Did you know that...

• the number of deaths from cardiovascular diseases in the Czech republic is among the highest ones not only in Europe, but also in the whole world?
• hypertension is one of the most severe risk factors for ischaemic heart disease and strokes?
• about 25% of adult population suffer from hypertension (systolic blood pressure is higher than 140 mmHg and diastolic blood pressure is higher than 90 mmHg) and treated for high blood pressure?
• almost 80% of Czechs have hypertension, but they are not treated for it?

..and that is the great danger of hypertension. It is quite common that people suffering from it do not experience any difficulties and the disease develops unseen. In case it is not discovered, it can lead to acute myocardial infarction or cerebrovascular accident.

Blood pressure...

...is the pressure exerted by circulating blood upon the walls of blood vessels. Systolic blood pressure is generated during heart contractions. Diastolic blood pressure is generated when a heart is relaxing.

Blood pressure is measured in milimeters of mercury (mmHg) and it is recorded in a particular way - first we write the value of systolic pressure followed by a slash and than the value of diastolic pressure. For example 120 mmHg of systolic blood pressure and 80 mmHg of diastolic blood pressure is recorded like this: 120 / 80. In accordance with the latest guidelines from ESC/ESH (2003, 2007), ČSH (2004, 2007) and BHS (2006) the following norms were set to determine blood pressure:

Manners of blood pressure measurement

The best-known apparatus for measuring blood pressure is a mercury tonometer. However, it is very inconvenient for using at home, because it requires a specially educated operator. Measuring itself is technically very difficult, the fragility of the apparatus and rather large amount of poisonous mercury make the tonometer dangerous.

Modern digital tonometers are very convenient for users, they are easy to use and you can measure your blood pressure without any difficulties. Thanks to their additional functions it is possible to observe and analyse measured values of blood pressure.

The advantages of home blood pressure monitoring

Clinical trials proved that it is easier to detect and cure hypertension if you measure your blood pressure at home regularly and share the results with a doctor.

Blood pressure measurement at the doctor's or in a hospital may evoke fear (white coat syndrome) and thus cause the blood pressure to rise. Home blood pressure monitoring reduces the influence of the environment, it also complements blood pressure measurement at the doctor's and provides more accurate and more complex information on blood pressure.

Numerous factors such as age, weight, time, physical activities, diet, some medicaments and emotional stress may affect blood pressure. Find out yourselves that blood pressure monitoring is beneficial!

When you come home

Before you start: read the manual which you get with your BP monitor. It will give you more useful advice for successful monitoring.

Important instructions for home blood pressure measurement

Sit down and relax for 5 - 10 minutes before the measurement.

Lay your hand on the table so that the cuff on the hand or the monitor on the wrist is at the same level as the heart. This is necessary for getting right results using wrist type monitors.

Get rid of the pieces of clothing and jewellery which could affect the measurement. Next measurement should not be taken sooner than after 10 - 15 minutes, because it is necessary for the blood circulation to get back to normal.

Do not forget the fact that blood pressure is a very changeable quantity which changes with every heartbeat and which can be affected for ex. by mental state. That is why we recommend monitoring the blood pressure every day at the same time to gain comparable results. We also recommend taking three measurements with about 5 minute breaks between them and then find the average.

The following chart shows how blood pressure changes during the day. Values were measured in 5 minute intervals. A thin line from 0 to 8 hours represents the sleep. The rises of blood pressure at the points A and B represent pain and sexual activity.

The use of a wrist blood pressure monitor

Blood pressure monitoring by means of a wrist monitor is comfortable and effective, however it is not suitable for everyone. The inaccuracy of the measurement is not caused by the imprecission of the monitor, but by the method itself.

The position of the monitor in reference to the heart is very important for the measurement. A change of the position means automatically a change of the results. The flexibility of vessels and arteries may also affect the results.

If you want to use the wrist blood pressure monitor, you should take the following advice:

• measure your blood pressure several times with an upper-arm and a wrist blood pressure monitor. If the results of the methods differ by less than 10%, you can use the wrist monitor
• monitor your blood pressure always under similar conditions and in the same position
• do not compare results gained by different measurement methods. If you make a long-term analysis of blood pressure, compare just the data gained from measurements taken by means of the same method.
• other recommendations are the same as those for an upper-arm blood pressure monitor

Keep your heart in a good shape!!!

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