Omron M6 Blood Pressure Monitor

Omron, the leading manufacturer of blood pressure machines have introduced an excellent machine for people to use at home - the Omron M6 blood pressure monitor. With all the reliability of previous omron models the M6 has the largest digital display on the market, a supremely comfortable fitting cuff and even has the technology to detect if movement whilst taking the reading has affected the accuracy.

Learn more about the Omron M6 or buy it for less than £53 at The First Aid Warehouse

Asda join BPA in raising awareness

In the run up to Valentine's Day, the Blood Pressure Association teams up with ASDA to run an early Know Your Numbers week from 1-7 February.

We are encouraging everyone to love their hearts by knowing their blood pressure numbers and taking action to lower their blood pressure.

Everyone can do this by having a quick, easy and painless blood pressure check and making healthy lifestyle choices.

Readings will be handed back to you on a credit card size report that you can keep.

During the event ASDA customers will receive special credit card sized handout with the BPA's tips on lowering blood pressure and can have free blood pressure checks at selected stores.

Staff from Fitness First will also be offering fitness advice at selected ASDA stores and giving customers the chance to win free gym membership. Click on the links above to sign up for the BPA's Free Guides to living a blood pressure friendly life and to search for ASDA stores taking part in the event.

Put Your Man to the Test

A new campaign encourages women to test their partner’s blood pressure with a simple home test.

The ‘His Heart is in Your Hands’ campaign urges women to reduce the numbers of men who die each year from a heart disease or stroke. High blood pressure has virtually no visible symptoms resulting in more deaths and severe disability following Stroke than any other disease.

A simple home test using a Blood Pressure Monitor people can find out in just a few minutes if theiy or their partners are at risk and would benefit from medical advice and treatment.

The Blood Pressure Association, who supports home testing, says “measuring blood pressure at home with an accurate machine can be very worthwhile, it can give you more control over your blood pressure and be reassuring.

Blood Pressure Monitors are simple and easy to use at home. An inflatable cuff is put around the arm and a digital reading is given within just a few seconds.

Various Online Medical Equipment retailers who supply monitors to hospitals are now offering easy to use Home Monitors that are validated by the British Hypertension Society.

A list of recommended models/machines for home use is available at www.blood-pressure-monitoring.org/

On the site you will also find a full guide about how to measure blood pressure properly eg blood pressure is best tested when relaxed and calm.

Monitoring Blood Pressure at Home

The only way of keeping track of your blood pressure is to measure it regularly with an accurate blood pressure monitor. Be careful when you choose one because there are many types and models of blood pressure monitors available.

It is crucial that you make an informed decision about which machine to buy and will suit you best.

It is very important to monitor how your blood pressure changes over time. This way you will have an active role in taking care of your own health and it will be easier to determine what kind of treatment you need.

Prices of a digital blood pressure monitor are not too high and they are easy to use.
The British Hypertension Society produces a list of clinicaly tested accurate blood pressure monitors. You can read more about these on this page.

It is important to use a recommended machine because otherwise you may perform innaccurate measurements and this should be avoided.

You must also take into account the fact the values of the blood pressure vary for everyone, so do not be frightened if a few of your readings are a bit over the line, this is normal for everybody. You should only worry if these high values keep repeating, and in this case you should contact your doctor as soon as possible.

Also, the values of the readings that you make with the blood pressure monitors may be lower than usual a few times, which is also normal.

If you want the readings to be as accurate as possible try to sit down, rested, on a hard surface when performing the measurements.

Finally do not forget that the purpose of measuring your blood pressure at home is is to lower it!

Blood Pressure Testing Week 11 - 17 September

Know Your Numbers

The National Blood Pressure Testing Week is from 11th to 17th September 2006. This UK wide awareness week offers free blood pressure checks to members of the public using accurate blood pressure monitors in a wide variety of places.

Details fo where you can get your blood pressure measured will be posted at your local pharmacy, supermarket, shopping centre, Community Centre, surgery or work place nearer the time.

Visit this site to find out more about blood pressure monitoring .

This event is organised by the Blood Pressure Association.

Blood Pressure and Hot Weather

During periods of hot weather many people who have high blood pressure begin to ask "does the hot weather affect my blood pressure?"

Due to the heat it is likely that more dehydration than usual occurs and this can be a cause of raising blood pressure.

Drinking plenty of water should help combat this.

If you want to check your blood pressure regularly at home then you can find out lots of information about buying and using home blood pressure monitors at the Blood Pressure Monitoring Website.

The new UK guidelines to blood pressure medicines and what they mean for you

The new UK guidelines to blood pressure medicines and what they mean for you


If you have high blood pressure and are taking medicines to treat your condition, then this information sheet is for you. It contains information about the latest UK guidelines for treating high blood pressure and how this may affect you.


KEY POINTS

UK guidelines published in June 2006 have given new advice on which medicines should be used to treat high blood pressure.

One group of older medicines, beta-blockers, which have previously been used as a first choice of treatment for high blood pressure is no longer to be routinely used, except in a few special situations.

Taking newer medicines to treat high blood pressure significantly reduces the risk of having a stroke when compared with beta-blockers. They are also less likely to cause diabetes when compared with beta-blockers.

Your doctor may change your treatment if you are currently taking a betablocker.

Do not stop taking your medications suddenly or without consulting your doctor or nurse.

These new guidelines are a collaboration between the two UK organisations that publish guidelines on high blood pressure. This means that there is now one very clear pathway for health professionals and their patients to follow when choosing medicines.

Guidelines to follow.....view pdf