Your blood pressure is one of the most important measurements of your health, and understanding these numbers may help you keep your blood pressure under better control.

The American Academy of Family Physicians and the National Institutes of Health offer the following tips to help ensure that you get an accurate blood pressure reading:

• Avoid caffeine, alcohol, and tobacco for 30 minutes before your blood pressure is measured.
   
• Sit comfortably for five minutes, without speaking, before the measurement.
   
• Make sure your back is supported and your legs and ankles are not crossed.
   
• Use the restroom before taking the measurement, since having a full bladder can affect the reading.
   
• Make sure your arm is resting on a surface–like a table–that's level with your heart during the reading.

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