1. Reasons for using a blood pressure monitor

Hypertension usually has no symptoms, so many people with hypertension may not be aware of this, and some experts call it a silent killer. Untreated hypertension can damage organs over time and lead to stroke or heart disease. As blood pressure will constantly change according to what we do, experts suggest that people at risk or who with high blood pressure use blood pressure monitors at home.

Blood pressure is the force that presses the walls of our arteries as blood flows through the body. It is measured in two numbers, and the higher one is systolic blood pressure. This is the blood pressure when the heart beats and fills the arteries with blood. Diastolic pressure (lower one) is the blood pressure in the artery when the heart is at rest between beats. Normal numbers vary from person to person and from situation to situation within the same person. For a healthy adult, blood pressure between 120 and 80 is usually considered normal, but everyone’s physical condition is different. As many factors need to be considered, it is necessary to discuss with your doctor what is normal for you. By regularly monitoring blood pressure at home with a machines, we can also actively participate in our own care, track progress, and immediately know whether our antihypertensive drugs are effective.

Tips for using a machine at home

When using, you should avoid caffeine, tobacco, and alcohol for at least 30 minutes, and then test your blood pressure. And you need to go to the bathroom first because the bladder will affect the accuracy of the results. Before the test, support your back, put your feet on the floor, and sit quietly for 3 to 5 minutes without crossing your legs and ankles. Support the arm at the level of the heart, wrap the cuff around the exposed skin and complete the test as directed. When using a  monitor to measure pleasure, talking is forbidden. Repeat the test after a few minutes to test the accuracy.

First, use the monitor before taking medicine in the morning, and then monitor the blood pressure again in the evening for about a week. After you do this, please follow the schedule agreed by you and your doctor. After monitoring blood pressure, keep the result recorded, including the time of a day, and note any relevant special circumstances.