Hypertension is a very common health threat. It is the medical condition of having consistently high blood pressure.

Blood pressure is the force that blood exerts on artery walls as it circulates through the body. Blood fills arteries to a certain capacity, like air in a tire. If there is too much air, the air pressure can damage the tire. In the same way, high blood pressure can damage arteries and lead to life-threatening diseases.

A doctor must diagnose hypertension, but you can keep track of your blood pressure at home with a home blood pressure monitor. If the readings over a period of time are persistently above given limits, consult your doctor immediately.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the symptoms of high blood pressure?» Open answer

High blood pressure is often referred as “the silent killer” because symptoms are not visible but the risks are real.

The most common symptoms include:

  • Headaches (especially pulsating ones behind the eyes)
  • Visual disturbances
  • Nausea, dizziness and vomiting
  • Chest pains

Why don’t I get the same measurement every time I use a blood pressure monitor?» Open answer

Blood pressure is one specific parameter of the human body and constantly changes throughout the day. It rises sharply in the early morning and declines during the late morning. It rises back up again in the afternoon and then drops to a low level at night. It can also vary over a short period of time. This means that successive measurements can fluctuate.

For the most accurate and consistent results, you should take regular measurements at home under normal physical conditions.

Which is more accurate, a wrist or upper-arm monitor?» Open answer

Both devices measure the pressure of your blood against the walls of your arteries as the blood moves though your body, and both devices have passed clinical tests for accuracy. Wrist devices are slightly more sensitive to the measuring process and the person’s individual anatomy, while upper arm monitors are more cumbersome to use.

Wrist devices are not accurate if they are not positioned at the heart level. In some cases wrist devices display error messages more often, because the individual anatomy of the wrist has more of an effect on the raw signal. Wrist-measurement signals can be very weak due to the person’s tissue type, for example.

For upper-arm monitors, you must use the right strap for the circumference of your arm. This is especially important if you are overweight. If the cuff isn’t the right size, the results will not be accurate. Tightly rolled-up sleeves can also affect the unit’s accuracy.

How do I know that my Braun blood pressure monitor is still accurate?» Open answer

All Braun monitors have a low battery indicator. So if the symbol flashes, you should change your batteries to ensure accurate readings. Braun blood pressure monitors do not need to be recalibrated.

How long should I wait between measurements?» Open answer

You should wait at least three minutes between each measurement.

All About

Hypertension is a very common health threat. It is the medical condition of having consistently high blood pressure.

Blood pressure is the force that blood exerts on artery walls as it circulates through the body. Blood fills arteries to a certain capacity, like air in a tire. If there is too much air, the air pressure can damage the tire. In the same way, high blood pressure can damage arteries and lead to life-threatening diseases.

A doctor must diagnose hypertension, but you can keep track of your blood pressure at home with a home blood pressure monitor. If the readings over a period of time are persistently above given limits, consult your doctor immediately.

Systolic and diastolic pressure

Blood pressure monitors give two readings: systolic and diastolic pressure. The values are expressed in millimetres of mercury (abbreviated mmHg). Most blood pressure monitors also show the heart rate.

Systolic pressure is your maximum blood pressure. It represents the pressure on your arteries when your heart contracts and pumps blood into them. Diastolic pressure is your minimum blood pressure, which is recorded when your heart relaxes after contracting and draws blood back into its chambers. For further information, refer to www.medicinenet.com or www.medterms.com.

According to the World Health Organization, hypertension occurs when you have consistent readings of over 140/90 mmHg (this is read as “140 over 90″, where 140 is the systolic pressure and 90 is the diastolic pressure). It is also possible to have systolic hypertension or diastolic hypertension if only one of these levels is high.

Dangers of hypertension

If untreated, hypertension can lead to kidney failure, brain damage or heart attack. The most common ailments associated with hypertension are heart attacks and strokes. For more information on hypertension and strokes, read the related article at HealthandAge.com.

If you are diagnosed with high blood pressure, be sure to follow your doctor’s treatment and continue with regular check-ups.

You can download from the links below some useful tools that can help you and your family in the daily management of your blood pressure such as a Braun Blood Pressure Diary and a Braun Anti-hypertension Recipe booklet.

Braun Anti-hypertension Recipe booklet

Braun Blood Pressure Diary

What causes high blood pressure?

Hypertension can be caused by many different factors. According to the medical website WebMD, primary risk factors include:

  • Ageing
  • High alcohol consumption (more than 2 alcoholic drinks per day)
  • High sodium (salt) consumption
  • Being overweight or obese
  • Lipometabolic disorder (e.g. high cholesterol)
  • Lack of exercise
  • Stress
  • A diet low in potassium, magnesium or calcium
  • Genetics
  • Smoking

Secondary factors include health conditions, such as insulin resistance, endocrine disorders (e.g. diabetes or thyroid problems), and some kidney diseases.

Tips to reduce risk factors

Avoiding or eliminating some of the above risk factors can reduce hypertension and prevent serious health complications. In some cases you can simply make minor lifestyle changes:

  • Try to reach your ideal weight
  • Reduce alcohol consumption
  • Replace salt with spices in your diet
  • Eat at least 400g of fruit and vegetables per day
  • Only cook with high quality vegetable oils
  • Stop (or cut back on) smoking
  • Exercise regularly (3-4 times per week, 30-45 minutes at a time)
  • Keep track of your blood pressure at home

These tips come from the World Hypertension League (www.worldhypertensionleague.org) and the World Health Organization.

Information on this website is not intended to take the place of medical advice, and blood pressure monitor readings taken at home should not be relied upon as a substitute for your doctor’s diagnosis.

The European Society of Hypertension encourages people who suffer from high blood pressure to measure their blood pressure regularly at home. This improves patients’ adherence to treatment and provides more information on its effectiveness.

Two measurement types

Upper arm blood pressure monitor. This is the place your doctor measures your blood pressure, and you can also use this type of monitor at home. You place the strap around your upper arm and press the button. The strap automatically inflates and then deflates slowly. During deflation, when your blood pressure equals the pressure in the strap, the monitor displays the systolic and diastolic readings together with your pulse.

Wrist blood pressure monitor. These are very small and easy to use. You firmly wrap the strap around your wrist so that the screen is on the inside of your wrist, and press the button. The strap inflates and then deflates slowly, and the monitor displays the systolic and diastolic readings together with your pulse.

Some tips to help you choose the method that’s right for you:

Proper measurement

To ensure accurate blood pressure measurement, be sure to follow these guidelines:

  • Always take readings at the same time of day, ideally in the morning and evening, under the same conditions.
  • Wait for 30 minutes after smoking, drinking coffee or eating.
  • Take off your wristwatch and jewellery before fitting the strap on your arm. A tight shirt should not be worn when using an upper arm monitor.
  • When taking a measurement, sit in a chair with your feet flat on the floor and keep still.
  • Perform the measurement quietly in a relaxed position.
  • Wait approximately 3 minutes before repeating a measurement.

Correct posture

To ensure consistent and accurate readings, the blood pressure monitor must be held steady and at the right level. For upper arm monitors, this means placing your arm on a table so that the strap is at the same level as your heart. Posture is even more important for wrist monitors: be sure to hold your wrist at heart level when taking a measurement.

Correct posture for upper arm monitors

Correct posture for wrist monitors