How often should adults with normal blood pressure be screened for blood pressure?

• A. Every year
• B. Every 6 months
• C. Every 5 years
• D. Every 2 years

Answer: (D)

When blood pressure stays in the normal range, the goal of screening is to catch any rise early without unnecessary testing. If readings remain consistently below 120/80 over multiple visits, checking about every two years is enough for most adults. This interval balances staying vigilant for changes in blood pressure with avoiding over-testing.

More frequent checks are useful if you have risk factors (such as age, obesity, diabetes, kidney problems, or a family history of high blood pressure) or if previous readings were higher or in the high-normal range. In those cases, your clinician might recommend yearly checks or more often to monitor for any upward trend.