It’s American Heart Month, which is the perfect time to start learning more about your heart health and how using a blood pressure monitor plays an important role in keeping you healthy.  In today’s blog, we will share a few things you can do to observe American Heart Month, such as incorporating more heart-healthy habits into your daily routines, educating yourself on heart health topics, and raising awareness about heart disease.

1. What Is Blood Pressure?

  • Blood pressure is the measurement of the amount of pressure that is pushing against the arterial wall while your arteries are carrying blood from your heart to other parts of your body. Blood pressure is measured with two different numbers, systolic pressure and diastolic pressure.  

  • Systolic pressure is the top number, and it represents the maximum pressure that the heart exerts while pumping blood to the body. Diastolic pressure is the bottom number which represents the amount of pressure in the arteries between beats when the heart is relaxed. 

2. What Is a Blood Pressure Monitor and Why Is It Important?

  • A home blood pressure monitor will monitor your blood pressure throughout the day and give you and your doctor a better understanding of what your average blood pressure reading is each day. Home blood pressure monitoring is one of the easiest and most effective ways to manage hypertension.  

3. Is It Normal for My Blood Pressure to Change?

  • Yes! Our blood pressure will naturally change throughout the day and night. Many factors can affect your blood pressure reading such as activity levels, stress levels, food and drinks, and even certain times of the day..  

  • When monitoring blood pressure at home, it is important to try to measure your blood pressure at the same time each day to get an accurate and consistent reading.  

4. Who Can Benefit From a Blood Pressure Monitor?

  • At home blood pressure monitoring can be very beneficial for many individuals for several different reasons. Monitoring at home can help with early diagnosis and is important for people with conditions like diabetes, which can cause high blood pressure.  

  • A blood pressure monitor can also help you receive effective treatments, as your doctor can look at your readings and make dosage changes or medication changes based on your daily results.  

5. How Do I Avoid Getting Inaccurate Blood Pressure Readings?

  • As it is normal for blood pressure readings to change throughout the day, it is important that you use your blood pressure monitor correctly to get the most accurate reading.  

  • A few things you can do for effective readings include avoiding activities right before a reading, avoiding eating or drinking 30 minutes before a reading, placing the cuff on bare skin, and sitting still and trying not to move around too much.  

For more information on American Heart Month, visit this page! Using a blood pressure monitor is an easy and effective way to manage your blood pressure. At ThedaCare, we have advanced blood pressure monitors available for you to choose from. If you are interested in our blood pressure monitors, visit our online catalog to see our available options, and if you have any questions, contact our team!