You may have recently gone to your doctor and been diagnosed with High Blood pressure. He or she may have recommended that you change your diet and start taking medications. Your doctor has also asked you to take your blood pressure at home and make a record of the readings to bring back to your next appointment. He or she may want these readings to help adjust your medications or to see how your new reduced salt diet is doing.
But wait, you aren’t a doctor or nurse. You can not be expected to do a complicated medical assessment. Have no fear, you can do it. People like you take their blood pressure at home daily with ease and confidence.
There are two numbers that are important when taking your blood pressure the top or systolic and bottom or diastolic numbers . These are the amount of pressure that your heart exerts while contract and while at rest respectively.
There a number of blood pressure monitors to choose from. The low tech form is one in which you have a blood pressure cuff called a sphygmometer, and a stethoscope. This can be used by someone else to check your blood pressure or you can use it yourself. It is difficult to use this by yourself because of all of the items you most hold on your arm and it is sometimes hard to hear your pulse, especially if you have not been trained to do so.
In more recent times automatic blood pressure monitors have become available for home use. These monitors range in price and functions. The more functions it has and the more clinically accurate it is, the more you can expect to pay. That is not to say cheaper models are not accurate for home use. There are plenty of models that are moderately priced that can give you great results.
These automatic type monitors come in three main models; one for the upper arm, one for the wrist and even one for the finger. It is agreed among those who have tested them that the upper arm model is the most accurate.
The next real important thing to consider is the cuff size. You must find the right sized cuff to fit your arm for the most accurate readings. The sizes range from child size to extra large.
Some models record and keep a record of your readings. It is still a good idea to keep a written log in case something happens to your cuff like the batteries run out.
It is important to try to take your readings at the same time everyday unless otherwise recommended by your doctor. This gives a consistent reading as your blood pressure may fluctuate over the span of a day. Make sure your batteries are fresh so that they don’t cause inaccurate readings. Try to make sure you are not wearing a thick shirt or long sleeves as this may also affect the monitor’s ability to do a reading. Try to sit as still as possible when doing your daily reading.
Now you’re armed with the knowledge that with the right blood pressure cuff, blood pressure monitoring can be easy and accurate at home.
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High Blood Pressure & Travel InsuranceBlood pressure should be monitored closely because unchecked, high blood pressure, or hypertension as it is commonly known, can cause many health problems including death.
Why is Blood Pressure Important?There are now many accurate blood pressure monitors available, which can be purchased online quickly and cheaply.
Which Home Blood Pressure Monitor?High blood pressure can be treated. Evidence suggests lowering blood pressure reduces strokes, heart attacks, heart failure and kidney disease.
Lowering Your High Blood Pressure?Monitoring blood pressure helps to put you in control of your condition, giving you confidence any medicine or lifestyle changes you are making are working.
Measuring Your Blood Pressure?Copyright © 2012 Blood Pressure Monitor | Contact Us | Terms & Conditions | Privacy Policy Information is provided for educational purposes only and should not be relied upon for making medical or treatments decisions. All medical or treatment decisions should be made in consultation with your doctor.
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