Panasonic EW-BU04W - Manual (Page 4)

I Introduction
Thank you for purchasing the Panasonic Automatic Arm Biood Pressure Monitor EW-BU04.
Measuring your own biood pressure is an important way of monitoring your heaith. High
biood pressure (hypertension) is a major heaith probiem which can be treated effectiveiy
once detected. Measuring your biood pressure between doctor visits on a reguiar basis in the
comfort of your home, and keeping a record of the measurements, wiii heip you monitor any
significant changes in your biood pressure. Keeping an accurate record of your biood
pressure wiii heip your doctor diagnose and possibiy prevent any heaith problems in the
future.
I Basics of Blood Pressure
Your heart acts iike a pump, sending biood surging through your biood vesseis each time it
contracts. Blood pressure is the pressure exerted by blood pumped from the heart on the
walls of blood vessels. Systolic pressure is the pressure exerted when the heart contracts
and pumps blood into the arteries. Diastolic pressure is the pressure exerted when the heart
expands, or relaxes. When you or your doctor take your blood pressure, both your systolic
and diastolic pressures are measured. If your blood pressure measurement is 120 mmHg
over 80 mmHg (120/80), for example, your systolic pressure is 120 mmHg while your
diastolic pressure is 80 mmHg.
I Important Instructions Before Use
1. Do not confuse self-monitoring with self-diagnosis. Blood pressure measurements should
only be interpreted by a health care professional who is familiar with your medical history.
2. If you are taking medication, consult with your physician to determine the most
appropriate time to measure your blood pressure. NEVER change a prescribed
medication without first consulting with your physician.
3. Blood pressure can vary based on many factors, including age, gender, weight and
physical condition. In general, a person’s blood pressure is lower during sleep and higher
when he or she is active. Blood pressure can change easily in response to physiological
changes. The setting in which a person’s blood pressure is measured can also affect the
results.
Having one’s blood pressure measured by a healthcare professional in a hospital or clinic
can cause nervousness and may result in a temporarily elevated reading. Because blood
pressure measurements taken in a clinical setting can vary considerably from those
taken at home, a person’s blood pressure should be measured not only occasionally in
the doctor’s office, but also on a regular basis at home. Also, if you find that your blood
pressure is lower at home, this is not unusual. To accurately compare with your
physician’s reading, take your Panasonic blood pressure monitor to your doctor’s office
and compare readings in this setting.
4. People suffering from cardiac arrhythmia, vascular constriction, liver disorders or
diabetes, people with cardiac pacemakers or a weak pulse, and women who are
pregnant should consult their physician before measuring their blood pressure
themselves. Different values may be obtained due to their condition.
5. Try to take your blood pressure measurements at the same time and under the same
conditions every day.
• The ideal time to measure your blood pressure (to obtain your so-called “base blood
pressure”) is in the morning just after waking up, before having breakfast and before