About-Cardio
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We provide our users the most up-to-date and accurate information on the treatment and prevention of cardio pathologies in accordance with current American and European clinical guidelines.
The information provided on this website is for educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult a licensed physician for diagnosis and treatment.
Blood Pressure Monitors for Home Use
Introduction
Monitoring your blood pressure at home is a crucial step in managing hypertension and preventing cardiovascular complications. This lecture will guide you through selecting a reliable blood pressure monitor, using it correctly, and interpreting your readings.
Why Home Blood Pressure Monitoring is Important
- Helps track your blood pressure over time and detect trends.
- Provides valuable data for your doctor to adjust medications and treatment plans.
- Reduces the risk of cardiovascular diseases, including heart attacks and strokes.
- Helps diagnose white coat syndrome (high blood pressure in a medical setting) and masked hypertension (normal readings at the doctor's but high at home).
Types of Blood Pressure Monitors
- Upper-arm monitors (Recommended):
- More accurate than wrist or finger models.
- Comes with an automatic or manual cuff.
- Stores readings for future reference.
- Wrist monitors:
- More portable but often less accurate.
- Can be useful for some individuals who cannot use an upper-arm cuff.
- Finger monitors:
- Generally not recommended due to poor accuracy.
How to Choose a Reliable Blood Pressure Monitor
- Validated by medical organizations (e.g., American Heart Association, European Society of Hypertension).
- Cuff size matters – ensure it fits your upper arm.
- Easy-to-read display for clear reading visibility.
- Memory function to store past readings.
- Automated inflation for ease of use.
How to Measure Blood Pressure Correctly
- Avoid caffeine, smoking, or exercise 30 minutes before measurement.
- Sit in a quiet place with your back supported and feet flat on the floor.
- Rest for 5 minutes before taking a reading.
- Place the cuff on your bare upper arm – about 2 cm above the elbow crease.
- Keep your arm at heart level on a flat surface.
- Take two or three readings about one minute apart and average the results.
- Record the readings in a log or using a digital app.
Interpreting Your Blood Pressure Readings
- Normal Blood Pressure: Below 120/80 mmHg
- Elevated: 120-129/<80 mmHg
- Hypertension Stage 1: 130-139 / 80-89 mmHg
- Hypertension Stage 2: 140+/90+ mmHg
- Hypertensive Crisis: 180+/120+ mmHg (Seek emergency care!)
Conclusion
Regular at-home monitoring can provide critical information to manage your heart health effectively. Choose a validated blood pressure monitor, follow correct measurement techniques, and discuss your readings with your doctor regularly.
Source recommendations
1. American Heart Association Guidelines on Blood Pressure Monitoring
- https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/high-blood-pressure
- https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/HYP.0000000000000087
- https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/high-blood-pressure/understanding-blood-pressure-readings/monitoring-your-blood-pressure-at-home
- https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/hyp.0000000000000065
- https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/high-blood-pressure/understanding-blood-pressure-readings
2. European Society of Hypertension Recommendations for Home Blood Pressure Measurement
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12714851/
- https://www.eshonline.org/guidelines/blood-pressure-monitoring/
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20520631/
- http://www.dableducational.org/pdfs/esh_recommendations.pdf
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18622223/
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If you or your loved ones experience any of these symptoms, you should consult a doctor in time. Remember that self-medication can be dangerous, and timely diagnosis will preserve the quality and life expectancy.
The heart is an organ that does not know how to "keep silent" if something goes wrong. Chest pain, shortness of breath, swelling, dizziness, and rhythm disturbances are the symptoms that require our attention. The best prevention of heart disease is careful attention to your health, regular checkups with a doctor, and a healthy lifestyle. Take care of your heart, and it will serve you for many years!
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We monitor all innovations and changes in the field of cardiac disease treatment on a daily basis.
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Every 3-5 years, half of the scientific approaches to treatment in the field of cardiology are reviewed as a result of specialized scientific discoveries. With us, you don't have to wait these years to learn about the best ways to treat you and your loved ones.