ABOUT BLOOD PRESSURE
What is Blood Pressure?
Blood pressure is the pressure exerted on the artery
walls while blood flows through the arteries. The
pressure measured when the heart contracts and
sends blood out of the heart is systolic (highest) blood
pressure. The pressure measured when the heart
dilates with blood flowing back into the heart is called
diastolic (lowest) blood pressure.
Why Measure Your Blood Pressure?
Among today's various health problems, those associated
with high blood pressure are very common. High blood
pressure dangerously correlates with cardiovascular
diseases. Therefore, blood pressure monitoring is
important for identifying those at risk.
BLOOD PRESSURE STANDARD
The table on page 6 contains defined levels for hypertension
that are publicly available from the American Heart
Association (AHA) (http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/
Conditions/HighBloodPressure/AboutHighBloodPressure/
Understanding-Blood-Pressure-Readings_UCM_301764_
Article.jsp). Users can compare their own blood pressure
readings against these defined levels to determine if they
may be potentially at increased risk.
This table is applicable to most adults aged 18 and older.
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Blood pressure tends to go up and down, even in people who
normally don't have high readings. If your numbers stay above
the "normal" range most of the time, you may be at increased
risk and should consult your physician.
Category
Systolic (mmHg)
Normal
Less than 120
Prehypertension
120-139
High Blood Pressure
Stage 1
140-159
Stage 2
160-179
Hypertensive Crisis
Higher than 180
(emergency care needed)
Although one can easily find where their own blood pressure
readings fall on this table, this monitor comes equipped with
a Risk Category Index that automatically compares each
reading to the defined levels and provides a helpful cue if
your reading falls into one of the stages that could potentially
indicate increased risk. See page 21 for more information on
this feature.
Please note that cues provided by this monitor are only
intended to assist you in using this table. The table and cues
are only provided for convenience to help you understand
your non-invasive blood pressure reading as it relates to
the AHA information. They are not a substitute for a medical
examination by your physician. It is important for you to
consult with your physician regularly. Your physician will tell
you your normal blood pressure range as well as the point at
which you may actually be considered to be at risk.
Diastolic (mmHg)
and
Less than 80
or
80-89
or
90-99
or
100-109
or
Higher than 110
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