Sunbeam 7652 What is Blood Pressure?, Why Is It a Good Thing to Measure Blood Pressure at Home?

What is Blood Pressure?

Blood pressure is a measurement of the force of blood flowing against the walls of the arteries. Arterial blood pressure is constantly changing during the course of the cardiac cycle. The highest pressure in the cycle is called the SYSTOLIC BLOOD PRESSURE; the lowest is the DIASTOLIC BLOOD PRESSURE. Both pressure readings, the SYS- TOLIC and DIASTOLIC, are necessary to enable a physician to evaluate the status of a patient’s blood pressure. Many factors such as physical activity, anxiety, or the time of day, can influence your blood pressure. Blood pressure is typically low in the morning and increases from afternoon to evening. It is lower in the summer and higher in the winter.

Why Is It a Good Thing to Measure Blood Pressure at Home?

Having one’s blood pressure measured by a doctor in a hospital or a clinic, and group health checks, tend to stimulate nervousness in the subject and may even create high blood pressure. Also blood pressure varies in accordance with a variety of conditions, and so judgement is not possible on the basis of a single measurement. (See Fig. 2)

The blood pressure measured first thing in the morning after getting up, before taking any food, and with the subject still, is known as the fundamental blood pressure. In practice it is rather difficult to record the fundamental blood pressure, but to come as near as possible to measuring the blood pressure in an environment that is close to this, is why it is useful to take the measurement at home.

Systolic: The highest point of blood pressure; level of blood pressure produced as your heart beats.

Diastolic: The lowest point of blood pressure; level of blood pressure produced as your heart rests between beats.

Millimeters of Mercury (mmHg): Blood pressure is measured in terms of the height of mercury in a column. Measurements are written one over the other. For example, a systolic presssure of 120 mmHg and diastolic pressure of 80 mmHg is expressed as “120 over 80.”

IMPORTANT: Only a physician is qualified to interpret your blood pressure measurements, and no device can replace regular medical examinations by your physician. It is recommended that your physician review your procedure for using this blood pressure monitor. Your physician should verify blood pressure measurements before making adjustments to medication.