With the wide availability of blood pressure cuffs at local stores, many Americans are starting to realize the importance of knowing what your blood pressure is. As we struggle with rising heart disease and heart attacks, being aware of what your blood pressure is can literally save your life.

Checking your blood pressure is just part of the solution to keeping a healthy heart. Along with the blood pressure cuff, your life expectancy can be increased if you also practice healthy lifestyle habits. A reading of 120/80 is considered normal range and higher than that you fall under the “at risk” category. If your reading is over 140 you are in the high blood pressure category.

If you discover that your blood pressure is in the risky range, then you will need to schedule a trip to your doctor for a wellness check. On this visit, your physician will be able to give you a stress test, to see how well your heart is functioning. He or she will also be able to advise you on lifestyle changes you may need to make.

The easiest ways to lead a healthier life is to exercise and change your diet. A doctor will be able to give more specific recommendations and tell you what you are able to do.

The doctor may also want you to monitor your heart rate and blood pressure from home. If this is the case then you also need a monitoring device that is easy to do. The doctor can advise you on what to buy and how to find the most accurate kind.

There are two types of monitors, the digital and aneroid blood pressure monitors and your choice will be easier once you understand the difference between the two and you can choose between the two to make a wise decision which is practical for you.

Aneroid monitors are very portable and user-friendly. The downside is they are also sensitive, and if not treated with extra caution can sustain damage or break easily. You will also need to have a stethoscope connected to a cuff. These models are very inexpensive.

The digital blood pressure monitor is roughly the same size as a cell phone and some of them come connected with an arm cuff. The cuff will measure the blood pressure and that is what is displayed on the monitor. There are even some models with which you can print out the results or they have memory and let you store the last readings.

While digital monitors are definitely easier to use, they do come with a higher price tag. You will have to determine if you want to risk replacing one of the less expensive models when it breaks, or if you would rather make an investment on the front end.

There are two other types which may be convenient but are not very reliable thus could be dangerous for your health. They are the finger monitor or wrist monitor, though easy to use, not reliable.

Once you have started to monitor your own blood pressure, you will also have to keep a chart of the results. This will help your doctor to properly evaluate your blood pressure readings. In order to ensure accuracy of the readings taken at home, you should avoid drinking alcohol and caffeine, as well as avoid smoking. That is because all of those substances will create an artificial elevation of your blood pressure.

Also ensure a relaxed position if you want an accurate reading, since even mild stress will elevate the results.

Especially those who suffer from hypertension should own a blood pressure monitor. Keeping a monitor available is a great asset and will help you to deal with your hypertension.

For those who are looking for more details about blood pressure monitors, check out this article for more info on home blood pressure monitors.

Tags: blood pressure, blood pressure monitor, blood pressure monitors, cardio, doctor, Exercise, fitness, health, Health and Fitness, healthcare, hospital, physician

This entry was posted on Saturday, October 24th, 2009 at 8:38 am and is filed under Health and Fitness. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.