Follow the intervals recommended by your doctor for follow‑up visits, and record every measurement in the same notebook

Each checkup costs anywhere from a few dozen to several hundred yuan. A trip to the hospital and waiting for results also takes some time. The main difficulty is that you must go regularly, which can easily be put off.

For chronic disease, changes over time matter; one reading is not enough. A hypertension analysis pooled individual data from 7138 people in 15 randomized trials. Compared with usual care, home blood-pressure monitoring changed clinic systolic pressure by an average of −3.2 mmHg at 12 months (95% CI −4.9 to −1.6). Monitoring alone without other measures showed no clear effect: −1.0 mmHg (−3.3 to 1.2; the difference may be chance). With the most intensive additional support, pressure fell 6.1 mmHg (3.2 to 9.0). Support meant medication adjustments based on readings by doctors, pharmacists or patients, together with health education and lifestyle guidance. The authors concluded that measurement alone does not lower pressure; medication adjustment based on readings is needed. These figures concern blood pressure, not directly mortality. When changing hospitals in China, measures from the National Health Commission and three other departments say that hospitals and doctors must not repeat existing tests provided by the patient if they meet mutual-recognition conditions and clinical needs. Recognized reports carry an ‘HR’ mark, such as ‘全国HR’ (national HR).

Tucker KL, Sheppard JP, Stevens R, et al. (2017). Self-monitoring of blood pressure in hypertension: A systematic review and individual patient data meta-analysis. PLoS Medicine, 14(9), e1002389. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pmed.1002389；国家卫生健康委、国家医保局、国家中医药局、中央军委后勤保障部卫生局 (2022). 关于印发医疗机构检查检验结果互认管理办法的通知（国卫医发〔2022〕6 号），第十三条、第十七条、第十九条. https://www.gov.cn/zhengce/zhengceku/2022-02/19/content_5674575.htm

Rated only B because direct evidence concerns hypertension alone and the endpoint is blood pressure, not death. No health-outcome study was found on keeping all readings in one notebook itself. Record at least four things each time: date, value, medication being taken and dosage. Phone photos of reports are also fine, but keep everything together. Mutual recognition has exceptions: changed condition, rapidly changing results, before surgery or transfusion, and emergency resuscitation may justify repeat tests. For copying and keeping records and images, see Section 24, item 5 (keep your own copies of records, test reports and images).