The digital blood pressure monitor has revolutionized how we track the force our heart exerts to pump blood throughout the body. Maintaining normal blood pressure, ideally below 120/80 mmHg, is crucial for our health, as extreme variations can be life-threatening. These modern devices provide an easy and accurate way to monitor blood pressure regularly, ensuring we can act promptly to maintain it within a safe range. Given the diverse causes of blood pressure fluctuations, having a reliable digital blood pressure monitor at hand is essential for timely management and health maintenance.
What Can Lead to High Blood Pressure?
High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, is a serious health condition that affects millions of people worldwide. While the exact cause of high blood pressure can sometimes be unclear, several factors can increase your risk of developing it. Let’s explore some of the most common reasons why blood pressure problems can arise:
You are more likely to develop blood pressure problems if you have a family history of blood pressure. For example, if any of your siblings or parent suffers from a blood pressure problem, your chances of developing one also increase.
Obesity or excessive weight can cause to develop of blood pressure problems as an increased weight can cause changes in the blood vessels, the kidneys, and other parts of the body.
Lack of physical exercise or activity can lead to weight gain which can cause blood pressure problems.
The chances of developing blood pressure problems often increase as you age. Therefore, age is an important factor in the development of blood pressure problems.
Consuming too much alcohol can also cause high blood pressure.
Stress or anxiety can also increase the chances of your developing plod pressure problems. However, these are normally temporary. Also, the habits that come with increased anxiety and stress levels for example use of alcohol or tobacco and overeating can increase the risk of developing blood pressure fluctuations.
Certain heart problems can cause blood pressure problems.
A poor diet that does not provide proper nutrients can also cause blood pressure problems.
Complications of irregular blood pressure
Having blood pressure problems can increase your risk of having several other diseases. It can cause to develop of coronary artery disease, an enlarged heart, heart failure, stroke, dementia, Transient ischemic attack (TIA), kidney failure, and nerve damage.
To avoid these severe and other mild symptoms of having irregular blood pressure, a digital blood pressure monitor can help. With the help of this digital blood pressure monitor, you can check your blood pressure at your home and get immediate help if it is too high or too low.
Difference between an Aneroid and a digital pressure monitor
Two devices can be used to measure your blood pressure. You can use a digital or an aneroid monitor. The difference between these two devices is explained below.
Aneroid monitor
An aneroid monitor is a manual blood pressure monitor that helps to check your blood pressure. The cuff is placed on your upper arm and it is inflated with the help of a rubber bulb. The cuff is inflated by squeezing the rubber bulb.
You check your blood pressure with the help of a gauge that shows the reading through a pointer on the dial. These devices are less costly than digital blood pressure monitors but these can be easily damaged and can start to give inaccurate readings.
These monitors can be hard to use for some people as you need to manually squeeze the rubber bulb to inflate the cuff.
Digital monitor
Digital monitors are a new advancement in taking blood pressure measurements. These devices are easier to use than aneroid monitors. The digital blood pressure monitor measures the blood pressure and displays it on a small screen. Some digital monitors also print out these readings for you.
The inflation of the cuff can either be automatic or manual depending on the model of the digital monitor however the deflation is automatic. These monitors are more expensive than aneroid monitors and also require batteries.
What is a digital blood pressure monitor?
A digital blood pressure monitor is a medical device that can help a person check his blood pressure with ease. This is especially helpful for people who suffer from high blood pressure as the blood pressure can be checked at home. This device can prove to be lifesaving as it can prevent people from having heart attacks and strokes. These blood pressure monitors are very accurate devices and are easy to use. A digital blood pressure monitor checks your heart rate and your blood pressure.
These devices can be extremely helpful in managing high blood pressure (Hypertension). It can be lifesaving as any changes to the blood pressure can be immediately checked and any preventive measures can be taken.
What does a digital blood pressure monitor consist of?
A digital blood pressure machine usually contains the following parts:
Inflatable cuff
The inner layer of the inflatable cuff squeezes your arms when it fills with air. The outer layer of this cuff contains a fastener that helps to hold the cuff in its place. This device helps calculate heart rate and blood flow with the help of the changes that occur in the motion of the artery as the blood flows through while the cuff deflates.
Gauge
A digital BP machine has a gauge for readouts which helps to give readings and reports the averages.
Features to consider in digital blood pressure monitors
Some features should be considered highly significant when choosing a digital blood pressure monitor. These features include:
Cuff size
You should choose the right cuff size for your arm as it is important to get an accurate blood pressure reading. You should consult your doctor about the right cuff size for you.
Display
The display of the digital blood pressure monitor should be clear and easy to read. It should clearly state the heart rate and blood pressure readings.
Cost
You should buy a digital blood pressure monitor that is cost-efficient, durable, and gives accurate blood pressure readings.
Benefits of a digital blood pressure monitor
Having a blood pressure monitor at home can be beneficial for patients having high blood pressure and other symptoms. It can give you the following benefits:
Early diagnosis
Having a digital blood pressure monitor at home can help with an early diagnosis. It is extremely important to regularly check your blood pressure if you have any medical condition that can cause high blood pressure for example diabetes or kidney problems.
Tracking your treatment
Having a digital BP monitor at home can help keep track of your treatment. If you need to check whether your medicines or lifestyle changes are working, you should continuously check your blood pressure. It can help you determine the benefits or the disadvantages of the changes you made in your lifestyle. It can also help you to check the effectiveness of your medicines.
Better control
Having a digital blood pressure monitor at home can give you better control over your health. With the help of a blood pressure monitor, you can regularly check your blood pressure and avoid immediately get help to avoid serious problems.
Save health care costs
Having a digital blood pressure monitor at home can help save your health care costs. You do not need to go to a clinic to get your blood pressure checked.
Ease
Having a digital blood pressure monitor at home can be easy for you as you do not need to go to a pharmacy or clinic to get your blood pressure checked. You can do it easily at your home. You can check your blood pressure regularly to check for any fluctuations.
Better control over the effects of medicines
Having an automatic BP machine at home can help you continuously check the changes in your blood pressure after certain times and doses. You can inform the doctor about the changes that occur in your blood pressure after you take your medicine. This can help your doctor to choose the accurate dose for you.
Stay away from white coat reactions
Whitecoat reaction is a term that refers to an elevated blood pressure reading in medical settings because of nervousness. Some patients might get nervous in clinics which can cause their blood pressure to increase. On the contrary, when these patients are at home they can be relaxed and in this way, we can get more accurate blood pressure readings.
Conclusion
Changes in blood pressure can be sudden and life-threatening. Also, for some patients, it might be necessary to regularly check their blood pressure to avoid any serious problems. Digital blood pressure monitors can be extremely helpful in checking blood pressure at home and can help avoid serious medical conditions. When used properly and accurately, these devices can be lifesaving.
PhD Scholar (Pharmaceutics), MPhil (Pharmaceutics), Pharm D, B. Sc.
Uzma Zafar is a dedicated and highly motivated pharmaceutical professional currently pursuing her PhD in Pharmaceutics at the Punjab University College of Pharmacy, University of the Punjab. With a comprehensive academic and research background, Uzma has consistently excelled in her studies, securing first division throughout her educational journey.
Uzma’s passion for the pharmaceutical field is evident from her active engagement during her Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D) program, where she not only mastered industrial techniques and clinical case studies but also delved into marketing strategies and management skills.
