Last updated on October 29th, 2023 at 05:15 pm
Track Blood Pressure For Better Health: High blood pressure is a silent killer that affects millions of people worldwide. Are you aware of your blood pressure levels and the potential risks associated with it? If not, it’s time to start tracking your blood pressure for better health.
Knowing your blood pressure readings can help you identify any potential health issues and take the necessary steps to manage them. In today’s fast-paced lifestyle, it’s crucial to prioritize our health and make informed decisions about our well-being. By tracking your blood pressure regularly, you can stay on top of your health and prevent any potential complications.
Benefits Of Consistent Bp Monitoring
Benefits of consistent blood pressure monitoring include:
1. Early detection of high blood pressure: Regular monitoring allows for the early detection of high blood pressure, also known as hypertension. This is important because hypertension often has no noticeable symptoms, so monitoring can help identify the condition before it leads to more serious health problems.
2. Prevention of complications: High blood pressure can increase the risk of various health complications, such as heart disease, stroke, kidney disease, and vision problems. By consistently monitoring blood pressure, individuals can take necessary steps to manage and control their blood pressure levels, reducing the risk of these complications.
3. Effective management of medication: For individuals who require medication to control their blood pressure, consistent monitoring helps ensure that the prescribed medication is working effectively. Regular monitoring helps to determine if medication adjustments are necessary, ensuring optimal management of blood pressure.
4. Lifestyle modifications: Consistent blood pressure monitoring can provide valuable information about the impact of lifestyle choices on blood pressure levels. By tracking blood pressure, individuals can identify patterns and make necessary lifestyle modifications, such as adopting a healthier diet, increasing physical activity, reducing stress, and limiting alcohol consumption, to help manage and control their blood pressure.
5. Increased awareness and motivation: Regular monitoring raises awareness about blood pressure levels and encourages individuals to take an active role in their health. It provides motivation to make positive changes and maintain a healthy lifestyle, leading to overall better health outcomes.
6. Personalized treatment plans: Consistent monitoring allows healthcare providers to develop personalized treatment plans based on individual blood pressure patterns. By closely tracking blood pressure levels, healthcare professionals can tailor medication dosage and lifestyle recommendations to better manage and control blood pressure.
Overall, consistent blood pressure monitoring is crucial for maintaining optimal health, preventing complications, and managing hypertension effectively. It empowers individuals to take control of their blood pressure levels and make informed decisions about their health.
Tracking blood pressure can be done using a variety of tools, including manual blood pressure cuffs and stethoscopes, automated blood pressure cuffs, and smartphone apps.
These tools work by measuring the force of blood flow through your arteries as your heart beats and relaxes. It is important to note that while tracking your blood pressure can be useful for monitoring your health, it is not a substitute for regular checkups with a healthcare professional. They can provide a proper diagnosis and treatment plan if necessary.
Blood pressure tracker / Tracking blood pressure using the standard tools on a smartphone can be done using a few different methods:
Blood pressure apps: There are various blood pressure tracking apps available for download on the App Store or Google Play. These apps use the microphone and camera on your phone to measure blood pressure.
Smartwatch or fitness tracker: Many smartwatches and fitness trackers now have the ability to track blood pressure. This is done by measuring your heart rate and using this information to estimate your blood pressure.
Bluetooth blood pressure cuff: You can purchase a Bluetooth-enabled blood pressure cuff that can connect to your phone. This allows you to take your blood pressure and view the results on your phone.
Heart rate monitoring: Some smartphones have a built-in heart rate sensor which can be used to monitor your heart rate and estimate your blood pressure.
External devices: There are external devices available that can connect to your smartphone via Bluetooth and measure blood pressure.
It’s important to note that these methods may not be as accurate as traditional blood pressure measurement methods, and it’s always best to consult with a doctor to get a proper diagnosis and treatment plan.
Update 2023
2021
Another tech company has published a new device/application in the field of blood pressure monitor. OptiBP lets you monitor blood pressure on the go with your phone – CNET.
This story is part of CES, where our editors will bring you the latest news and the hottest gadgets of the entire virtual CES 2021.
It’s the start of CES 2021, one of the busiest weeks in the tech calendar, and I’m feeling pretty stressed. I take my blood pressure and no surprise, it’s higher than normal. But instead of using a traditional cuff, I’ve just measured it with an app on my phone.
Swiss startup Biospectal wants to replace the blood pressure cuff with its OptiBP app. It’s designed for people who CEO Eliott Jones calls “on-the-go hypertensives” or those with high blood pressure who have already been diagnosed by a doctor. Hypertension affects an estimated 1.13 billion people worldwide according to the World Health Organization.
How to use the blood pressure monitor application
The app works by using your phone camera and flash to measure blood flow in your finger, then uses algorithms to determine your pulse and ultimately, your blood pressure.
There’s no shortage of watches that can keep an eye on your blood-oxygen levels and even take an electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG) from your wrist, like the Apple Watch Series 6.
Blood pressure is something that only a few watches, like Omron’s FDA-cleared HeartGuide, can measure. Samsung’s Galaxy Watch 3 also has this feature, but it’s not yet FDA-cleared or active in the US. Omron has also announced its VitalSight platform at CES 2021 which can automatically send measurements from a cuff to your doctor.
But these devices are extra pieces of equipment you might not already own. Being able to take a quick reading on the go from the phone that’s already in your pocket could be a lot more convenient.
Before you take your first blood pressure reading you need to calibrate the app with a traditional blood pressure cuff. Jones says that this is the first and last time you’ll need to calibrate, unlike using a traditional cuff that requires more frequent calibration.
Lexy Savvides/CNET
Biospectal sent me a phone preloaded with the OptiBP beta and an Omron blood pressure cuff to test out the app. As it turns out, I must have pretty poor circulation in my fingers, as it took a little while for the phone to get a read on my pulse and to take a successful reading.
Jones told me that warming my hands and rubbing them together would help. Once I got warmed up, I took a reading on the app and read on the blood pressure cuff the results lined up within five points of each other. We have not yet verified the accuracy of the app with a doctor yet.
The information contained in this article is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as health or medical advice. Always consult a physician or other qualified health provider regarding any questions you may have about a medical condition or health objectives.
Source & Credits:
https://www.cnet.com/health/optibp-lets-you-monitor-blood-pressure-on-the-go-with-your-phone/
https://www.mobihealthnews.com/
VitalSight
The Biospectal OptiBP app runs on a typical smartphone and uses the built-in camera to record a user’s blood flow via their fingertip quickly and easily
As someone with high blood pressure, finding the right monitoring tool is essential.