Sencor SBP 901 - Page 3

Digital Blood Pressure Monitor with Cuff
SBP 901
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT BLOOD PRESSURE
What is blood pressure?
Blood pressure is defined as the pressure exerted by the blood on the walls of the arteries through
which it flows. Blood pressure fluctuates during the course of each heartbeat between the maximum
(systolic) and the minimum (diastolic) value. Blood pressure is influenced by many factors, such as physi-
cal activity, fear, anger or by a certain time of day.
Blood pressure changes constantly over the course day. Early in the morning it rises and before noon it
falls. In the afternoon it rises again and then falls in the evening hours. Blood pressure may also change
within an instant and so the subsequent measurement results may vary.
Why is it important to measure your blood pressure at home?
Many people have increased blood pressure when they visit their doctor, while at home their blood
pressure is in the normal range. This is the so-called white coat syndrome and may affect up to 15% of
the population.
Home blood pressure measurement eliminates the white coat syndrome and provides the doctor with
a picture of the various blood pressure levels during your natural activity.
Blood pressure classification by the World Health Organisation
The following table shows the blood pressure classification for an adult person according to the World
Health Organisation (WHO).
Blood pressure category Systolic blood pressure Diastolic blood pressure
(in mmHg) (in mmHg)
Optimal < 120 < 80
Normal 120-129 80-84
High normal 130-139 85-89
Hypertension: Stage 1 (mild) 140-159 90-99
Hypertension: Stage 2 (med.) 160-179 100-109
Hypertension: Stage 3 (heavy) > 180 > 110
Isolated systolic hypertension > 140 < 90
What is cardiac arrhythmia?
Cardiac arrhythmias are a disorder of the rhythm of the heartbeat. They result from a varied creation or
conduction of electrical impulses in the heart. Many cardiac arrhythmias are only temporary in nature.
Such types of arrhythmias are considered to be harmless and include the cases where the heart misses
or adds a beat. This may be caused by strong emotions or exercise. However, there exist types of ar-
rhythmia, which may be life threatening and require professional treatment.
Symptoms of cardiac arrhythmia
Symptoms of cardiac arrhythmia: strong or accelerated beating of the heart, feeling of tiredness, ver-
tigo, loss of consciousness, lack of breath and chest pain.
Symptoms of bradycardia (slowed down heart activity): feeling of tiredness, lack of breath, vertigo or
dizziness.
Symptoms of tachycardia (accelerated heart activity): the heartbeat may be felt in the neck or as a beat
in the chest with irregular speed, feeling of unease, weakness, lack of breath, dizziness, sweating and
vertigo.
Copyright © 2011, Fast CR, a.s. Revision 03/2011