How to Use Upper Arm Blood Pressure Monitor
Measuring blood pressure at home is a beneficial practice for maintaining a healthy lifestyle and effectively managing one’s blood pressure. Currently, individuals diagnosed with conditions such as diabetes and hypertension often opt to use a digital upper-arm blood pressure monitor in the comfort of their homes. Additionally, health - aware people regularly check their blood pressure to safeguard their well - being.
Despite the numerous advantages of home blood pressure monitors, users frequently question whether they are using the device correctly and obtaining accurate readings. After all, no matter how user - friendly and convenient a blood pressure monitor may be, it loses its value if it fails to provide precise measurements.
Table of Contents：
1.Will the assessment be as accurate as at the doctor’s office?
4.Preparation for Measuring the Blood Pressure
1.Will the assessment be as accurate as at the doctor’s office?
In recent years, doctors and healthcare providers have been actively encouraging patients to measure their blood pressure at home. This is due to the increasing recognition of phenomena such as white coat syndrome and masked hypertension. In the case of white coat syndrome, patients tend to have elevated blood pressure readings caused by anxiety in a clinical setting. Conversely, with masked hypertension, some patients' blood pressure appears normal only because they are in the presence of doctors. Although measuring blood pressure at a doctor's office is generally deemed more accurate, due to the impact of white coat syndrome and masked hypertension, doctors now also recommend that their patients measure blood pressure at home. To ensure accurate results and convenience, doctors provide them with specific instructions.
To measure our blood pressure accurately at home, we need to pay attention to some factors before and during the measurement. And if we pay very careful attention to these factors and features it is obvious that we can easily take our accurate blood pressure reading at home or anywhere by ourselves.
The most important thing before measuring your blood pressure is a clinically valid blood pressure device. Whether you are doing everything in the correct way in your home or you are in a doctor’s office if you don’t have a clinically valid Blood pressure monitor all the efforts will be in vain. So, it is very necessary to choose your monitor very carefully and check if it is clinically valid or not.
Another factor is to choose the right size of cuff according to your arm circumference if the cuff is too loose or too tight then the reading will in inaccurate.
In this case, Finicare blood pressure monitors can help you to have a clinically valid home blood pressure monitor with up to 42CM wide cuff.
4.Preparation for Measuring the Blood Pressure:
Now when you have a clinically valid BP monitor and you are going to assess your blood pressure before that you have to follow some instructions in order to take an accurate measurement.
4.1.Relaxation: The first and most important step for an accurate measurement is body relaxation before the measurement. If your body is not relaxed you will get inaccurate readings. So, sit in a quiet place with a relaxed mind and do not talk for 5 min beforehand.
4.2.Food & Drink: Always remember not to intake any kind of heavy meal, alcohol, caffeine, or energy drinks 30 min before the measurement. Also, avoid smoking 30 min prior to that time.
4.3.Empty Bladder: A full bladder will impact the reading. So, go to the bathroom and empty your bladder before taking the measurement.
4.4.Body Posture: Body posture needs to be straight and the back needs to be supported during the monitoring. Also, keep your feet on a flat surface and keep your measuring hand relaxed on a table during the reading. Always remember to keep your legs or ankles uncrossed
4.5.Cuff position: With the right size of cuff, it is also very important to wear the cuff on the level of your heart to ensure accurate measurement.
4.6.Cloths: While taking the reading it is recommended to keep a bare arm and not wear tight clothes.
It is also highly recommended to take your blood pressure readings at the same time each day and on the same arm. With an upper arm blood pressure monitor, accurately measuring your BP at home isn't overly challenging as long as patients adhere to the instructions and follow the doctor's advice. Using an upper arm BP monitor is the most convenient way to keep tabs on your blood pressure, enabling you to manage your health and lead a healthy life.
