Important Facts About Atrial Fibrillation (Af); What Is Atrial Fibrillation (Af); Who Should Be Screened For Atrial Fibrillation; Risk Factors You Can Control - Microlife BP A6 PC AFIB PC Manual

2. Important Facts about Atrial Fibrillation (AF)

What is Atrial Fibrillation (AF)?

Normally, your heart contracts and relaxes to a regular beat.
Certain cells in your heart produce electrical signals that cause the
heart to contract and pump blood. Atrial fibrillation occurs when
rapid, disorganized electrical signals are present in the heart's two
upper chambers, called the atria; causing them to contract irregu-
larly (this is called fibrillation). Atrial fibrillation is the most common
form of heart arrhythmia. It often causes no symptoms, yet it signif-
icantly increases your risk of stroke. You'll need a doctor to help
you control the problem.

Who should be screened for Atrial Fibrillation?

AF screening is recommended for people over 65 years of age,
since the chance of having a stroke increases with age. AF
screening is also recommended for people from the age of 50
years who have high blood pressure (e.g. SYS higher than 159 or
DIA higher than 99) as well as those with diabetes, coronary heart
failure or for those who have previously had a stroke.
In young people or in pregnancy AF screening is not recom-
mended as it could generate false results and unnecessary
anxiety. In addition, young individuals with AF have a low risk of
getting stroke as compared to elder people.
For more information visit our website: www.microlife.com/afib.
Microlife AFIB detection provides a convenient way to screen
for AF (only in AFIB/MAM mode)
Knowing your blood pressure and knowing whether you or your
family members have AF can help reduce the risk of stroke. Microlife
AFIB detection provides a convenient way to screen for AF whilst
taking your blood pressure.

Risk factors you can control

Early diagnosis of AF followed by adequate treatment can signifi-
cantly reduce the risk of getting stroke. Knowing your blood pres-
sure and knowing whether you have AF is the first step in proactive
stroke prevention.
3. Important Facts about Blood Pressure and Self-
Measurement
 Blood pressure is the pressure of the blood flowing in the
arteries generated by the pumping of the heart. Two values, the
systolic (upper) value and the diastolic (lower) value, are
always measured.
 The device indicates the pulse rate (the number of times the
heart beats in a minute).
BP A6 PC
 Permanently high blood pressure values can damage your
health and must be treated by your doctor!
 Always discuss your values with your doctor and tell him/her if
you have noticed anything unusual or feel unsure. Never rely
on single blood pressure readings.
 There are several causes of excessively high blood pressure
values. Your doctor will explain them in more detail and offer
treatment where appropriate. Besides medication, weight loss
and exercise can also lower your blood pressure.
 Under no circumstances should you alter the dosages of
drugs or initiate a treatment without consulting your doctor.
 Depending on physical exertion and condition, blood pressure
is subject to wide fluctuations as the day progresses. You
should therefore take your measurements in the same
quiet conditions and when you feel relaxed! Take at least
two readings every time (in the morning and in the evening) and
average the measurements.
 It is quite normal for two measurements taken in quick succes-
sion to produce significantly different results. Therefore we
recommend using the MAM technology.
 Deviations between measurements taken by your doctor or in
the pharmacy and those taken at home are quite normal, as
these situations are completely different.
 Several measurements provide much more reliable information
about your blood pressure than just one single measurement.
Therefore we recommend using the MAM technology.
 Leave a small break of at least 15 seconds between two
measurements.
 If you suffer from an irregular heartbeat, measurements taken
with this device should be evaluated with your doctor.
 The pulse display is not suitable for checking the
frequency of heart pacemakers!
 If you are pregnant, you should monitor your blood pressure
regularly as it can change drastically during this time.

This monitor is specially tested for use in pregnancy and
pre-eclampsia. When you detect unusual high readings in
pregnancy, you should measure after a short while again
(eg. 1 hour). If the reading is still too high, consult your
doctor or gynecologist.

4. Using the Device for the First Time

Inserting the batteries

Switch the lock switch AN to «unlock» position. The battery
compartment 5 is on the bottom of the device. Insert the batteries
(4 x 1.5 V, size AAA), thereby observing the indicated polarity.
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