​High blood pressure (also known as hypertension) increases your risk of stroke, heart disease and other serious health complications if left unchecked. 

The blood pressure reading of a healthy adult should be lower than 120/80 mmHg (millimetres of mercury). A blood pressure of 140/90 mmHg or higher indicates high blood pressure.

Doctors recommend checking your blood pressure at least once a year (and more if you are on medication). 

A blood pressure reading can be divided into parts: Upper blood pressure (systolic), lower blood pressure (diastolic) and pulse rate. Ideally, the upper blood pressure (systolic) reading should be below 140 and the lower blood pressure (systolic) reading should be below 90.

If you have diabetes, heart disease, stroke or kidney disease, your upper blood pressure (systolic) reading should be below 130 and the lower blood pressure (systolic) reading should be below 80.

Having a blood pressure monitor at home lets you check your blood pressure so at your convenience. Here's how to use it.

How to monitor your blood pressure at home: Begin by preparing your blood pressure set, blood pressure chart and a pen/pencil. Sit down for 5mins and relax (keeping both feet on the ground). Connect the tubing to the set and spread the arm cuff open.

With the tubing pointing downwards, slide your arm into the cuff. Wrap the cuff snugly over your arm. Do not wrap it around your clothes. Ensure that the arrow is pointing down in front and the lower edge of the cuff is about 1cm to 2cm from your elbow. Rest your arm on a table at roughly the same height as your heart. Avoid bending your elbow. Press the "Start" button and relax.

Keep still while your blood pressure is being taken. Do not talk or move while taking your blood pressure. Record your blood pressire readings from the display window.