People with high blood pressure were advised by the American Heart Association to have their own home monitor and to do regular pressure checks. It was estimated that 72 million Americans suffer from this affection and only a third of them have it under control.

An individual is considered hypertensive when his pressure reaches more than 140/90. The disorder appears when blood pulses too forcefully through vessels, which can damage the heart, kidneys and other organs. It is frequent as people age and can be a cause for heart attacks, strokes and death.

The AHA suggested that it is not enough to have it verified few times a year, when seeing a doctor. In the announcement they made on Thursday they also added that by home constant control one has a better idea of his risk for heart diseases and stroke. This publicly made recommendation is meant to help to the improvement of treating high blood pressure.

"We need new approaches. Our current approach is simply not working," said Dr. David Goff, a preventive medicine specialist at Wake Forest University and one of the contributors to the guidelines.

The devices are sold on the Internet and in pharmacies for $50 to $100. Insurance agencies usually don't cover their cost.

Specialists also provided some recommendations as regards the methodology one should follow when measuring his blood pressure for himself. Two or three readings should be taken at a time, one minute apart, while sitting and being relaxed. The arm should be supported, with the upper arm at heart level and feet on the floor.