CalHealth md-100 User Manual - page 7
MDMouse User Manual Model MD-100
7
Understanding Blood Pressure
What is blood pressure?
The heart creates a force as it pushes blood into the arteries
and through the blood circulation system. The arteries create
another force as they resist the blood flow. Blood pressure is
the result of these two forces. The more blood your heart
pumps and the narrower your arteries, the higher your blood
pressure.
Blood pressure is expressed by two numbers which show your “Systolic” pressure (the higher
number, when the heart is pumping out blood) and “Diastolic” pressure (the lower number,
when the heart is at rest between beats).
What constitutes a high blood pressure?
According to the Joint National Committee 7 (JNC 7) definitions,
when systolic blood pressure exceeds 140 mmHg or diastolic
blood pressure exceeds 90 mmHg, this constitutes high blood
pressure (see figure below).
How can I tell how high my blood pressure is?
The MDMouse application displays measurement results (including systolic blood pressure, di-
astolic blood pressure, and pulse) based on the Joint National Committee 7 (JNC 7) classification
of blood pressure levels. The color-coded displays provide a convenient way of gauging the
condition of your blood pressure.
It is recommended that you consult a physician to fully understand blood pressure levels.
Changes in Blood Pressure
A person's blood pressure is constantly changing. Blood pressure can fluctuate considerably
through the course of a single day, and it is also affected by the seasons and by the weather.
One or two readings are not sufficient to get an accurate picture of your blood pressure. Ideally,
you should get into the habit of checking your blood pressure at fixed time several times a day,
every day, and keep a detailed record of these readings. This record can then be e-mailed or
faxed to your doctor, helping you to monitor your health on an ongoing basis.
A normal, healthy person's blood pressure fluctuates within a range of approximately ±10
mmHg.