Education
Research Library
Explore patient-friendly information from trusted national health organizations. Each card opens the original source in a new tab.
These resources are for education only. For questions about your readings, medicines, or symptoms, contact your healthcare provider.
How to measure your blood pressure at home, step by step
Cuff size, timing, position, and how many readings to take — the details that decide whether your home numbers are usable.
Good to know
Common health conditions that can often be found early
Simple facts about common conditions. This is general education, not medical advice — talk with your provider about what applies to you.
High blood pressure
Often has no symptoms, which is why it's called the "silent killer." Regular checks are the only way to know your numbers.
Learn more from CDCType 2 diabetes and prediabetes
About 1 in 3 U.S. adults has prediabetes and most don't know it. A simple blood test can find it early.
Learn more from CDCHeart disease
The leading cause of death in the U.S. Many risk factors — like blood pressure, cholesterol and smoking — can be checked and discussed with a provider.
Learn more from CDCStroke
Knowing the warning signs (B.E. F.A.S.T.) and calling 911 quickly can make a big difference.
Learn more from CDCChronic kidney disease
About 1 in 7 U.S. adults may have kidney disease, and most don't know. High blood pressure and diabetes are the most common causes.
Learn more from CDCHigh cholesterol
Usually causes no symptoms. A blood test is the only way to know your levels.
Learn more from CDCColorectal cancer
Screening can find growths early, sometimes before they turn into cancer. Ask when screening is right for you.
Learn more from CDCFlu and other vaccines
Vaccines help protect against serious illness. Your provider can tell you which ones are recommended for your age.
Learn more from CDCUnderstanding hypertension
What blood pressure numbers mean, home-monitoring technique, and current ACC/AHA targets.
Living well with Type 2 Diabetes
Time in range, meal timing, and what fasting vs. post-meal readings tell you.
Kidney health basics
How BP, glucose, and NSAIDs interact with kidney function over time.
Heart failure at home
Weight changes, swelling, and shortness of breath — what to track and when to call.
Measure blood pressure correctly at home
A step-by-step guide to choosing a monitor, preparing for a reading, and positioning the cuff.
Vital signs: what the numbers describe
An overview of blood pressure, breathing rate, pulse, and temperature from the National Library of Medicine.
Use medicines safely
Practical information about medicines, side effects, interactions, and questions to ask your care team.
Evidence
Research behind home tracking
Published studies on why checking your numbers and taking medicines consistently matters. Each link opens the study summary in a new tab.
Self-monitoring of blood pressure in hypertension: a systematic review and individual patient data meta-analysis
PLOS Medicine, 2017
People who checked their blood pressure at home, especially with support from their care team, had lower blood pressure a year later.
Read the studyEfficacy of self-monitored blood pressure, with or without telemonitoring, for titration of antihypertensive medication (TASMINH4)
The Lancet, 2018
Doctors adjusting medicines using patients' home readings achieved better blood pressure control than clinic readings alone.
Read the studyAdherence to long-term therapies: evidence for action
World Health Organization, 2003
About half of people with long-term conditions don't take medicines as prescribed; improving adherence may matter more than any single new treatment.
Read the studyImpact of medication adherence on hospitalization risk and healthcare cost
Medical Care, 2005
People who took their diabetes, blood pressure, and cholesterol medicines consistently had fewer hospital stays.
Read the studyInterventions for enhancing medication adherence
Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2014
A large review of strategies — like reminders and tracking — that help people take medicines as prescribed.
Read the studySelf-monitoring of blood glucose in type 2 diabetes not using insulin
Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2012
Checking glucose at home led to a small improvement in HbA1c over six months.
Read the studyMobile phone text messaging to improve medication adherence in chronic disease: a meta-analysis
JAMA Internal Medicine, 2016
Simple text reminders roughly doubled the odds that people took their medicines regularly.
Read the study
