Section
Checking your health at home
Your GP practice may ask you to check your blood pressure, pulse or oxygen level at home. These guides explain how to do it properly, what the readings mean, and when a reading means you should get help. Before a blood pressure check, sit quietly for 5 minutes, and share every reading with your practice, not just the lowest. It also helps to keep a simple list of your conditions, medicines, allergies and recent readings to take to appointments. Looking for the free NHS Couch to 5K and weight loss apps? They are in Using NHS services online. Personal alarms are in Looking after someone.
Blood pressure monitor says irregular heartbeat: what it means and what to do
Your blood pressure monitor flagged an irregular heartbeat or possible AF. What it means, how to repeat the reading and when to see your GP.
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Home blood pressure readings for your GP: how to do a week of checks
How to take, record and send a week of home blood pressure readings when your GP practice asks, with a reading log you can copy.
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NHS blood pressure chart: checking your blood pressure at home
How to check your blood pressure at home properly, what the numbers mean on a UK blood pressure chart, and when to get help.
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Using a pulse oximeter at home
How to use a pulse oximeter properly, what the oxygen readings mean, why they can be wrong, and when to get help.
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What is a normal heart rate?
A normal resting heart rate for adults is 60 to 100 beats a minute. How to check your pulse, what changes it and when to get help.
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What smartwatch heart alerts mean
What irregular rhythm, ECG, heart rate and high blood pressure alerts on a smartwatch mean, what they cannot do, and what to do if you get one.
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Best home blood pressure monitors: choosing a BIHS validated monitor
How to choose an accurate home blood pressure monitor from the BIHS validated list, with picks from low-cost to app-connected.
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Choosing a pulse oximeter
What to look for in a home pulse oximeter, why none is "NHS approved", and what the accuracy evidence says, with options from low-cost up.
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Choosing a thermometer for your family
Which home thermometer to buy for adults, children and babies, how to take a temperature properly, and what counts as high.
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Choosing an electric toothbrush
Which electric toothbrush to buy for adults, children and people with braces, how to brush properly, and whether smart app features are worth it.
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Choosing bathroom and smart scales
What weight, BMI and body fat readings can and cannot tell you, who should avoid body composition scales, and which scales to buy.
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Smartwatches for heart health
Which smartwatches and wearables offer heart rhythm checks in the UK, what each feature does, and who should and should not rely on one.
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