About Blood Pressure; Blood Pressure Standard - HoMedics BPW-370BT Instruction 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 22 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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