your doctor.

Cardivo also offers a camera-based blood pressure estimate for wellness trends. It isn't a cuff — use your validated cuff readings for your log and for any health decision.

This guide is general wellness education based on the public sources below. It is not medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Cardivo is not a medical device. If you think you are having a medical emergency, call 911.

Frequently asked questions

How often should I take my blood pressure at home?

The AHA recommends measuring at the same time each day and taking two readings one minute apart each session. Your doctor may ask for daily readings for a week before an appointment or after a medicine change.

What should I write in a blood pressure log?

Date, time, both readings (systolic/diastolic), pulse, which arm, and notes such as missed medicines, symptoms, sleep, alcohol, or stress.

Is there a free printable blood pressure chart?

Yes. Cardivo offers a free two-page printable blood pressure log (PDF) at gocardivo.com/blood-pressure-log.pdf with columns for date, time, two readings, pulse, and notes, plus the AHA categories.

Is there an app to log blood pressure on iPhone?

Yes. Cardivo is an ad-free iPhone app that logs cuff readings or syncs them from Apple Health, charts trends next to heart rate and HRV, and exports a PDF for your doctor.

Are wrist blood pressure monitors accurate?

The AHA recommends an automatic, validated upper-arm cuff. Wrist and finger monitors are not recommended for home monitoring.

Sources

Cardivo is an ad-free iPhone app that reads heart rate and HRV from your fingertip on the camera in about 30 seconds — no Apple Watch needed — and keeps blood pressure, blood sugar, and mood in one journal you can share with your doctor as a PDF. Download on the App Store.