Screening check
How often should I get my blood pressure checked?
High blood pressure affects about 45% of US adults and is a major risk factor for heart attack, stroke, heart failure and kidney disease. The US Preventive Services Task Force recommends screening every adult. Check how often that means for you.
About you
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What you will see
How often the USPSTF suggests blood pressure screening for you.
Educational only, not medical advice. Talk to a clinician about any high reading.
Source
US Preventive Services Task Force, April 2021 reaffirmation of its recommendation on screening for hypertension in adults.
Validated in
Adults 18 and older without known high blood pressure.
Limits
It tells you how often to be checked, not whether your blood pressure is high. Evidence on the best interval is limited, so the intervals are the USPSTF's suggested options.
What the USPSTF recommends
| Who | How often |
|---|---|
| Adults 40 and older | Every year (USPSTF 2021) |
| Adults at increased risk, such as Black adults, people with high-normal blood pressure and people who are overweight or obese | Every year (USPSTF 2021) |
| Adults 18 to 39, not at increased risk, with a prior normal reading | Every 3 to 5 years (USPSTF 2021) |
Screening all adults 18 and older is a grade A recommendation. Screening is done with an office blood pressure measurement, and a high reading should be confirmed with measurements outside the clinic before treatment starts (USPSTF 2021).
Who is at higher risk
All adults should be screened, but the risk of high blood pressure is higher with older age, Black race, family history, excess weight and obesity, lack of physical activity, stress, tobacco use, and diets high in fat or sodium, low in potassium or with too much alcohol (USPSTF 2021).
How the reading should be taken
In the studies the USPSTF reviewed, office readings were taken at the upper arm, usually seated after 5 minutes of rest (USPSTF 2021). To confirm a high office reading, the options are a 24-hour ambulatory monitor, which takes readings every 20 to 30 minutes over 12 to 24 hours, or home monitoring with an automated device, using a validated and accurate device (USPSTF 2021).
Readings can differ between settings. "White coat" hypertension is high in the office but normal outside it; "masked" hypertension is the reverse. Heart disease risk is highest with sustained high blood pressure, then masked, then white coat (USPSTF 2021).
What counts as high
Different organizations draw the line at 130/80 mm Hg or at 140/90 mm Hg (USPSTF 2021). High blood pressure means readings that are high repeatedly, over time and in different settings (USPSTF 2021). See blood pressure ranges for the current categories.
Common questions
Does screening have downsides?
The USPSTF found the harms of screening minor. Studies found no substantial short-term effect on quality of life or mood; 24-hour monitors caused minor problems such as poor sleep, discomfort, bruising and skin irritation (USPSTF 2021).
Why treat it?
The benefits of treating high blood pressure in preventing stroke, heart failure and coronary heart disease events are well documented. Treatment can include lifestyle changes, medicine or both (USPSTF 2021).
Also see blood pressure by age, the heart risk calculator, the blood pressure in pregnancy check, the child blood pressure check and all screening tests by age.
Sources
- US Preventive Services Task Force. Screening for Hypertension in Adults: US Preventive Services Task Force Reaffirmation Recommendation Statement. JAMA. 2021;325(16):1650-1656. www.uspreventiveservicestaskforce.org/uspstf/recommendation/hypertension-in-adults-screening
Written and maintained by the uncovermyrisk.com editorial team. We do not have a medical reviewer; every claim links to its primary source above. Last reviewed: 2026-10-30. Spotted an error? See About.