Determining blood pressure precisely is no longer the only selling point for modern measuring devices. Depending on the equipment, handling the devices is easier and data can be archived and the measured values can be classified. In addition, the devices can detect arrhythmias and some devices even record the heart rhythm using an EKG measurement.
Can iPhone check blood pressure
New technology thrives in this digital era. Apple health blood pressure monitoring app is now available for all to record their blood pressure readings and act accordingly. It further comes with the suggestions, blood pressure record app can help in maintaining physical health and fitness. We have mentioned some instructions below on how to track blood pressure, what devices can be used for BP sync and track blood pressure on iPhone and other devices.Blood pressure measurement at home is a useful addition to measurements in medical practice for diagnosing hypertension. If the value measured by the doctor is higher than the self-measured value at home, this is known as "white coat hypertension". Conversely, when taking measurements at home, masked hypertension can be revealed if the patient measures higher values than the doctor. Regular self-measurement can be a decisive factor in determining whether drug therapy is initiated or not. Long-term measurement is recommended if there are large differences between home and medical blood pressure measurements or if the values fluctuate significantly. The patient wears a mobile device for a period of 24 hours. The measurements are taken every 15 minutes during the day and every 30 minutes at night.
Test seal for measuring accuracy
Blood pressure can also be measured using an arm cuff. There are two different methods. The traditional auscultatory and oscillometric methods used in most devices today. The auscultatory method is considered very accurate. The doctor listens to the Korotkoff noises (pulse-synchronous flow noises of the blood) using a stethoscope that occur during the pressure release. This method is usually not suitable for self-measurement, but it can be used in pharmacies with the appropriate training. With the oscillometric method, the blood pressure is determined via the oscillations of the arterial walls during the measurement. These vibrations are best measured when the jar is compressed halfway. Via a mathematical algorithm.The oscillometric method used to be considered less precise. However, modern devices are on a par with the classic auscultation method. Independent companies such as the German High Pressure League (DHL) test blood pressure monitors and certify devices that measure precisely with their test seal. For this purpose, the devices are tested on 96 subjects from different blood pressure categories and compared with the auscultatory method. The difference between the measured values must not be more than 5 mmHg.
Better to measure BP twice using Apple BP monitor
It is better to measure blood pressure twice a day and always at set times. Cardiologists recommend the periods of one time between 8 a.m. and 10 a.m. and then again between 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. Stimulating substances such as caffeine, alcohol and nicotine and exertion should be avoided 30 minutes before the measurement. The measurement is optimally carried out after five minutes of sitting. During the measurement process, the patient must not speak or move too much so as not to falsify the measurement results. Many devices are equipped with alarm functions that indicate incorrect measurements caused by movements. Blood pressure fluctuates. DHL therefore recommends measuring twice with a pause of one minute between measurements and noting the lower value. Automatic multiple measurements, which are included in some devices, however, sometimes pause only 15 seconds. As a basis, the manufacturers cite a study with 50 test persons in which both interval measurements produced similar results. The break is necessary because the vascular system is compressed during the measurement. The devices measure blood pressure very quickly. Therefore, there are always problems when you explain to the patient that they should sit for three or better five minutes and that the measurement only takes 20 seconds. We recommend waiting a minute between measurements. Certainly there are devices that have set a shorter interval, but this is more for the patient's needs. In order to detect high blood pressure, it is important to measure over a longer period of time. "The blood pressure should be measured for at least two weeks," says Eckert. “This is the only way to detect increased blood pressure. “If after two weeks - that's around 30 measured values - at least 75% of the values are below 135/85 mmHG, then there is no elevated blood pressure. The same specifications for the measurements also apply to the control. The best way for a patient in therapy to measure their blood pressure is before taking the medication so that the long-term effects can be adequately determined."For further convenience
Many devices are equipped with additional features to facilitate operation and handling of the data. People with limited vision should pay attention to a sufficiently large and well-lit display when choosing. Some devices also have a voice function (e.g. aponorm Voice ®, BM 49 ®). Touch displays or soft-touch buttons mean that less effort is required to operate the devices. With some devices, the operation is reduced to a button and thus greatly simplified. Warning signals or traffic light schemes on the display help to classify the measured blood pressure values into risk categories. Most devices also have internal storage. The capacity ranges from 30 values up to twice 100 values (memory for two users). If the storage capacity is exceeded, the oldest values are deleted. The measured values are not saved in guest mode. In this way, visitors who normally do not use the device can check their blood pressure without the values mixing up.Data transfer
Many manufacturers offer software, online databases or apps for computers, tablets or smartphones to back up data. The data can be transmitted conventionally via USB or wirelessly via Bluetooth or NFC (Near Field Communication). With some devices, the data transfer works automatically after the connection is established. The user can thus get an overview of his values and follow the course of the blood pressure. The data can be seen as a graph or in a table. Depending on the software, the mean values are calculated for all measured values and for individual times of the day. Depending on the manufacturer, the data is stored locally or externally on a server. External storage offers the advantage of being able to access the values from other devices. This allows data stored on the computer can be shown to the doctor via smartphone. Besides, measure blood pressure iPhone is also easy, especially when it comes to Apple BP monitor.Arrhythmia Detection
High blood pressure and atrial fibrillation are major risk factors for stroke. Blood pressure monitors also record non-specific irregularities in the heartbeat. An error was triggered in devices of the first generation. In the meantime, the sensitivity of the measuring devices has been adjusted. If the device detects that the intervals between heartbeats and thus between the vibrations of the arterial walls are irregular, an indication of an arrhythmia appears. Eckert: “It makes sense to have these arrhythmias clarified by the doctor. He can then classify the cardiac arrhythmia using EKG measurements and intervene accordingly. We know that 60% of people with atrial fibrillation do not even feel it themselves. This can be dangerous if the fault persists for a longer period of time. "Newer functions (e.g.®) are able to differentiate between non-specific arrhythmias and atrial fibrillation. In the case of aponorm ® devices, the automatic triple measurement must be carried out for this.The BM95 ® takes a different approach. The device offers an ECG measurement for at home. The supplied electrode is connected to the device. The measurement can be carried out in three different ways, each corresponding to a lead of the classic EKG:
- "Right index finger breast" (corresponds approximately to "derivative 2")
- "Left index finger breast" (corresponds approximately to "derivative 3")
- "Left hand - right hand" (corresponds approximately to "derivative 1")
