Blood Pressure Monitor Types And Kinds
There are many kinds of blood pressure cuffs on the market and that is a good thing since more and more Americans are discovering just how important knowing what your blood pressure is. For many, knowing and monitoring blood pressure can actually make the difference of life and death, especially now that heart disease and heart attacks are on the rise.
Checking your blood pressure is just part of the solution to keeping a healthy heart. Along with the blood pressure cuff, your life expectancy can be increased if you also practice healthy lifestyle habits. A reading of 120/80 is considered normal range and higher than that you fall under the “at risk” category. If your reading is over 140 you are in the high blood pressure category.
If you discover that your blood pressure is in the risky range, then you will need to schedule a trip to your doctor for a wellness check. On this visit, your physician will be able to give you a stress test, to see how well your heart is functioning. He or she will also be able to advise you on lifestyle changes you may need to make.
The easiest ways to lead a healthier life is to exercise and change your diet. A doctor will be able to give more specific recommendations and tell you what you are able to do.
Your doctor may want you to monitor your blood pressure and heart rate at home, in which case you will need to find a monitor that is easy to use. Your doctor will be able to give you advise on how to find one that will provide you with accurate results.
You can choose between digital and aneroid blood pressure monitors and knowing the difference between those kinds will make it easier for you to decide what to buy. The easiest way to choose a monitor is to find one that meets your personal needs.
The first monitor is very inexpensive and user-friendly and is called the aneroid monitor. A word of caution is that they are extremely sensitive and are damaged and broken easily, plus you need a stethoscope connected to a cuff.
The digital blood pressure monitor is roughly the same size as a cell phone and some of them come connected with an arm cuff. The cuff will measure the blood pressure and that is what is displayed on the monitor. There are even some models with which you can print out the results or they have memory and let you store the last readings.
Even though the digital kind of monitor is easier to use, they are also more expensive. It basically is a choice between paying more right at the start or taking a chance with a less expensive monitor and risking having to replace it if it should break.
There are two other types which may be convenient but are not very reliable thus could be dangerous for your health. They are the finger monitor or wrist monitor, though easy to use, not reliable.
Once you have started to monitor your own blood pressure, you will also have to keep a chart of the results. This will help your doctor to properly evaluate your blood pressure readings. In order to ensure accuracy of the readings taken at home, you should avoid drinking alcohol and caffeine, as well as avoid smoking. That is because all of those substances will create an artificial elevation of your blood pressure.
Make sure you are also in a relaxed position to get the best reading. Even mild stress can elevate your reading.
If you have been diagnosed with hypertension, keeping a blood pressure monitor handy can help you find ways to get an accurate reading to benefit your health.
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