How Do Blood Pressure Monitors Work?
High blood pressure, or hypertension, is a major risk factor for heart disease and stroke. That’s why it’s important to keep track of your blood pressure and know your numbers.
Blood pressure monitors are devices that measure blood pressure. They’re also called sphygmomanometers or BP monitors.
There are two types of blood pressure monitors: digital and aneroid.
Aneroid monitors have a cuff that goes around your arm and a mercury or aneroid gauge. The cuff is inflated with air and the mercury or aneroid gauge measures the pressure.
Digital blood pressure monitors have a cuff that goes around your arm and a digital display. The cuff is inflated with air and the digital display shows the pressure.
To use a blood pressure monitor, you wrap the cuff around your bare upper arm. The cuff should be level with your heart. The cuff is then inflated with air.
As the cuff inflates, it squeezes your arm, stopping the flow of blood. The pressure in the cuff is then released, and the blood flow starts again.
The pressure in the cuff is measured as the cuff deflates. The pressure is shown on a mercury column or a digital display.
The first number is your systolic blood pressure. This is the pressure when your heart is contracting and pumping blood.
The second number is your diastolic blood pressure. This is the pressure when your heart is resting between beats.
Your blood pressure changes all the time, depending on what you’re doing, how you’re feeling, and other factors.
It’s important to check your blood pressure at different times of the day, including when you’re:
- Resting
- Exercising
- Eating
- Drinking
- Sleeping
If your blood pressure is consistently high, you may have hypertension. This is a medical condition that needs to be treated by a doctor.
There are many different blood pressure monitors on the market. Some are designed for home use, and others are designed for medical use.
If you have hypertension, your doctor will likely recommend a home blood pressure monitor so you can track your numbers.
There are many factors to consider when choosing a home blood pressure monitor, including:
- Ease of use
- Accuracy
- Cost
You can also get blood pressure monitors that connect to your smartphone or tablet. These devices can be a convenient way to keep track of your blood pressure.
If you have hypertension, it’s important to track your blood pressure and see your doctor regularly. With treatment, you can lower your blood pressure and lower your risk of heart disease and stroke.