LifeSource UA-787W - Manuel (Page 21)

E-15 Auto Control Medical (Toll Free): 1-800-461-0991
ABOUT BLOOD PRESSURE
Answers to Why your Readings Are Different Between
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home and at the Doctor’s Office
Your blood pressure readings taken in a doctor’s office or hospital setting may be
elevated as a result of apprehension and anxiety. This response is known as white
coat hypertension.
When I bring my monitor to a doctor’s office, why do I get a different
measurement from my monitor to that taken by a doctor or nurse?
The healthcare professional may be using a different sized cuff. The size of the
bladder inside the cuff is critical for the accuracy of the measurement. This may
give you a different reading. A cuff too large will produce a reading that is lower
than the correct blood pressure; a cuff that is too small will produce a reading
that is higher than the correct blood pressure. There may also be other factors
that can cause the difference in measurements.
Keys to Successful Monitoring:
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Blood pressure fluctuates throughout the day. We recommend that you are con-
sistent in your daily measurement routine:
Measure at the same time each day.
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Sit in the same chair/position.
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Do not cross legs and keep your feet flat on the floor.
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Relax for 5 minutes before measurement.
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Use the correct cuff size to get an accurate reading.
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Sit still during measurement – no talking, eating or sudden movements.
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Record your measurement in the logbook.
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