Your doctor has told you that your blood pressure is too high and he wants you to keep an eye on it. Where do you start…where do you go to monitor it? You're tempted to buy a "machine" right away, but luckily your pharmacist talks you out of it.

There are several easy, quick ways to do this on a regular basis, but there are a some ground rules.

Use the machines in the pharmacies or supermarket, but stick to one machine. The readings aren't the same, so don't compare them. But here is a way to compare the readings "fairly". Use the same machine, at about the same time of the day each time you check it. Wear roughly the same type of clothing each time. And don't pull up the shirtsleeve: it will block circulation at the upper arm. To get a comparable reading you might go every fourth day, at about noon to the local pharmacy (where you also keep all your prescriptions and buy all your "over the counter" products), and wear the nice cotton shirt with light sweater. Take a few minutes to relax. Then put your arm, with the shirt sleeve still buttoned and sweater in place, into the arm holder, press the button and wait for it to inflate. (Or simply wear a short sleeved top.)

Don't believe the reading? Do it again, BUT wait for at least five minutes. Keep your composure or the measurement will be even higher. When you repeat this, don't change anything. Get another reading and then compare. Some food (salt) or beverages (caffeine, alcohol), or medications can often change the results. A "not so friendly drive" over might also have changed the reading substantially. Did you know that a visit to the doctors' office will really raise your blood pressure? It's a proven fact and it's called "white coat syndrome". Record your readings and take the record to the doctor regularly. Pick up a pamphlet from the pharmacist on how to interpret the readings or ask them for help.