Watch out for the silent killer
 Dec 5th, 2002
Advantages:
Very easy to use; Accurate (my doctor uses one); Saves trips to the clinic
Disadvantages:
Costs £90
Recommendable:
Yes
Detailed rating:
Value for Money
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  Collingwood21
About me:
Resolution for 2009 - get that elusive silver dot. **Thank you for the diamond for my Oahu review. T...
Member since:23.02.2001
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I suppose those of you who know me are wondering why someone of 24 is writing about a blood pressure monitor. High blood pressure is a problem of middle and old age, surely? Well, I have decided to put this together after receiving a bit of shock recently after using this monitor (and even more of a shock in finding that I can put this information in the right category for once). Before I launch into that though, I think I should first explain a bit about this condition.
- What is high blood pressure?
The blood in our bodies needs to be kept under pressure from the heart to allow it to circulate properly - without this function, our vital organs wouldn't work. When the heart beats, it pumps blood into the arteries and creates pressure in them, which results in two forces. The first force (the systolic) is created as blood is pumped into the arteries, and represents pressure when the heart is beating. The second force (the diastolic) is created as the arteries resist the blood flow, and represents pressure when the heart is resting between beats. When blood pressure measurement is taken, it is in the form of two figures - the first and higher number is the systolic and the second is the diastolic, so the overall reading is given as one number over another. Blood pressure can change from minute to minute with changes in posture, movement or stress levels, but for an adult anything
less than 90/70 is considered low blood pressure, while anything above 140/90 is considered high. While there is no ideal reading, normal is somewhere between the two.
High blood pressure - or hypertension - may be caused by a number of reasons. The arteries may be narrower, there may be more blood, or the heart could be beating faster. This situation may be caused by a number of things, such as stress (which makes the heart beat harder due to the adrenalin released), being overweight (again, the heart has to work harder), eating too much salt, or deposits narrowing the arteries - your genes may also increase the risk. However, in as many as 95% of cases, the actual cause of high blood pressure is unknown. The big worry about high blood pressure is that there are no symptoms if you have it - without measurement, you may have the condition for years on end (therefore increasing your risk of kidney failure, heart attack and stroke) without ever knowing it. This is why the condition is known as the silent killer.
- Why bother monitoring your blood pressure?
As I have said, this is the only way to know what you blood pressure is. People at risk of having high blood pressure, or those on certain medications (such as the pill) will get their BPs measured regularly at the doctors, but this may not be possible for everyone else. Home monitoring kits are becoming more widely available though, so if you can afford one, you can keep a track of your BP yourself, in the comfort of your own home.
- Why this monitor?
Boots currently produce two monitors - an upper arm monitor, and a wrist monitor, both costing £90. My dad currently owns the wrist monitor, which he bought recently for a self monitoring programme on the advice of his doctor. I am familiar with this model through using his when I am at home, and from at my local clinic, where the nurses use this very same one - which for me is a good indication of the accuracy and dependability of it.
The monitor basically looks like an oversized wristwatch, being made up of a large electronic display that is held onto your wrist with a Velcro strap (you can see a picture at http://www.wellbeing.com/shop/product_details.jsp?productid=1017187). You strap the monitor onto your left wrist, hold your arm at heart level, then turn it on - the strap then inflates, as the old fashioned pump-up arm monitors used to, and the electronic bits and pieces take a reading. Once the band has deflated, a reading appears on the LCD display, indicating your BP. It's as simple as that. This monitor therefore makes taking home readings easy and quick, and you avoid the "white coat factor" that might give you false readings if it were to be taken at your doctor's surgery (where many people feel a bit stressed). It also has the advantage of you not having to take the time to go to the doctors, and it helps your local clinic because they have to take fewer appointments for monitoring. The monitor is solid, batteries are easy to change, and it comes with a solid plastic case to protect the monitor while you are not using it.
- But why did I use it?
I am actually one of a minority of people who have consistently low blood pressure - unlike hypertension, this does have symptoms (headaches, dizziness, low energy), but it is really not a problem as far as I am concerned. I was tempted to try out my dad's monitor as I am aware that hypertension runs in my family, and was curious to see if my diagnosis of low BP held up some four years after I was told I had it. At rest, my BP was coming out with readings of around 90/70, slightly below what would be desirable.
However, as I mentioned at the beginning, I had a bit of a fright from using this monitor - and it happened when I went home for a couple of days a few weeks back. The journey home had been tiresome, and my first train was delayed by 30 minutes, causing me to miss my local connection. I did eventually find a connection and arrive home, but I think we all know the feeling of being short on time and a bit harassed when this sort of thing occurs. An hour after arriving home, I was feeling calmer and less strung out, and was relaxing. Out of curiosity, I decided to take a BP reading to see if the stress of the journey had had any effect. I was quite shocked when my reading turned out to be 148/93 - stress had shot my blood pressure up from low to high, and even an hour after the stressful event was over, I was still recording high BP. It is alarming how easily this can happen and how long the effect can last for - and when you think how stressed we get during our lives, then this could have long term effects on our health.
- The benefits of having this BP monitor are:
Makes you very aware of how stress and lifestyle affects your health
Very quick and easy to use
Saves a trip to your clinic for measurement (and saves your clinic time)
Very solid and sturdy
Well packaged
More effective than the upper-arm monitor
Compact and portable
Accurate and reliable enough for my doctor to use one
- But...
It costs £90
Some would say ignorance is bliss!
The monitor is made by Boots, as is available at their bigger stores or via www.wellbeing.com for £90.
You can find out more about high blood pressure at:
http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=468
ht tp://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/hbp/
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20.12.2004 11:49
Excellent review...you've done your research, and you put it across well ! I think everyone who reads this review will be out buying one (do you work in sales by any chance!!..ha ha). However, I think that worrying about day to day changes in blood pressure can cause more stress than not knowing your BP. Your GP will be more than willing to take your Blood pressure..and, unlike a monitor, can advise you on what to do...plus they don’t cost £90. Never the less an outstanding review!!!
19.01.2003 16:45
I read this op a while ago and I don't think I left a comment. Have now re-read it (on the way to looking for your pens op!)from your op & the comment left on my BP op, we have decided to buy this BP monitor Thanks Teresa
06.01.2003 12:49
I was very interestd to read what you had to say about this, as I studied hypertension and blood pressure as a part of my dissertation at uni. What you say is very well informed and useful, and is an excellent op. I'm not sure that I agree with you though, on how good an idea these things are! Dan