Take time for your heart
One measurement can make the difference
Half of people living with hypertension are completely unaware of their condition1. Untreated, it can lead to heart attacks, strokes, or kidney damage. And because high blood pressure usually shows no symptoms – the only way to know if you’re at risk, is to check your numbers by simply using a blood pressure monitor.
It’s My Measurement Month. It’s a good moment to take time for your heart.
It’s My Measurement Month, the largest global public blood pressure screening campaign ever, led by the International Society of Hypertension (ISH). In the previous three years, volunteers across 100 countries have screened around 4 million people, identifying over a million people with inadequately treated hypertension. Proud to support My Measurement Month, OMRON Healthcare is donating clinically validated blood pressure monitors to keep this campaign going and help raise global awareness of high blood pressure.
Knowing your blood pressure can change your life. So why not start today?
OMRON’s new range of blood pressure monitors make it easy to stay on top of your numbers at home. And with the OMRON connect app, all your readings are automatically stored on your phone. By tracking your numbers over time, you can combine monitoring with small changes in your daily routine, and see your progress as you work towards your health goals.
Check out our newest blood pressure monitors below!
Need more guidance? Check out our blood pressure monitor buying guide.
What does high blood pressure mean?
High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, puts a strain on your heart and blood vessels – making you more prone to heart attacks and strokes.
Your blood pressure is generally considered to be high if its above 140/90 mmHg, when measured at the doctor’s office. At home, where you’re likely to be more relaxed, the limit is slightly lower at 135/85 mmHg.
If your blood pressure is between 120/80 and 140/90 mmHg, you may be at risk of developing hypertension at some stage in the future unless you take action. You should consult your doctor to bring it under control.
A systolic blood pressure reading over 179 mmHg or a diastolic over 109 mmHg are considered to be a hypertensive crisis2, and requires immediate treatment.
Can hypertension affect me?
Almost anyone can suffer from hypertension. Although some groups are at a higher risk including the obese, elderly, diabetic and pregnant women. Other lifestyle factors such as heavy smoking and individuals under a great deal of stress can also have a higher risk. But you don’t need to fall into any of these specific demographics to suffer from hypertension. It can affect virtually anyone.
Unfortunately, and despite being so easy to diagnose, the adverse death toll on hypertension is way too high. 10 million lives are needlessly lost every year due to high blood pressure, according to the International Society of Hypertension.
What does high blood pressure feel like?
One of the problems with high blood pressure is it often has no symptoms: it’s a silent disease, not something you can feel when you wake up in the morning. And because 1 out of 2 people with this condition remain blissfully unaware of it, regular monitoring is of the utmost importance: it’s the only way to know if you’re at risk.
Want to learn more about the symptoms of high blood pressure? Click here.
Beyond measurements
Keep calm and eat well
Your lifestyle also impacts your blood pressure and the health of your heart. Monitoring is half of the picture. Whether you have high blood pressure now or want to reduce your risk of cardiovascular disease later, you need to keep a healthy lifestyle.
The first step to making lifestyle changes is to think about what you eat. We’re all aware eating better can help us improve our health. The key tips to aid a healthy heart are to:
- Reduce your salt intake to 5-6 g per day – reducing your salt intake to this level has been proven to be as effective as single drug therapy.
- Drink less than 14 units of alcohol per week – this is equivalent to 6 175ml glasses of wine, 6 pints (approximately half a liter) of normal-strength beer or 5 pints of cider.
- Increase consumption of vegetables, fruits and low-fat dairy products.
It’s a good day to have a great workout
It’s often said that “good things come to those who sweat”. Well, to enjoy the glow of good health, you must exercise. That doesn’t necessarily mean spending excessive time in the gym every day: it could just involve pruning the garden hedge, walking the dog, or riding your bike a couple of miles. It is recommended to carry out at least 30 minutes of moderate dynamic exercise 5 to 7 days per week, so upping those steps is a positive way forward!
Losing weight and avoiding stressful situations are also important tips to keep your blood pressure under control.
At OMRON, we are committed to helping you reach your goals beyond measurement. Equip yourself with the facts you need to know to maintain a healthy lifestyle and keep your blood pressure under control.
References:
1 Retrieved from maymeasure.com – International Society of Hypertension.
2 G. Pepe, S. Contri, M. Castelli, A. Pavellini, P. Nazerian, P. Ticali, S. Vanni, S. Grifoni. Hypertensive Crises in the Emergency department: true story or chasing the white rabbit? Prevalence and clinical picture in patients with severe elevations of arterial blood pressure. European Heart Journal, Volume 34, Issue suppl_1, 1 August 2013, P1435, https://doi.org/10.1093/eurheartj/eht308.P1435
*For home blood pressure monitors in Europe (EU9) Kantar Health, survey with cardiologists (2019)