When you get your high blood pressure under control, the pressure is off. You can relax a bit about increased cardiovascular risks associated with a blood pressure (BP) reading of more than 110/75 and an increased risk for dementia that's related to a reading of 125/85 or higher.

But the pressure can be off in another way — because of your arm position.

Johns Hopkins University researchers tested the BP reading obtained when your arm is supported on a desk, supported on your lap, and unsupported at your side. They found that a reading taken while your arm is resting on your lap will deliver a top (systolic) number that's around 4 mmHg higher than accurate.

An unsupported arm hanging at your side results in a top number nearly 7 mmHG higher than is accurate.

An arm supported on a desk or table provides an accurate reading.

Other ways to ensure an accurate reading include using an appropriately sized cuff positioned at mid-heart level, and having good back support while keeping your feet flat on the floor — not dangling from an exam table — with legs uncrossed.

If you do have elevated BP, there are 150 medications available. You can find one that has side effects you want (increased libido) and avoids those you don't want (fatigue).

You can also try inspiratory resistance training. Using a breathing gadget to take 30 breaths a day, six days a week for six weeks was shown to lower systolic BP by 9 points.