Blood pressure checks are a common reason for visits to your doctor. Yet, for less than the cost of a single appointment, you may be able to buy your own blood pressure monitor. This way you can check the reading yourself at home.

Blood pressure is the force of blood against the walls of your arteries. Blood pressure readings can vary depending on many factors, including stress levels and time of day. Your reading in a doctor's office can be as much as 20 or 30 points higher. The nervousness of being there can be enough to increase blood pressure.

You can buy blood pressure monitors at many places, including drug stores, medical supply stores, general merchandise stores, and online. The American Heart Association recommends using an automatic, cuff-style, upper-arm monitor. Wrist and finger monitors are not recommended. They give less reliable readings.

It's important to check the accuracy of either type of monitor every so often. One way to make sure your monitor is accurate is to take it with you to your next doctor's appointment. Take your blood pressure with your monitor and compare it with the reading from your doctor's monitor.

Choose a monitor that has been validated. You can find options at validatebp.org. You can also ask your doctor or pharmacist to recommend one for you. Keep in mind that if you have a large upper arm, you'll need a special, large cuff to get a correct reading.

Ask your doctor when and how often you should take your blood pressure at home.

Each type of blood pressure monitor works differently. Be sure to read the instructions that come with yours. Ask your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist to teach you how to use it. Many people can check their own blood pressure at home without any problem. Some may need help from a family member or friend.

Your home blood pressure reading is more likely to be accurate if you do the following:

• Don't take readings within a half-hour after smoking, exercising, eating, or drinking beverages, especially those with caffeine.
• Take at least 2 readings 1 or 2 minutes apart.
• Take your blood pressure at the same time every day.
• Before you take your blood pressure, sit quietly for 5 minutes with your back supported and your feet flat on the ground. Don't cross your legs. Rest your arm on a table at the level of your heart. Don't talk, watch TV, or use your phone.
• Use the bathroom before taking your reading. A full bladder can change the results.
• Don't talk while your blood pressure is being measured.
• Don't take the measurement over clothes.

Blood pressure measurements are given as two numbers. Systolic blood pressure is the upper number. This is the pressure when the heart contracts. Diastolic blood pressure is the lower number. This is the pressure when the heart relaxes between beats. Both numbers in a blood pressure reading are important. As we grow older, systolic blood pressure is especially important.

Blood pressure may be low, normal, elevated, or stage 1 or stage 2 high blood pressure:

• Low blood pressure is systolic of less than 90 and diastolic of less than 60.
• Normal blood pressure is systolic of less than 120 and diastolic of less than 80.
• Elevated blood pressure is systolic of 120 to 129 and diastolic less than 80.
• Stage 1 high blood pressure is systolic of 130 to 139 or diastolic is between 80 to 89.
• Stage 2 high blood pressure is systolic of 140 or higher or diastolic is 90 or higher.

Get medical care right away if your blood pressure is much higher or lower than expected. Whenever you visit your doctor, take your blood pressure record with you.

As a monitor ages, it may become less accurate. If the monitor you have is older than 5 years, you may need a new one. Take it with you to your health care appointments and check the accuracy of the monitor against the reading the doctor is getting.