Blood Pressure Monitoring Gets Easier

Gone are the days when people having a blood pressure (high or low) problem had to go to a doctor to measure their BP. The traditional blood pressure measuring cuff on the upper arm system was always criticized to give incorrect readings. But as we had no other alternative, we had to go with that.

[​IMG]Researchers at the University of Leicester and in Singapore have developed a device, very handy, small in size that could revolutionize the way blood pressure is monitored. The device, which is just like a watch can be worn on the wrist. Evidence shows it gives a much more accurate reading than the arm cuff.

Professor Bryan Williams, from the University of Leicester's department of cardiovascular sciences at Glenfield Hospital, said: "The aorta is millimeters away from the heart and close to the brain and we have always known that pressure here is a bit lower than in the arm. Unless we measure the pressure in the aorta we are not getting an appreciation of the risks or benefits of treatment."

This device has a sensor on the wrist to record the pulse wave and then, using computerized mathematical modeling of the pulse wave, scientists are able to accurately read the pressure close to the heart.

The device will surely help the patients to keep the track of their BP and keep a record of it even in their homes! This device is in market already but it will take about five more years to be used widely. Further research needs to be done to get the readings more accurate.

There are certain things that must be taken into consideration. We need to take extreme care while measuring the blood pressure. It must be done as directed otherwise it will give false results. Wrist blood pressure monitors are extremely sensitive to the body position. While monitoring the BP, your arm and wrist must be at heart level. Also, things like width of the arteries in your forearm and how deep they are under your skin matter.

The American Heart Association still insists to use the traditional device to measure the BP. But as further research is done in this field, I am sure that the day is not far when this device will outclass the traditional one. In its testing, people found it very easy to keep the track of their blood pressure.

This is yet another example of how breakthroughs and advancement in the technology help people to make their life easier, better and exciting! Well, you never know, we may even find “BP monitoring” and as an application in the cellphone one day!

Source: BBC Health

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