Your
cuff might be too small for you. A cuff
that is too small yields a measurement
that is higher than the correct blood
pressure. Be sure to check that you are
using the correct cuff size before taking
your blood pressure. Please reference
the section called "Select the correct
cuff" in the instruction manual or
see question 3 of this present FAQ to
determine your correct cuff size. If your
measurements still seem high, please consult
your physician.
An
individual's blood pressure varies greatly
from day to day and season to season.
Normally, blood pressure rises during
work or play and falls to its lowest levels
during sleep. The best way to get consistent
readings is to monitor your blood pressure
at least once a day, at the same time
so that you can minimize the effect that
external factors have on the reading.
Using
the correct size is important for an accurate
reading. With your arm hanging at the
side of your body, measure the circumference
of your upper arm at the midpoint between
shoulder and elbow. Based on that information,
you can determine what size cuff would
work for you using the chart below (also
available in the instruction manual):
- Small
cuff: 13 - 20 cm (5.1"
- 7.9")
- Medium
cuff: 19 - 31 cm (7.5"
- 12.2")
- Large
cuff: 30 - 45 cm (11.8"
- 17.7")
Although
you fit into a smaller cuff, you need
to use the correct one to ensure an accurate
reading. If your cuff is too small, your
blood pressure reading will be artificially
high. If your cuff is too large, you may
get a lower-than-actual reading.
For the Auto-Inflation (model UA-767),
you need to set the cuff inflation pressure
switch to a number that is at least 30
mmHg higher than your expected systolic
pressure. For example, if you believe
your blood pressure to be 140 (systolic)
over 90 (diastolic) set the switch to
180.
What if I set
it too high?
You will still receive an accurate reading,
but your arm will be constricted longer
and you may feel some discomfort.
What if I set
it too low?
The cuff will automatically deflate and
reinflate again to the correct pressure.
Although
you may be sitting correctly, and have
the pressure setting on the appropriate
level, you must remain very still. The
blood pressure monitor works by sensing
vibration of blood as it moves under the
cuff. Moving, talking and other causes
of vibration may result in an error message.
The symbols ERR or ERR2 mean that either
you or the monitor moved during the reading.
The "V" symbol means there was
air in the cuff prior to inflation. Make
sure to squeeze the exhaust valve to release
all the air out of the cuff before taking
your blood pressure.
