One blood pressure measurement is like a snapshot. It only tells what your blood pressure is at that moment. A record of readings taken over time provides a “ time-lapse” picture of your blood pressure that can help you partner with your physician to ensure that your treatments to lower high blood pressure (HBP or hypertension) are working.
The American Heart Association recommends home monitoring for all people with high blood pressure to help the healthcare provider determine whether treatments are working. Home monitoring (self-measured blood pressure) is not a substitute for regular visits to your physician. If you have been prescribed medication to lower your blood pressure, don't stop taking your medication without consulting your doctor, even if your blood pressure readings are in the normal range during home monitoring.
Once you’ve purchased your monitor, bring it to your next appointment
Have your doctor check to see that you are using it correctly and getting the same results as the equipment in the office. Plan to bring your monitor in once a year to make sure the readings are accurate.
How to use a home blood pressure monitor
- Be still.
Don't smoke, drink caffeinated beverages or exercise within 30 minutes before measuring your blood pressure. - Sit correctly. Sit with your back straight and supported (on a dining chair, rather than a sofa). Your feet should be flat on the floor and your legs should not be crossed. Your arm should be supported on a flat surface (such as a table) with the upper arm at heart level. Make sure the middle of the cuff is placed directly above the eye of the elbow. Check your monitor's instructions for an illustration or have your healthcare provider show you how.
- Measure at the same time every day.
It's important to take the readings at the same time each day, such as morning and evening, or as your healthcare professional recommends. - Take multiple readings and record the results.
Each time you measure, take two or three readings one minute apart and record the results using a printable or online tracker. If your monitor has built-in memory to store your readings, take it with you to your appointments. Some monitors may also allow you to upload your readings to a secure website after you register your profile.
Helo, A Revolutionary Concept.
LifeLog is a system that, using HELO, records and tracks a complete set of information to create your bio-profile in real-time, 24/7.
It uses all the measurements of your HELO to build a detailed profile daily where you can link your health data to common elements like pictures, text notes, and audio notes.
LifeLog registers thousands of locations, itineraries, heart rates, blood pressure indicator*, breath rates, heart check*, moods, steps, sleep analysis and many other details each day. In every moment you can check, compare, and analyze your mood and status compared to other dates, as well as obtain tips and feedback to improve your health and lifestyle.
* Legal DisclaimerThe measurements are for self-evaluation only and are not intended to substitute any clinic or medical diagnostics or measurements. All values should be considered ambulatory measurements and are subject to variants with a high grade of tolerance in the accuracy. Please consult your doctor or therapist in case of inconsistency in the values measured, or in any case which the measurements indicate any normal or abnormal results.
Important: People with pacemakers and pregnant women should not use stones products. If you are in doubt, consult your doctor or pharmacist.Legal Information: stones products are considered unproven remedies and their action is not recognized in regular medicine. Stones products are not to be seen as a substitute for medically prescribed treatments. Consult your Doctor before use.DO NOT USE IF YOU ARE PREGNANT, WEAR A PACEMAKER, OR ANY OTHER FORM OF ELECTRICAL IMPLANT OR DEVICE FOR MEDICAL REASONS OF ANY KIND.
Know your numbers.
Learn what the numbers in your blood pressure reading mean.
| Blood Pressure Category | Systolic mm Hg (upper #) | Diastolic mm Hg (lower #) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Normal | less than 120 | and | less than 80 |
| Prehypertension | 120 – 139 | or | 80 – 89 |
| High Blood Pressure (Hypertension) Stage 1 | 140 – 159 | or | 90 – 99 |
| High Blood Pressure (Hypertension) Stage 2 | 160 or higher | or | 100 or higher |
| Hypertensive Crisis (Emergency care needed) | Higher than 180 | or | Higher than 110 |
If you get a high blood pressure reading
- A single high reading is not an immediate cause for alarm. If you get a reading that is slightly or moderately higher than normal, take your blood pressure a few more times and consult your healthcare professional to verify if there’ s a health concern or whether there may be any issues with your monitor.
- If your blood pressure suddenly or unexpectedly reaches 180/110 mm Hg or higher, wait five minutes and test again. If your blood pressure is still at this level, it is considered a hypertensive crisis requiring emergency medical attention — especially if you are experiencing chest pain, shortness of breath, back pain, numbness/weakness, vision changes or difficulty speaking. If your blood pressure rises like this, call 9-1-1.
- Anyone diagnosed with high blood pressure (HBP or hypertension).
- Individuals starting high blood pressure treatment to determine its effectiveness.
- People requiring closer monitoring, especially individuals with risk factors for high blood pressure and/or conditions related to high blood pressure.
- Pregnant women experiencing pregnancy-induced hypertension and/or preeclampsia.
- Evaluating potentially false readings, like:
- People who only have high readings at the doctor’ s office (“ white coat” hypertension).
- People who only have high readings at home but not at the doctor’ s office (“ masked” hypertension).
- NOTE: People with atrial fibrillation or other arrhythmias may require additional Physician visits despite home monitoring, because electronic home blood pressure devices may not be able to give accurate measurements. Ask your doctor to recommend a monitoring method that works for you. But the EKG testing by HELO can be valuable additional information. Be sure to show it to your cardiologist.
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