Panasonic EW-BU35 Introduction, Basics of Blood Pressure, Important Instructions Before Use

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BEFORE USE

Introduction

Thank you for purchasing the Panasonic Automatic Arm Blood Pressure Monitor EW-BU35.

Measuring your own blood pressure is an important way of monitoring your health. High blood pressure (hypertension) is a major health problem which can be treated effectively once detected. Measuring your blood pressure between doctor visits on a regular basis in the comfort of your home, and keeping a record of the measurements, will help you monitor any significant changes in your blood pressure. Keeping an accurate record of your blood pressure will help your doctor diagnose and possibly prevent any health problems in the future.

Basics of Blood Pressure

Your heart acts like a pump, sending blood surging through your blood vessels each time it contracts. Blood pressure is the pressure exerted by blood pumped from the heart on the walls of blood vessels. Systolic pressure is the pressure exerted when the heart contracts and pumps blood into the arteries. Diastolic pressure is the pressure exerted when the heart expands, or relaxes. When you or your doctor take your blood pressure, both your systolic and diastolic pressures are measured. If your blood pressure measurement is 120 mmHg over 80 mmHg (120/80), for example, your systolic pressure is 120 mmHg while your diastolic pressure is 80 mmHg.

Important Instructions Before Use

111Do not confuse self-monitoring with self-diagnosis. Blood pressure measurements should only be interpreted by a health care professional who is familiar with your medical history.

222If you are taking medication, consult with your physician to determine the most appropriate time to measure your blood pressure. NEVER change a prescribed

medication without first consulting with your physician.

333Blood pressure can vary based on many factors, including age, gender, weight and physical condition. In general, a person’s blood pressure is lower during sleep and higher when he or she is active. Blood pressure can change easily in response to physiological changes. The setting in which a person’s blood pressure is measured can also affect the results.

Having one’s blood pressure measured by a healthcare professional in a hospital or clinic can cause nervousness and may result in a temporarily elevated reading. Because blood pressure measurements taken in a clinical setting can vary considerably from those taken at home, a person’s blood pressure should be measured not only occasionally in the doctor’s office, but also on a regular basis at home. Also, if you find that your blood pressure is lower at home, this is not unusual. To accurately compare with your physician’s reading, take your Panasonic blood

pressure monitor to your doctor’s office and compare readings in this setting.

444People suffering from cardiac arrhythmia, vascular constriction, liver disorders or diabetes, people with cardiac pacemakers or a weak pulse, and women who are pregnant should consult their physician before measuring their blood pressure themselves. Different values may be obtained due to their condition.