Blood pressure is the force exerted by circulating blood on the walls of blood vessels. It is one of the fundamental signs used to assess a person's state of health. Each time the heart beats, it pumps blood into the arteries. Blood pressure is created by the force and amount of blood pumped out by the heart combined with the amount of resistance to blood flow in the arteries. The heart works in a regular repeating pattern called the cardiac cycle. It has two phases:
1. Systole: This is when the heart muscles contract and pump out blood. The highest pressure reached during the contraction is the systolic pressure.
2. Diastole: This is when the heart relaxes and refills with blood. The lowest pressure in the arteries during this phase is called the diastolic pressure.
A Non-invasive Blood Pressure Monitors reading typically indicates a systolic pressure over diastolic pressure, expressed in millimeters of mercury (mmHg). For example, a reading of 120/80 mmHg would be a normal resting blood pressure, with a systolic pressure of 120 mmHg and diastolic pressure of 80 mmHg.
Types of Non-invasive Blood Pressure Monitors
There are various types of Non-Invasive Blood Pressure Monitors Size available that differ in features, accuracy, placement on the body, and suitability for home use. Let's look at some of the most common types:
1. Wrist Blood Pressure Monitor: As the name suggests, these mount a cuff around the wrist. They are compact, lightweight, and convenient for day-to-day home monitoring. However, wrist readings are generally less accurate than arm readings as blood vessels in the wrist are more complex.
2. Upper Arm Blood Pressure Monitor: These are the most common type. An inflatable cuff wraps around the upper arm. It is considered the gold standard for accuracy as the brachial artery in the arm mimics measurements taken in a clinical setting more closely.
3. Finger Blood Pressure Monitor: A small cuff wraps around the finger. They have the advantage of being very portable. However, finger readings can be affected more easily by body temperature, activity levels, and medical conditions affecting circulation. Accuracy tends to be lower compared to arm monitors.
4. Multi-Function Watch Blood Pressure Monitor: Some smartwatches now feature blood pressure monitoring capabilities in addition to functions like step counting. Similar to wrist monitors in placement and portability benefits but accuracy may be lower for medical-grade readings.
5. Automated Blood Pressure Monitor: Mostly used in clinical settings, these operate without the need for a human to auscultate or listen for Korotkoff sounds. An inflatable cuff and electronic sensors take the pressure readings automatically. Considered highly accurate.
Factors Affecting Accuracy of Readings
Several factors need to be kept in mind as they can impact the accuracy of blood pressure readings from non-invasive monitors:
1. Cuff Size - The cuff must be fitted appropriately to the arm circumference for accurate readings. Too small a cuff can give artificially high readings.
2. Body Position - One should be comfortably seated with back supported, feet flat on the floor and arm resting at heart level. Elevated or dangling arms can affect flow.
3. Recent Activity - Readings after exercise or physical exertion may be elevated until the body fully recovers. It's best to monitor after 5 minutes of rest.
4. Caffeine/Nicotine - Consuming coffee, tea, soda or smoking shortly before can temporarily raise BP levels inaccurately.
5. Environment - Readings in a noisy, crowded place may be higher than usual due to stress. A quiet, comfortable space is preferable.
6. Accuracy Validation - Home devices should be checked against periodically against a verified clinical monitor to ensure readings remain aligned over time.
Managing Hypertension with Home Monitoring
Non-invasive home monitors enable convenient self-monitoring and better management of hypertension (high blood pressure). Some benefits include:
- Helping identify patterns and assess effectiveness of medications. Lifestyle adjustments can be optimized based on daily readings.
- Detecting blood pressure "spikes" that may not be apparent at doctor visits which are typically based on 1-2 readings.
- Providing more data to the physician to track progress and adjust anti-hypertensive drug therapies accordingly for better control.
- Enabling those at risk of hypertension to monitor their levels regularly as part of proactive healthcare rather than reactive approaches.
- Serving as a useful adjunct to office visits rather than a replacement for occasional clinical assessments which may involve additional tests.
- Supplying motivation to maintain a healthy lifestyle and medication adherence when daily or weekly readings can be tracked over time.
With prudent usage and validation against medical-grade devices, home monitors allow for improved hypertension self-care and management in cooperation with the healthcare team. They empower patients to play a proactive role in treatment.
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About Author:
Money Singh is a seasoned content writer with over four years of experience in the market research sector. Her expertise spans various industries, including food and beverages, biotechnology, chemical and materials, defense and aerospace, consumer goods, etc.
