What is Hypertension?

Hypertension is the medical term for high blood pressure and is often referred to as the 'silent killer' as there are generally no symptoms for it.

Blood pressure is the amount of pressure your blood exerts on the walls of your veins and vessels. Usually blood pressure rises during physical exertion, stress or excitement and afterwards returns to normal levels. A diagnosis of hypertension is made if blood pressure remains higher than normal over extended periods of time. A reading of 120/80 is considered normal but anything over 140/90 is taken seriously.

What then is 120/80?

The heart expands and contracts as it pumps, changing the blood pressure. When it contracts, blood flows into the blood vessels, increasing blood pressure. This is called systolic pressure and is the higher (120) of the two readings. The diastolic measurement is when the heart relaxes between beats; the flow of blood lessens and blood pressure drops (80). It is recommended you consult your doctor if your blood pressure regularly exceeds 140/90 - particularly when at rest.

Why do blood pressure readings change?

Remember blood pressure results will fluctuate to some degree during the course of a day as blood is a fluid and is affected by several factors. One's emotional state; the time of day; state of hydration; presence of an infection or recent exertion, will all have an effect. As such it's recommended blood pressure is measured at the same time each day; preferably first thing in the morning.

Dangers of uncontrolled hypertension

Uncontrolled hypertension is dangerous and could result in heart disease, heart attack, stroke, organ damage and death. The good news is it's a manageable condition and with the correct medication, healthy diet, exercise and no smoking, one can live a normal life.

The MediGenix answer

The MediGenix Blood Pressure Monitors are easy to use and excellent for monitoring blood pressure and checking the medication you're on is effectively treating your hypertension. It's not uncommon for one's medication and/or dose to be changed until the correct treatment is found.

• The cuff is a generous 22-36cm circumference and it comes with a handy storage case and batteries.
• The memory function conveniently stores readings you can show your doctor on your next check-up thus providing valuable information. It has 2 memory banks of 60 in each so you and your partner can both use the monitor without muddling the results.
• Importantly, the monitor has an Irregular Heartbeat Indicator which picks up on arrhythmia. Please see your doctor if you get this result as it's potentially dangerous. It shows as a little heart icon inside brackets.
• And lastly, our MediGenix Blood Pressure Monitor has the World Health Organisation (WHO) coloured bar on the screen against which your reading result will flash with a little block indicating whether your BP is safe (green), elevated (yellow) or high (red). This takes the guesswork out of interpreting the results.

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