Why Can My Blood Pressure Reading Be Different at Home and at the Clinic?

I’ve had noticeably different blood pressure readings at home and during clinic visits, even when they were taken within a few days of each other. I’m not sure whether to compare single readings or look at a pattern over time.

For people who track home blood pressure readings, what details do you record so a clinician can make sense of them? I’m also wondering how much timing, cuff fit, or feeling tense during an appointment can affect the comparison.