Did you know that there is an old saying that "there are thousands of people in a family, and blood pressure is measured differently", well, I admit that I am making it up, but isn't this a true portrayal of many families using electronic blood pressure meters?
Either the number is ridiculously lower than the official device in the hospital when measured at home, or the number jumps more vividly than a child on a trampoline after several tests. At this time, do you start to wonder if this thing is just a decoration?
Let's get back to the beginning: why is this happening? Are all electronic blood pressure monitors playing hide and seek with us, or are we all fooled by these seemingly high-tech gadgets?
Don't worry, first of all, we must understand that the popularity of electronic blood pressure monitors has indeed brought great convenience to our daily health monitoring. However, convenience and accuracy are our primary concerns, especially for those with high blood pressure who need to monitor their blood pressure closely, which can be a health and even life safety.
However, is the large electronic blood pressure monitor in the hospital the same as the small and delicate one in our home? Is it the home one like a copycat mobile phone on the market, similar on the outside, but very different on the inside? Don't forget, the device in the hospital may serve hundreds of people a day, and the home one can be used several times a week.
But does this discrepancy really mean that home electronic blood pressure monitors can't be trusted, or are we ignoring other factors that are the real culprits of this "numbers game"?
Next, let's uncover the "mystery of high blood pressure" behind this step by step: Is the electronic blood pressure monitor reliable?
Let's get to the bottom of that. First of all, the reason why electronic blood pressure monitors can enter thousands of households is because they are convenient, fast and easy to use, and there is no need to worry about the risk of breaking the mercury column. However, just as new shoes need to be worn in, electronic blood pressure monitors need to be "donned" and used correctly.
You say that your blood pressure monitor at home is not accurate? Then you must first ask yourself if you have chosen the right product when you bought it.
There are as many electronic blood pressure monitors on the market as dazzling as shampoos in the supermarket, but the truly qualified products will have some standard certifications, such as the European Society of Hypertension (ESH), the American Association of Medical Devices (AAMI) or the British Hypertension Society (BHS). These certifications are like putting a stamp on the accuracy of the blood pressure monitor, and with it, you can at least have the bottom of your mind.
Then, let's talk about the environment. In the hospital, you are measured by professional medical staff with professional equipment, and the environment is quiet, and you can basically hear nothing but your own nervous heartbeat.
But when you get home and look at that little blood pressure monitor, you may be talking to your family while measuring your blood pressure, or you may be thinking about what to eat at night, which may affect your blood pressure reading.
In addition, the blood pressure monitor in the hospital is calibrated regularly, just like your car needs to be serviced regularly. But the one at home, do you have a regular "check-up" for it? Yes, the electronic blood pressure monitor also needs to be calibrated regularly to ensure that its readings are consistent.
Not to mention the operation method, which is a big troublesome problem. If you casually tie the cuff around your arm, you will get a lot less accurate readings. The position of the cuff, how tight it is, and even the way you sit can affect the measurement. Moreover, blood pressure itself is like the stock market, sometimes high and sometimes low, and is affected by various factors, so it is normal for repeated measurements to differ.
Finally, let's talk about "white coat hypertension", which is a real phenomenon, that is, some people may have a high reading because of nervousness when their blood pressure is measured in the hospital. But at home, when you relax more, your blood pressure will naturally be lower.
Therefore, it is a bit wrong to say that the electronic blood pressure monitor is not accurate. Accuracy is a system engineering, which is related to equipment, environment, operation, and individual psychological state. It's like a choir, everyone has to sing their part well in order to perform the perfect harmony.
Okay, let's dig deeper into this topic. If you're convinced that your small appliance is a real helper, the source of your blood pressure instability may be elsewhere.
First, it's important to recognize that blood pressure is a dynamic indicator that can change over time, position, mood, activity level, and even weather. This means that the "not too high" reading you take at home may be your real blood pressure at the time. However, when you are in the hospital, you may be sweating from the road, or you are nervous, then your blood pressure is naturally higher than at home.
Now, assuming that you have followed the instructions and the environment is so quiet that you can only hear the ticking of the clock, but you still find that the blood pressure reading is like playing with a plane jump after several consecutive measurements, then you should probably consider whether your blood pressure monitor needs to be calibrated.
Remember, any delicate instrument needs to be checked and maintained regularly. Your blood pressure monitor is no exception. If you find that its readings are starting to get erratic, then the best thing to do is to take it to the hospital and compare it with the hospital's equipment. If there is not much difference in readings, you can rest assured, but if there is a large difference, there is a problem with the blood pressure monitor and it needs to be calibrated or repaired.
But don't forget, calibration is also important. Some dealers may offer calibration services, but ideally it should be sent back to the original factory so that the person who produced it can take care of it. It's like you wouldn't just find a roadside stall to fix your car.
Also, let's talk about the details that affect blood pressure readings. Whether you are sitting in the correct position, whether your back is close to the back of the chair, whether your feet are flat on the floor, and whether your upper arms are at the same level as your heart, whether the cuffs are neither too tight nor too loose, and whether you are relaxed are all things that need to be carefully watched.
You see, the devil is in the details, and it's not just as important to do things, it's just as important to measure blood pressure. Therefore, if you have done all of the above, then the readings displayed by your blood pressure monitor are likely to be reliable.
After this in-depth discussion, we can honestly say that the electronic blood pressure monitor is not an unreliable toy, but a credible home health assistant. We don't need to doubt it, just use and maintain it correctly. Just like the ancients said: "If you want to do a good job, you must first sharpen your tools." The same is true for blood pressure monitors, their accuracy requires our careful care and correct use.
Since we talk about the desire to do good work, we have to mention that blood pressure monitoring is for health after all. Health is not just a game of numbers, it includes the balance and harmony of diet, exercise, sleep, mood and other aspects. The sphygmomanometer is just a ruler in our hands, and our lifestyle is the real paintbrush to draw the blueprint of health.
Finally, let's end this discussion about electronic blood pressure monitors in a more poetic way. Imagine that on a quiet afternoon, you sit by the window, the sun is shining obliquely on your body, you gently tie the cuff on your arm, at that moment, in addition to the slowly rising numbers on the blood pressure monitor, there is also your love and expectation of life.
It's not just measuring blood pressure, it's a ritual of life, a respect for health, and a celebration of life.
Blood pressure monitors, whether electronic or mercury, are a gift from the times. Through it, we can better grasp our own health and understand more deeply the fragility and preciousness of life. So, cherish your small household appliance and use it correctly, it will become a faithful companion on your health road.
So, we can't help but ask, electronic blood pressure monitor, do you still doubt it?