How to keep your blood pressure down

Your doctor can watch the sphygmomanometer gauge to determine systolic pressure - the pressure when the first sound of pulsing blood can be heard - and the diastolic pressure, which is the pressure when the last sound can be heard.

For many older people, only the systolic blood pressure is high, a condition known as 'isolated systolic hypertension', or ISH (systolic at or above 140 mm Hg and diastolic under 90 mm Hg). Research has found that diastolic blood pressure rises until about age 55 and then declines, while systolic blood pressure increases steadily with age.

Home monitoring
Some people experience so-called 'white coat hypertension', which is elevated blood pressure caused by the anxiety and stress they feel when they visit their doctor. At home, you can check your blood pressure in a setting that's more comfortable for you, and therefore you may get a more accurate reading. Home blood pressure monitoring also gives you the opportunity to measure your own blood pressure when your doctor's surgery is not open. Devices for home blood pressure monitoring are available at large chemists.