[Angakuk]

I was on medication to control my hypertension for over ten years. With diet and exercise I was able to get off the medication. When I first started to ween myself off the meds (with my Doctor's approval) I took my blood pressure every day just to make sure that things were not going to go south on me. I now take it once a week, first thing in the morning before engaging in any activity. That provides me with something called a "fundamental blood pressure reading". I have one of those blood pressures cuffs that fits around the wrist. It is pretty accurate (I tested it against the reading at the doctor's office) and very simple to use.

TLR, you might want try the same thing. The cuff is not very expensive and it is easy to use.

I also get a check up twice a year because I am on medication to lower my cholesterol. I have some hope that the diet and exercise will eventually correct that problem as well.