ABOUT BLOOD PRESSURE
Establishing Baseline Measurements
The most important method to get an accurate blood pressure measurement is consistency. To get the most benefit out of your monitor, it is important to establish a “baseline measurement.” This helps build a foundation of measurements that you can use to compare against future readings. To build this baseline measurement, devote two weeks for consistent blood pressure monitoring. This involves doing everything the same way when you measure (e.g. measuring during the same time of day, in the same location, sitting in the same chair, using the same cuff, etc.). Once you establish your baseline measurement, you can start evaluating if your measurement has been affected based on things lifestyle changes or medication treatment.
How Do I Record My Blood Pressure?
Blood pressure readings are typically recorded with the systolic pressure writ- ten first, followed by a slash mark and the diastolic pressure. For example, 120 mmHg systolic and 80 mmHg diastolic measurements are written as 120/80. Pulse is simply written with the letter “P” followed by the pulse
Customer Support Tools Online
Additional tools are available on www.LifeSourceOnline.com (in Canada - www.autocontrol.com) to help you get the most out of your blood pressure monitoring. These include:
•Large Print Instruction Manuals
•Animated Operating Instructions for select models
•Additional Logbook Sheets
LifeSource Health Line |
TROUBLESHOOTING
Problem | Probable cause | Corrective action | |
Nothing appears | Batteries are drained. | Replace all batteries with new | |
in the display, after |
| ones. Alkaline batteries | |
I press the START |
| recommended. | |
button. |
|
| |
Battery terminals are not in | Reinstall the batteries with | ||
| |||
| the correct position. | negative and positive termi- | |
|
| nals matching those indicated | |
|
| in the battery compartment. | |
The cuff does not | Battery voltage is too low. | Replace all batteries with new | |
inflate. | Low battery symbol blinks. | ones. Alkaline batteries rec- | |
| [If the batteries are drained | ommended. | |
| completely, the mark does |
| |
| not appear.] |
| |
The unit does not | The cuff is not fastened | Fasten the cuff correctly. | |
properly. |
| ||
measure. Readings |
| ||
are too high or too | You moved your arm or | Make sure you remain very | |
low. | |||
body during the | still and quiet during the mea- | ||
| |||
| measurement. | surement. | |
| The cuff position is not | Sit comfortably and still. Make | |
| correct. | sure the cuff is at the same | |
|
| level as your heart. | |
| You are using the wrong | See Pg. | |
| size cuff. | Correct Cuff." | |
|
|
| |
| Taking too many readings | Relax five minutes before each | |
| on the same arm in a short | measurement. | |
| period of time. |
| |
The value is differ- | The healthcare professional | See Pg. | |
ent from that | may be using a different | Why Your Readings Are | |
measured at a clinic | sized cuff. | Different Between Home and | |
or doctor’s office. |
| the Doctor’s Office." | |
|
|
| |
| Your measurements may | See Pg. | |
| be elevated by white coat | Blood Pressure at Home." | |
| hypertension |
| |
|
|
|
NOTE: If the actions described above do not solve the problem, call 1-
In Canada - Auto Control Medical |