Archives: FAQs

Is it true that blood pressure is mainly measured with the “oscillometric” technique? What does this mean?

In a doctor’s practice or hospital, blood pressure is commonly measured with the conventional “sound method”. Heartbeats are listened to with a stethoscope. These sounds in the blood stream occur in the arteries of the upper arm when the pressure in an inflated blood pressure cuff is slowly released. The first audible beat indicates the […]

What should be considered when doing self-measurement?

It is sensible for patients with high blood pressure to regularly measure their own blood pressure, since this gives the doctor valuable indications about the effectiveness of the treatment. You should record the measurements in a blood pressure record book and also fill in the “Comments” section with observations such as: feeling unwell, dizziness, disrupted […]

How long should I wait between measurements?

If you want to perform several measurements sequentially, you should wait at least 1 minute between two measurements. Loosen the cuff during this waiting period to enable a normal blood flow.

Under which conditions can I get the best possible measurement results?

Measurement Conditions You should measure your blood pressure under comparable living situations and under relaxed and quiet conditions at the same time frame of the day, for example every evening about an hour after you had dinner. Perform the measurement while sitting in a quiet atmosphere. Avoid eating, smoking as well as all forms of […]

On which side should I generally measure my blood pressure, left or right?

Here, we have to distinguish between upper arm and wrist devices. With upper arm devices, it is in the beginning recommended to perform several measurements on both sides. It is very important that these measurements are all performed under the same conditions. All after a relaxing period, in a sitting position, without talking and so […]

How does high/low blood-pressure arise?

The level of blood-pressure is determined in a part of the brain, the so-called circulatory centre, and adapted to the respective situation by way of feedback via the nervous system. To adjust the blood-pressure, the strength and frequency of the heart (Pulse), as well as the width of circulatory blood vessels is altered. The latter […]

Which values are normal?

Blood pressure is too high if at rest, the diastolic pressure is above 90mmHg and/or the systolic blood-pressure is over 160mmHg. In this case, please consult your doctor immediately. Long-term values at this level endanger your health due to the associated advancing damage to the blood vessels in your body. Should the systolic blood-pressure values […]

What can be done, if regular increased/low values are obtained?

Please consult your doctor. Increased blood-pressure values (various forms of hypertension) are associated long- and medium term with considerable risks to health. This concerns the arterial blood vessels of your body, which are endangered due to constriction caused by deposits in the vessel walls (Arteriosclerosis). A deficient supply of blood to important organs (heart, brain, […]

I understand that blood pressure varies over the day and I get different results, accordingly. But how high is my blood pressure really, then?

The average of several results, obtained on several days, under comparable living situations and during the same time frame of the day represents your individual blood pressure. Measure, for example, an hour after you had dinner on three sequential days and you will not find significant differences. The average of these results represents your blood […]

What is ‘White Coat Hypertension’?

White Coat Hypertension (WCH) is the popular name for the effect that the patients blood pressure might be detected on a higher level when the measurement is performed by a doctor (in his typical white coat) or a nurse. This effect is caused because one often can be excited or nervous during such “official” measurements […]