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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 is criteria for hypertension that
is publicly available from the National Heart Lung
and Blood Institute at the U.S. National Institutes
of Health (NIH) (http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/
dci/Diseases/Hbp/HBP_WhatIs.html). Users can
compare their own blood pressure readings against
these established criteria to determine if they may
be potentially at increased risk.
This table is applicable to most adults aged 18 and
older. 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.
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 this criteria
and provides a helpful cue if your reading falls into
one of the stages that could potentially indicate
increased risk. See page 17 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 have access to the NIH 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.
Category
Systolic (mmHg) Diastolic (mmHg)
Normal Less than 120 and Less than 80
Prehypertension 120-139 or 80-89
High Blood Pressure
Stage 1 140-159 or 90-99
Stage 2 160 or higher or 100 or higher
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