How to Use An Omron Wrist Blood Pressure Monitor

Hypertension is often called the silent killer. I think the reason for that title is that people can have high blood pressure (BP) for a long time without knowing it until it is diagnosed by a doctor or until it is too late. Statistics states 7 out of 10 people usually battle with uncontrolled high blood pressure. There are several home blood pressure monitors available for purchase that can help us learn to monitor our BP readings. Digital wrist blood pressure monitors are simple and easy to use. Let me tell you what to do.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Blood pressure monitor

1. The Omron Wrist Blood Pressure Monitor typically come as one piece. There is the main unit with wrist cuff attached, batteries, and the carrying case. It is compact and easy to carry with you to work or on a trip. According to the product description, the Omron wrist blood pressure monitor utilizes "IntelliSense Technology" which ensures the cuff inflates and deflates at optimum performance to ensure more accurate and reliable readings. Omron BP models HEM-637 and HEM-711 have a built-in memory feature to store readings and a built-in graph button to show the user the results in a graph format. Your physician might find the graph feature interesting but will definitely want to know your BP daily results, especially if your blood pressure is uncontrolled. this helps the doctor determine if the medication is working or if it needs to be changed to another type.

2. Do not eat, smoke or exercise for about 30 - 45 minutes before taking your blood pressure. Your heart rate need to be in its normal state of "no stress" before taking the reading as stress will give a higher reading.

3. Insert the batteries and set the monitor up as instructed in the user per manual.

4. Sit still and calm allowing your heart rate to come to a steady state before taking the reading. You can take your blood pressure reading using either the left arm or the right arm. If you want to take two readings, wait about 3 minutes sitting quietly before taking the second reading.

5. Wrap the cuff snugly around your wrist. this is important because if the cuff is not on snug enough, you either may not get a reading or the readings could be erroneous.

6. Press the start button and hold your elbow firmly as you adjust the height of your wrist is aligned with the "heart shape icon" on the monitor. You will know when you are aligned because it will start beeping, the symbol of a heart with an EKG graph in the center will show up on the display and the cuff will automatically start inflating. Keep still and don't talk. Just relax.

7. When the measurement is complete; the cuff deflates, and the heart rate, and the systolic/diastolic reading will appear. Press memory to save the reading or enter it into a manual log.

8. Always keep a record of your blood pressure and heart rate readings and take them with you when you visit your doctor. Remember, a large part of your health care is dependent on you. It is better for the doctor to see how your blood pressure looked the 30 days he did not see you then for him or her to assume your blood pressure is uncontrolled because you got upset driving in that day and high a high reading.

Tips & Warnings

• According to statistics, approximately one third of the human population has high blood pressure.
• Everybody have a 90% risk of acquiring it during their lifetime.
• As a result of high blood pressure, half of all human deaths are due to major complications caused by high blood pressure such as stroke and heart attack.

Resources

• Breathe Slowly - Live Longer
• How to Get Discount or Free Prescription Medications
• How to Age Gracefully
• How to Lose Fat and Boost Good Cholesterol Results
• How to Create a File for Tracking Daily Glucose Levels

[Desula]

on 8/5/2008 This is a great tutorial on using a wrist blood pressure machine.