Panasonic EW-BU35W - Manual (Page 4)

3
BEFORE USE
English
Introduction
Thank you for purchasing the Panasonic Automatic Arm Blood Pressure Monitor EW-BU35.
Measuring your own blood pressure is an important way of monitoring your health. High
blood pressure (hypertension) is a major health problem which can be treated effectively
once detected. Measuring your blood pressure between doctor visits on a regular basis
in the comfort of your home, and keeping a record of the measurements, will help you
monitor any significant changes in your blood pressure. Keeping an accurate record of
your blood pressure will help your doctor diagnose and possibly prevent any health
problems in the future.
Basics of Blood Pressure
Your heart acts like a pump, sending blood surging through your blood vessels each
time it contracts. Blood pressure is the pressure exerted by blood pumped from the
heart on the walls of blood vessels. Systolic pressure is the pressure exerted when the
heart contracts and pumps blood into the arteries. Diastolic pressure is the pressure
exerted when the heart expands, or relaxes. When you or your doctor take your blood
pressure, both your systolic and diastolic pressures are measured. If your blood pressure
measurement is 120 mm Hg over 80 mmHg (120/80), for example, your systolic pressure
is 120 mm Hg while your diastolic pressure is 80 mmHg.
Important Instructions Before Use
Do not confuse self-monitoring with self-diagnosis. Blood pressure measurements 1.
should only be interpreted by a health care professional who is familiar with your
medical history.
If you are taking medication, consult with your physician to determine the most 2.
appropriate time to measure your blood pressure. NEVER change a prescribed
medication without first consulting with your physician.
Blood pressure can vary based on many factors, including age, gender, weight and 3.
physical condition. In general, a person’s blood pressure is lower during sleep and
higher when he or she is active. Blood pressure can change easily in response to
physiological changes. The setting in which a person’s blood pressure is measured
can also affect the results.
Having one’s blood pressure measured by a healthcare professional in a hospital
or clinic can cause nervousness and may result in a temporarily elevated reading.
Because blood pressure measurements taken in a clinical setting can vary
considerably from those taken at home, a person’s blood pressure should be
measured not only occasionally in the doctor’s office, but also on a regular basis at
home. Also, if you find that your blood pressure is lower at home, this is not unusual.
To accurately compare with your physician’s reading, take your Panasonic blood
pressure monitor to your doctor’s office and compare readings in this setting.
People suffering from cardiac arrhythmia, vascular constriction, liver disorders or 4.
diabetes, people with cardiac pacemakers or a weak pulse, and women who are
pregnant should consult their physician before measuring their blood pressure
themselves. Different values may be obtained due to their condition.
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