Best Home Blood Pressure Monitors

Causes of Hypertension or High Blood Pressure

Only 10% of cases of high blood pressure have a specific cause - with high blood pressure being a symptom or side effect of medication. This is know as secondary hypertension, because the hypertension is a secondary effect.

If you have one of these conditions then your doctor will be monitoring your blood pressure - so it is important to see your doctor regularly and do all that you can to keep your blood pressure under control.

For the remaining 90% of cases of high blood pressure (called primary hypertension) there is no one specific cause. A cluster of lifestyle factors is usually to blame.

Root Causes of High Blood Pressure

Smoking

Each cigarette actually raises your blood pressure temporarily. But cigarette smoke doesn’t only damage your lungs. Those chemicals can also damage your arteries, leading them to narrow which will increase your blood pressure.

Obesity

As you put on weight your body needs more blood to get the oxygen and nutrients to all of your body. This means your heart has to work harder, and your blood pressure rises.

Inactivity

Regular physical activity helps your blood flow system (The way this happens is too complicated to go into here).  Being inactive means that your heart has to beat more often, and harder to get the same effect.

Too much salt

Why this raises your blood pressure isn’t totally clear. We do know that too much sodium can cause you to retain water  - which increases blood pressure. We also know that there is a clear link between people with excess sodium in their diets and high blood pressure.

Overuse of alcohol

Having more then two or three drinks in one session will cause a temporary rise in blood pressure. Consistently drinking too much will cause heart damage - and high blood pressure. As well as causing liver damage.

If you have any of the risk factors for High Blood Pressure it is especially important that you monitor your blood pressure. You must also make sure that you keep the lifestyle factors under control. Simple lifestyle adjustments are enough for most people with pre-hypertension. Taking care of these lifestyle factors will give you lots of health benefits - not just avoiding Hypertension.

Self-monitoring of blood pressure is a valuable addition to the management of hypertension, supported by the Joint National Committee on Prevention, Detection, Evaluation and Treatment of High Blood Pressure (JNC-7), the American Heart Association and the American Society of Hypertension.

• Self-monitoring is especially useful for patients with poorly controlled hypertension.
• It can be used to titrate medications, improve control, and screen for white-coat hypertension.
• Home readings may be an equal or better predictor of cardiovascular risk and of target organ
damage than office readings.
• Self-monitoring can enable and motivate patient participation in managing a condition that is often asymptomatic.

While self-monitoring can be done by most patients, it may be contraindicated for those with certain conditions: cardiac arrhythmias, and certain physical and mental disabilities. Because home monitors are not covered by most insurance plans, cost may be a barrier although there is usually a monitor for any budget.

Patient Monitoring Tips

• Rest 5 minutes before taking your blood pressure.
• Don’t smoke or drink caffeinated beverages for at least 30 minutes before.
• Take your blood pressure before (not after) you eat. 
• Sit comfortably with your back supported and both feet on the floor (don’t cross your legs).
• Elevate your arm to heart level on a table or a desk.
• Use the proper sized cuff. It should fit smoothly and snugly around your bare upper arm. There
should be enough room to slip a fingertip under the cuff.  The bottom edge of the cuff should
be 1 inch above the crease of the elbow.
• Ideally, take 3 measurements at one sitting and record the average.

Know the facts about hypertension before you make a decision 

	What is High Blood Pressure? Blood pressure is a measurement of the blood’s force as it is forced against the arterial wall by the beating of the heart. Pressure that is too high can result in a stroke or damage to the organs of the body, including the heart and kidneys. For this reason, it is important to routinely check blood pressure to prevent major health issues. [...]
	Who Is At Risk for High Blood Pressure?  In determining the risk of developing high blood pressure (HBP), there exist a number of risk factors that may or may not be within the control of the individual. Risk factors for HBP include age, race or ethnicity, weight, and gender. The key is to understand the risk factors that may contribute to developing HBP. [...]
	What are signs and symptoms of High Blood Pressure? High Blood Pressure: Health Risks and Complications:High blood pressure, or HBP, is a silent threat; most people don’t experience any overt symptoms until serious health problems develop. An occasional headache may be the only warning sign of future heart or kidney damage due to HBP. [...]
	How is High Blood Pressure Treated? A high blood pressure reading is a wake up call to change some habits and re-think your life. It means your heart has to work harder, which puts you at risk for stroke, heart attack, and diseases of all the other organs.. [...]
	Blood Pressure Monitoring At Home  If there is any question that your blood pressure maybe problematic, you should monitor it regularly. Monitoring your blood pressure at home and at various times throughout the day can be a key element to effective treatment. Why? Because blood pressure is not stable. It fluctuates regularly in response to various things[...]
	Choosing the Best Home Blood Pressure Monitor Arm yourself with important information when selecting the home blood pressure monitor that is best for you. Your blood pressure changes during the day depending on the foods you eat, your emotions and medications you take, so using a home blood pressure monitor will give you the facts you need to effectively gather regular measurements. [...]