A&D Premier UA-1020 Instruction Manual page 13

ABOUT BLOOD PRESSURE
ANSWERS TO WHY YOUR READINGS ARE DIFFERENT BETWEEN HOME AND
AT THE DOCTOR'S OFFICE
Why are my readings different between home and at a doctor's office?
Your blood pressure readings taken in a doctor's office or hospital setting may be
elevated as a result of apprehension and anxiety. This response is known as white
coat hypertension.
When I bring my monitor to a doctor's office, why do I get a different
measurement from my monitor to that taken by a doctor or nurse?
The healthcare professional may be using a different sized cuff. The size of the
bladder inside the cuff is critical for the accuracy of the measurement. This may
give you a different reading. A cuff too large will produce a reading that is lower
than the correct blood pressure; a cuff that is too small will produce a reading that
is higher than the correct blood pressure. There may also be other factors that can
cause the difference in measurements.
KEYS TO SUCCESSFUL MONITORING:
Blood pressure fluctuates throughout the day. We recommend that you are
consistent in your daily measurement routine:
• Measure at the same time every day.
• Sit in the same chair/position.
• Do not cross legs and keep your feet flat on the floor.
• Relax for several minutes before measurement.
• Use the correct cuff size to get an accurate reading.
• Sit still during measurement – no talking, eating or sudden movements.
• Record your measurement in a logbook.
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ESTABLISHING BASELINE MEASUREMENTS
The most important method to get an accurate blood pressure measurement
is consistency. To get the most benefit out of your monitor, it is important
to establish a "baseline measurement." This helps build a foundation of
measurements that you can use to compare against future readings. To build
this baseline measurement, devote two weeks for consistent blood pressure
monitoring. This involves doing everything the same way when you measure
(e.g. measuring during the same time of day, in the same location, sitting in
the same chair, using the same cuff, etc.). Once you establish your baseline
measurement, you can start evaluating if your measurement has been affected
based on things like lifestyle changes or medication treatment.
HOW DO I RECORD MY BLOOD PRESSURE?
Blood pressure readings are typically recorded with the systolic pressure written
first, followed by a slash mark and the diastolic pressure. For example,
120 mmHg systolic and 80 mmHg diastolic measurements are written as 120/80.
Pulse is simply written with the letter "P" followed by the pulse rate—P 72,
for example. Please see the back of the manual for the blood pressure tracking
record.
CUSTOMER SUPPORT TOOLS ONLINE
Additional tools are available on www.andmedical.com to help you get the most
out of your blood pressure monitoring. These include:
• Large Print Instruction Manuals
• Animated Operating Instructions
• Additional Logbook Sheets
In Canada - Auto Control Medical (Toll-Free): 1-800-461-0991
ABOUT BLOOD PRESSURE
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