Electronic BP and Pulse Monitors Devices

Electronic blood pressure monitors are designed to assess blood pressure without requiring the use of a stethoscope and manually operated sphygmomanometer. They do so by using a built-in air pump to inflate a cuff placed around an individual’s upper arm or wrist to occlude blood blow in the local artery. Then, the pressure is gradually released using a digitally controlled solenoid valve until the point at which the blood pressure is sufficient to cause blood to flow through the artery. This is then recorded as the systolic blood pressure. Pulse rate is also simultaneously recorded at this point. The measurement that is taken when the blood flow is no longer restricted is recorded as the diastolic pressure.

The signal from the pressure sensor is converted by an analog-to-digital converter where the systolic pressure, diastolic pressure, and pulse rate are calculated in the digital domain using the algorithm specific to the type of monitor and sensor used. These measured values are then displayed on a liquid-crystal display (LCD), time stamped, and stored in non-volatile memory.

Health Data Aggregation Connected

The convenience, quickness, and ease-of-use makes electronic digital blood pressure monitors a highly desirable option for home or clinic use. Depending on product, connected BP monitors have the ability to upload data to a computer or smart phone for further analysis and tracking of measurements over time. This data transfer is usually done through a USB interface or wirelessly sing Bluetooth Low-Energy radio link.

Blood Pressure

A person’s blood pressure is literally a measurement of the force of blood pushing against the walls of the arteries. Force is needed to push the blood throughout the cardiovascular system. Blood pressure is measured and reported as two distinct numbers expressed as (millimeters of mercury) systolic over diastolic pressure.

• Systolic pressure: the pressure exerted outward against the walls of the artery

when the heart contracts.

• Diastolic pressure: the pressure exerted outward against the walls of the artery

when the heart is in its relaxation phase.

• Pulse Pressure: the difference between the systolic and diastolic blood pressures. The pulse pressure creates a pulse wave that is palpable at various pulse points on the body that can be used to determine pulse rate.

 

Hypertension

Defined as abnormally high resting blood pressure. Unlike some other medical conditions, which typically have outward signs, hypertension (high blood pressure) is often referred to as the silent killer because of the absence of outward signs of the disease. It is the most prevalent cardiovascular disease in America with an approximate 73 million Americans (1/3 of adults) affected by the disease and 1 billion affected worldwide. In the U.S., of those adults over 18 years of age with high blood pressure:

• Less than 1/3 have their hypertension under control
• Approximately 1/3 are unaware that they have the condition

Over the span of a lifetime, 90% of people will develop hypertension and the prevalence is of hypertension is greater in Mexican Americans (5.5% higher than whites) and in African Americans (43% higher).

High blood pressure is dangerous to health because it increases the work of the heart, damages the inner lining of arteries, contributes to the hardening of arteries, and the development of:

• Myocardial Hypertrophy                      
• Congestive Heart Failure
• Retinopathy (blindness)
• Nephropathy (kidney failure)
• Cardiovascular Disease (CAD and heart attack, CVD and stroke)
• Aneurysm
• In pregnant women it can lead to seizures or death, as well as premature births or stillbirths

Classification of Blood Pressure: Normal blood pressure (normotensive) is defined as values less than 120/80 mm Hg. The prehypertension category (systolic between 120/80 mmHg and diastolic and 139/89) identifies individuals at high risk of developing hypertension as well as the related heart and vascular problems. These individuals are strongly encouraged to modify their lifestyle in order to reduce their risk of developing hypertension.

Classification of Blood Pressure for Adults

Classification	Systolic Pressure		Diastolic Pressure
Normal Blood Pressure	Under 120 (mm Hg)	And	Under 80 (mm Hg)
Prehypertension	120 to 139	Or	80 to 89
Hypertension – stage 1	140 to 159	Or	90 to 99
Hypertension – stage 2	160 to 179	Or	100 to 109
Hypertension – stage 3	180 to 209	Or	110 to 119
Hypertension – stage 4	210 or over	Or	120 or over

Source: Adapted from U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, 2004, p. 12.

ProHealthcareProducts.com offers arm and wrist electronic digital blood pressure monitors as well as models that include pulse oximetry temperature.