Checking your blood pressure at home a few times a week can help you keep your numbers under control and spot unhealthy trends before your condition worsens. And with improvements in technology, you can quickly provide your blood pressure information to your healthcare team for improved care. This was illustrated in a study published in the June 25 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), which showed that hypertensive patients who used a Web-based program to share information and receive services and advice from a pharmacist had better blood pressure control than patients who did not participate in the program. Home blood pressure monitors typically cost between $50 and $150 and are easy to operate. Cleveland Clinic cardiologist Donald Vidt, MD, says the devices are worth the investment. He recommends checking your blood pressure three times a week, especially if youre taking medication to control hypertension.
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