There is no house in which a patient with high blood pressure does not live. Hypertension is one of the most common chronic diseases in the Arab world. Therefore, every home must have a device to measure blood pressure in emergency cases and for regular follow-up. Learn in this article how to choose a blood pressure monitor. Blood pressure device Types, specifications, and how to use it.

The importance of having a blood pressure monitor at home

It is important to have a blood pressure monitor in your home even if there is no blood pressure patient for several reasons, the most important of which are:

• Helping to diagnose hypertension early, especially for patients with other chronic diseases such as kidney patients and diabetics.
• Helping to know how effective treatment is. Being able to measure your pressure regularly helps you know if your new diet and medications are really effective in controlling pressure or not.
• Measuring pressure regularly encourages the patient to continue treatment and adhere to the health system that he follows.
• Having a device at home reduces the costs of your visits to the doctor or health center on a regular basis.
• It is necessary for a pregnant woman to have a blood pressure monitor to monitor her blood pressure, especially if she is exposed to gestational hypertension.

Types of pressure gauge

You can find many types of home blood pressure devices in pharmacies or stores that sell medical supplies, and the most important types are:

• A mercury pressure gauge, which is the hardest type to read, may require training to know how to measure accurately.
• Electronic or digital pressure gauge, which is the easiest type to use because the readings appear directly on the screen.

How do you choose the best blood pressure monitor at home?

There are a lot of products available in the market, and there are also many criteria that you can rely on when buying a blood pressure monitor, the most important of which are:

• The best device is the one that contains the pressure tape on the upper part of the arm, and this type is considered to be more accurate in measurement than the devices used on the wrist or finger.
• The size of the compression bandage must be suitable for your arm, so that it wraps around the arm tightly, and also leaves a space under it that can accommodate the stethoscope.
• Some devices have a memory to record the last pressure readings, which are definitely the best, but they are more expensive.
• The screen showing the numbers should be clear and easy to read.
• You can take the device with you on your visit to the doctor so that he can make sure of its accuracy.

How to measure pressure using a pressure gauge

Follow these steps when using the device until you get the most accurate reading:

• You should avoid smoking and drinking any caffeinated drinks at least half an hour before the test.
• Get some rest and make sure your body is relaxed and not overactive.
• Sit in a correct position, rest your back on a chair in an upright position, and your feet should touch the ground and do not put one leg on another.
• Make sure your forearm is placed on the table next to you with your upper arm at heart level.
• The pressure tape in the device must be directly above the crease of the elbow, and it must not be placed on top of the clothes.
• Follow the instructions on the device for how to inflate the compression band.
• You must measure your pressure at the same time every day so that you can compare your readings correctly without other variables occurring during the day.
• It is best to take more than one measurement at a time, with a minute difference between each reading, then record these readings on a piece of paper and keep them until your appointment with the doctor.

Pressure gauge reading

You should memorize or even keep the following numbers because they are an indicator of your blood pressure:

• Normal blood pressure: greater than 60/90 mm Hg and less than 80/120 mm Hg.
• High blood pressure: 140/90 or higher.
• Low blood pressure: 90/60 or less.

What do you do if the blood pressure reading is high?

• If the reading is too high for one time, don’t worry, just take the pressure measurement again after a few minutes and compare the two readings.
• If the second reading is higher than 180/120 suddenly with the emergence of other symptoms such as chest pain, difficulty breathing, difficulty speaking, changes in vision, and a sense of tingling or numbness, then one must go to the emergency room immediately, and do not wait for the pressure to drop on its own, because it indicates a state of hypertensive crisis. the blood.
• If the readings are variable or stable without feeling any serious symptoms, then there is more than one reason, either you are measuring the wrong way, or the device has a problem, but for caution you can go to any medical center to be sure.

Finally, you should know that pressure measurements may vary throughout the day, as it is usual for it to be higher in the morning than at other times of the day, and the measurement may differ slightly and become higher in the doctor’s office than your measurement at home, but in any case, keeping this device At home, it has many advantages, especially in emergency situations. If you have any questions about the pressure gauge, you can consult one of our doctors.