Dr.Frei A-20, User Manual

Page: 6 / 86

6
WHAT IS BLOOD PRESSURE?
Blood pressure is the force exerted on the walls of your blood vessels as
blood flows through them.
The heart is like a pump. When it contracts. or beats, it sends a surge of
blood through the blood vessels and pressure increases. This is called
systolic pressure. When your heart relaxes between beats, your blood
pressure decreases. This is diastolic pressure.
When a doctor takes your blood pressure, he or she measures both
your systolic and diastolic pressures and records them as numbers. For
example, if your blood pressure reading is 126/76(126 over 76), your
systolic is 126 and your diastolic is 76. The numbers are calculated in
millimeters of mercury and recorded as 126/76 mmHg.
Blood pressure varies during the day. Factors influencing your blood
pressure include physical activity, medications, and your emotional and
physical condition. A single measurement does not provide a true picture
of your blood pressure. You need to measure your blood pressure over
a period of time.
ImPORTANT:
CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR TO DETERMINE YOUR
NORMAL BLOOD PRESSURE. ONLY A DOCTOR IS QUALIFIED TO
DIAGNOSE AND TREAT HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE. PRACTICE THE
MEASUREMENT PROCEDURES FOR THIS INSTRUMENT CARE-
FULLY. CHECK YOUR PROCEDURE WITH YOUR DOCTOR.
Heart Contracts
(Pressure Increases)
Heart Relaxes
(Pressure Decreases)