Hypertension is a common cardiovascular condition that can lead to a number of health problems, including heart disease, stroke, and even death. If your doctor or general practitioner (GP) feels that it is necessary, they may recommend that you take regular blood pressure measurements at home. They will then use these measurements to determine if you are at risk of developing hypertension or other health conditions, and make treatment plans.
However, even if you are well and not at risk for developing hypertension or other health conditions, regular blood pressure checks at home can be useful in your own health records and management.
Home blood pressure monitoring can be especially useful for those who have been diagnosed with hypertension or hypertension, people who have been identified as at risk, individuals who have just started treatment for hypertension, and pregnant women who have been diagnosed with pregnancy-induced hypertension or preeclampsia.
Benefits of regularly monitoring blood pressure at home
a. Help with early hypertension diagnosis
Some symptoms of high blood pressure include common ones such as headaches or dizziness. Regular blood pressure monitoring will help you know if the symptoms are due to other factors, or potentially an early onset hypertension.
b. Understand and control your condition better
Measuring your blood pressure at home allows you to understand how your blood pressure changes throughout the day and week. It can also help you better manage your health in terms of lifestyle changes as well, and let your doctor have a better picture of how your blood pressure is from day to day.
c. Identify potentially false readings
Some people only get high blood pressure readings at the doctor’s office, perhaps due to the stress of being in a medical setting. This is known as ‘white coat hypertension’, and is just a temporary high blood pressure. Regular blood pressure monitoring at home will be able to show a more accurate picture.
d. Monitor the effectiveness of treatment
Regular monitoring at home is one of the best ways to see if your medicine or treatment is working well to bring your blood pressure down. It will also allow your doctor to adjust your drug or dosage as needed, or to develop a better treatment program for you based on the recorded outcomes.
Tips to get an accurate blood pressure reading
- Use the blood pressure monitor as per the instructions
- Choose a place without distractions, so you can be comfortable and relaxed
- Avoid tea or coffee, and do not smoke at least 30 minutes before measuring your blood pressure
- When you sit, make sure your back and arm are supported
- Have your feet flat on the floor and legs uncrossed
- Take your blood pressure measurements at least twice each time, with each reading about 1 minute apart
- Try to measure your blood pressure around the same time of the day, in the same way and under similar conditions
- Write the measurements down in a place where you can easily compare all readings
- Do not take your blood pressure reading when you are stressed or in pain
Accurate home blood pressure monitors available at Anyscales
A&D UB-511 Wrist Blood Pressure Monitor
This is a compact, lightweight blood pressure monitor that is ideal for people who travel or who are always on the move. This wrist monitor has a comfortable and easy-to-wrap wrist cuff, and comes with both Irregular Heartbeat Indicator as well as Blood Pressure Classification Indicator. Other features include fast measurement along with inflation, 30 memory + average reading, and 3 years warranty.
A&D UB-542 Wrist Blood Pressure Monitor
This wrist blood pressure monitor comes in a stylish slim body and has an extra-large LCD for easy viewing. Its clock and calendar function allows you to recall your morning (AM) or afternoon (PM) measurements, as well as view your average. Other features include fast measurement along with inflation, Irregular Heart Beat Indicator, Blood Pressure Classification Indicator, 90 memory + average reading, and 3 years warranty.
A&D UA-782 Blood Pressure Monitor
Specially designed for women, this automatic blood pressure monitor is not just attractive but also accurate and reliable. The semi-hard shell cuff is easy to fasten around the arm, and can take in a wider arm range – 17 to 32cm. The blood pressure monitor also comes with a cuff holder that is useful for storage purposes. Other features include fast measurements, Irregular Heart Beat Indicator, Blood Pressure Classification Indicator, and 90-reading memory.
Weighing scales for health management
Besides blood pressure monitors, it is useful to have other equipment to monitor and manage your health, including weighing scales.
At Anyscales, we offer a wide range of personal weighing scales, including the Anyscale DT05-DC Dual Chart Personal Scale. This scale has 160kg capacity with 1kg accuracy, and is a mechanical scale with no batteries needed. It is simple to operate, and has both kg and lb on a clear dial. It comes in Chrome finish, with a good sized foot print to stand on.
To find out more about our health scales, please visit our website. You can also contact our team at 1300 738 705, or email [email protected]
