About Blood Pressure; What Is Blood Pressure; Why Measure Your Blood Pressure; Blood Pressure Standard - HoMedics BPA-060 Manual

ABOUT BLOOD PRESSURE

What is Blood Pressure?

Blood pressure is the pressure exerted on the artery
walls while blood flows through the arteries. The pressure
measured when the heart contracts and sends blood out of
the heart is systolic (highest) blood pressure. The pressure
measured when the heart dilates with blood flowing back
into the heart is called diastolic (lowest) blood pressure.

Why Measure Your Blood Pressure?

Among today's various health problems, those associated
with high blood pressure are very common. High blood
pressure dangerously correlates with cardiovascular
diseases. Therefore, blood pressure monitoring is
important for identifying those at risk.

BLOOD PRESSURE STANDARD

The table on page 6 contains defined levels for hypertension
that are publicly available from the National Heart Lung and
Blood Institute at the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH)
(http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/dci/Diseases/Hbp/HBP_WhatIs.html)
Users can compare their own blood pressure readings
against these defined levels to determine if they may be
potentially at increased risk.
This table is applicable to most adults aged 18 and older.
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Blood pressure tends to go up and down, even in people
who normally don't have high readings. If your numbers
stay above the "normal" range most of the time, you may
be at increased risk and should consult your physician.
Category
Systolic (mmHg)
Normal Less than 120
Prehypertension 120-139
High Blood Pressure
Stage 1 140-159
Stage 2 160 or higher
Although one can easily find where their own blood
pressure readings fall on this table, this monitor comes
equipped with a Risk Category Index that automatically
compares each reading to the defined levels and provides
a helpful cue if your reading falls into one of the stages that
could potentially indicate increased risk. See page 21 for
more information on this feature.
Please note that cues provided by this monitor are only
intended to assist you in using this table. The table and
cues are only provided for convenience to help you
understand your non-invasive blood pressure reading as it
relates to the NIH information. They are not a substitute for
a medical examination by your physician. It is important for
you to consult with your physician regularly. Your physician
will tell you your normal blood pressure range as well as the
point at which you may actually be considered to be at risk.
Diastolic (mmHg)
and Less than 80
or 80-89
or 90-99
or 100 or higher
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