Blood pressure refers to the pressure created when blood is pumped by the heart into the circulatory system i.e. through arteries. When this pressure stays elevated for some time it's called as High blood pressure. The medical term for high blood pressure is hypertension.

The most reliable way to monitor blood pressure is directly within an artery, but as this method involves direct invasion it is not recommended for routine check ups.

The other way to monitor blood pressure is with the use of various instruments which include use of mercury or a pressure registering equipment, these products are readily available in the market and can easily used by individuals without a doctors assistance.

But it's known that prevention is better than cure and here are a few ways to control blood pressure:

" Check your weight: appropriate weight refers to ones weight in accordance to ones height and age. One can check the normal weight for an individual and therein decide how much he/she is under/over weight. If weight is needed to be reduced then measures should be taken like exercise, diet etc...

" Physical activity: every individual should engage in physical activity for 30 minutes everyday. A few effective physical activities are walking, jogging etc.. other than this one should combine every day activities with moderate level sporting activities like playing volleyball or may be cycling, or jogging

" Have a healthy eating plan: to control blood pressure diet is very important a healthy eating plan will include food which is low on saturated fat, total fat and cholesterol and would be high in fruits, vegetables and low fat dairy products.

"Lower contain of sodium in food: it's an effective measure to control blood pressure in eating plan use of salt and other sodium rich products must be reduced and in order to add flavor one can use onions, garlic and spices.

"Alcohol discipline: alcohol not only increases blood pressure but also adds on to the calorie intake. So its prescribed to consume alcohol in moderate amounts may be 1 drink a day for women and 2 for men.

" Follow your prescription religiously: if one has been prescribed to intake drugs as a measure to control blood pressure by a doctor the individual should follow the schedule without failure. The manner in which it is to be consumed and the time and quantity advised should be taken care of and must be followed religiously as health is the only god gifted wealth.

Just remember a few precautions can help you be healthy and lead a good life!!