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BLOOD PRESSURE MONITORS

Hypertension: the silent killer

Hypertension is sometimes called ‘the silent killer' because often, there are no obvious symptoms to indicate that blood pressure has become abnormally high. If not treated in time, possible consequences are numerous, ranging from circulatory disorders, arteriosclerosis and kidney failure to stroke or heart attack.

More commonly known as high blood pressure, hypertension is today's most widespread ailment, affecting some 20% of people around the world. In many countries, up to 50% of people over 60 years old are sufferers.

Identifying hypertension

High blood pressure is often linked to such common risk factors as stress, being overweight, smoking and diabetes, but can of course also be a hereditary condition.
If your lifestyle puts you at risk or if there is a history of hypertension in your family, regular measurement to check your blood pressure levels is very important. It is also strongly recommended as a preventive measure, so you can be assured that everything is ok. You can do this by using one of the Omron digital blood pressure monitors which are validated by the British Hypertension Society.

Dealing with hypertension

Everyone is different, but if hypertension is identified and treated before it causes other complications, the chances of recovery are good. If you need medication, follow your doctor's instructions carefully. If no medication is needed, consider yourself lucky - there are many things you can do to lower your blood pressure and help you feel great at the same time.


Understanding blood pressure

Each day our heart pumps 8,000 litres of blood through our body – a remarkable feat that is necessary not only to supply us with oxygen, nutrients, vitamins and minerals, but also to remove the waste products of cell metabolism. The pressure created by the heart to pump blood through the blood vessels is termed blood pressure. Its level depends on the heart's rate of work and the resistance in the blood vessels.

When the heart muscle contracts the blood surges through the arteries and the systolic blood pressure value occurs. The diastolic value is the resting pressure before the heart contracts again.

The body's blood pressure does not remain constant, but fluctuates all the time. Thus, its daytime level is different from night-time. Physical exertion, emotional change or cold, for example, also cause it to rise temporarily.

High blood pressure – hypertension - is the term used when your blood pressure remains abnormally high this can be checked at home with an Omron blood pressure monitor

A brief look at the statistics clearly shows the relationship between hypertension and cardiovascular diseases. Approximately 70% of people who died from heart attack or other heart ailments suffered from high blood pressure

Measuring blood pressure

Since a variety of conditions affect blood pressure, a single measurement is seldom sufficient for an accurate diagnosis. Factors like physical activity, drinking, eating or time of day can all influence blood pressure. Typically low in the morning, it generally increases from afternoon to evening. It is also lower in the summer and higher in the winter.

You can have your blood pressure measured by your doctor, or you can do it yourself with one of the Omron blood pressure monitors. When the doctor measures your blood pressure the reading is often higher than at home because the unfamiliar, and often stressful surroundings of the doctor's surgery can cause an artificially high reading. Doing it yourself with an Omron blood pressure monitor gives you the advantage of taking measurements at fixed times of the day at your convenience.

Knowing which blood pressure monitors to trust

Independent organisations like the British Hypertension Society (BHS) and the Association of the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation (AAMI) have recommended the Omron blood pressure monitors. These Omron monitors have undergone tests according to these protocols and were found to be recommendable for clinical use are clinically validated.


Omron digital blood pressure monitors are validated by the the British Hypertension Society.


A guide to measuring your own blood pressure using an Omron blood pressure monitor.

When measuring your own blood pressure there are some basic rules to follow. These are easy to learn and so applying them at home will quickly become a routine.

As much as possible, conditions during measurement should always be the same. Therefore, choose the same time of day to measure your blood pressure and always note down any medication you are taking together with the date and time. This is important as certain therapies prescribed by your doctor will help prevent your blood pressure from increasing too much.

After your values have stabilised, monitoring twice a week is sufficient. Your physical state should also be the same for each measurement: i.e. in a relaxed, sitting position – at least half an hour since your last cup of coffee, physical exertion or after a stressful situation. In all cases you should consult your doctor about the optimum time for measurement, taking into account your personal daily routine.

The measurement is almost always taken on the left upper arm, but your doctor may advise otherwise. It is important for the cuff to be fitted around your arm on a level with your heart. When you have the readings displayed on your screen, note them down and discuss them with your doctor during your next visit.