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Hypertension - home monitoring
InformationYour doctor may ask you to keep track of your blood pressure at home. To do this, you will need to get a good quality, well-fitting home blood pressure monitor.
There are two types of monitors you can use at home: a manual monitor, and an electronic or digital monitor. A digital monitor is a better option. It is very important that you have a monitor with a cuff that fits your arm (above the elbow). Make sure that the cuff is the right size (one size does not fit all).
Practice using the monitor with your doctor or nurse to make sure you are taking your blood pressure correctly.
Ask your doctor to show you how to use the monitor. Your arm should be supported, with your upper arm at heart level and feet on the floor (back supported, legs uncrossed).
It's best to measure your blood pressure after you rest for at least 5 minutes. Do not take your blood pressure when you are under stress, have had caffeine or used a tobacco product in the last 30 minutes, or have recently exercised.
See: Measuring blood pressure for steps to take when measuring your blood pressure.
MANUAL BLOOD PRESSURE DEVICES
Manual devices include a cuff that wraps around your arm, a rubber squeeze bulb, and a gauge that measures the blood pressure. A stethoscope is needed to listen to the blood pulsing through the artery.
You can see your blood pressure on the circular dial of the gauge as the needle moves around and the pressure in the cuff rises or falls.
When used correctly, manual devices are very accurate. However, they are not the recommended type of blood pressure monitor for home use.
DIGITAL BLOOD PRESSURE DEVICES
A digital device will also have a cuff that wraps around your arm. To inflate the cuff, you may need to use a rubber squeeze ball, or simply push a button and the cuff will inflate by itself.
After the cuff is inflated, the pressure will slowly drop on its own. The screen will show a digital readout of your systolic and diastolic blood pressure.
After showing your blood pressure, the cuff will deflate on its own. With most machines, you must wait for 2 to 3 minutes before using it again.
A digital blood pressure monitor will not be as accurate if your body is moving when you are using it. Also, an irregular heart rate will make the reading less accurate. However, digital monitors are the best choice for most people.
ReferencesVictor RG. Systemic hypertension: mechanisms and diagnosis. In: Bonow RO, Mann DL, Zipes DP, Libby P, eds. Braunwald's Heart Disease: A Textbook of Cardiovascular Medicine. 9th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2011:chap 45.
Reviewed ByReview Date: 06/10/2011
David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine; and David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
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What are the most reputable blood pressure monitors?
The most reputable blood pressure monitors are those made by the USDA, or the United States Data Association who make such devices as blood pressure monitors.
What blood pressure monitor is most recommended by doctors?
There are many BP monitors and I have had many. Lloydspharmcy do excellent blood pressure monitors for £10.00 and they are the same accuracy as the £100.00 blood pressure monitors more information CAN be found if you google search how accurate are the lloydspharmacy blood pressure monitors
Where can one buy home health equipment?
Home health equipment can be purchased from many good pharmacies such as Boots. One can find blood pressure monitoring equipment, heart rate monitors, cholesterol testing kits, and blood glucose monitors.
What is the technical term for a blood pressure monitor and where do I get one?
There is no technical term for a blood pressure monitor. You can buy them at www.consumersearch.com/blood-pressure-monitors or shopping.yahoo.com/blood-pressure-monitors/ A blood pressure monitor is simply known as such. You can get a blood pressure monitor online at sites liek Ebay and Amazon,you can also purchase one at the local Walmart.
Where could one buy a cheap automactic blood pressure monitor?
Automatic blood pressure monitors are available at numerous online and physical stores. Automatic blood pressure monitors are available at Wal-Mart, Target, Walgreens, and CVS.
Are there any disadvantages of personal wrist blood pressure monitors as compared to arm monitors?
Arm monitors are more accurate than wrist monitors. Tests have shown that wrist devices do not measure blood pressure very accurately and are extremely sensitive to position and body temperature.
Can I measure my blood pressure accurately at home, and how?
Checking your BP at home is an important step in managing high blood pressure. There are two types of home blood pressure monitors: Manual and digital. I would probably talk to my doctor to get the best fit for myself. Your doctor could probably also give you a tutorial on BP monitor use. See mayoclinic.com for more.
What does the anesthesiologist do in the OR?
he administrates the anesthia on the patient and monitors the heart rate and blood pressure before,during, and after the surgical procedure. he administrates the anesthia on the patient and monitors the heart rate and blood pressure before,during, and after the surgical procedure.
Does Amazon offer blood pressure monitors at a good price?
Yes, Amazon has a large selection of blood pressure monitors at a reasonable prices. Depending on your needs and budget, you should be able to find one that suits your needs.
What are some of the most highly rated blood pressure monitors available on the market today?
You can find the most highly rated blood pressure monitors at the following website that I will provite you, http://www.amazon.com/gp/top-rated/hpc/3777151.
Blood pressure more about low blood pressure?
you can read Home remedies of low blood pressure at medicaldice.com
Best Blood Pressure Monitor?
High blood pressure is called the silent killer because one out of four people has it and does not know it. To help monitor this problem, you can purchase a blood test monitor to use at home from your local pharmacy or online. There are two kinds of blood pressure monitors: an upper arm monitor and a wrist monitor. They come in digital and non-digital types.Find top blood pressure monitorsAccording to ZonaBestGuide", a YouTube video, the top five best blood pressure monitors for 2011 are: Omron HEM 712C, ADC Aneroid, Omron HEM 780, Omron HEM 711 and Omron HEM 790IT. Details of these monitors are on the Amazon website. Prices of each vary depending upon what store you purchase them from and whether you purchase them online or in a store; they range from $40 on up.To stay healthy, it is important for you to check your blood pressure regularly. Get more information on Omron ProductsYou can also go to the Omron website, www.omronhealthcare.com, to see the latest blood pressure monitors and get more information on its products. Omron states, "All Omron blood pressure monitors are clinically proven accurate."Best monitorAccording to www.highbloodpressureinfo.org, the best home blood pressure monitor in the USA is the upper-arm model Omron HEM 711AC. This model is reported as very accurate. The IntelliSense can sense your systolic and diastolic pressure throughout the day and adjust the inflation to your personal requirements. Therefore, you get no more inaccurate readings from over-inflation!Prevent hypertensionThe blood pressure range for healthy people is below 120/80. Hypertension is 140/90 and above. People with hypertension in their family have a higher risk of developing high blood pressure themselves, as well as people over the age of 40 years old, people who are overweight, people who are sedentary, women who take birth control pills and African Americans. The best way to prevent hypertension is to get your blood pressure taken regularly, whether you do this at home or go to your doctor.Take good care of yourself and get your blood pressure checked regularly so that you can take care of your family."
