Home blood pressure kits are readily available. Sometime they can even give a more accurate reading than your doctor. In addition, a study presented at the 2004 European Society of Hypertension meeting, found that people who monitored their blood pressure at home had lower overall blood pressure than those who only had their pressure taken at the doctor's office. Given, that it’s a good idea to invest in a home blood pressure kit, then, how do you choose a good one? Here are some tips from the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP):

• Get the right-size cuff. Ask your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist to tell you the cuff size you need for your arm. Blood pressure readings will be wrong if your cuff is the wrong size.

• Make sure you can read the numbers on the monitor.

• If you are using a stethoscope, you must be able to hear heart sounds through it.

• At least once, bring the cuff to your doctor's office and compare the readings on your cuff and the professional model. If they agree, you know you can trust yours.