You Need a Blood Pressure Machine

Written by Simone Maglassis, CPT, ACSM, ACE
​https://linktr.ee/simonesfitfunlife

When was the last time you checked your blood pressure?

Did you know that it's known as "the silent killer"?

When a client books a consultation part of the consultation includes me taking their blood pressure.

​Why?

Because it’s one of the leading cause of death world wide and many don’t even know they have it until it’s too late.

For liability reasons I can't even train an initial new client during the consultation if their blood pressure is 140/90.

Here’s 3 Reasons Why You Need a Blood Pressure Machine:

​

Photo by jesse orrico on Unsplash

1. Indicator of your current health 

"About 1 in 3 adults in Canada has HBP. HBP itself usually has no symptoms. You can have it for years without knowing it. During this time, though, it can damage the heart, blood vessels, kidneys, and other parts of your body" (Life Source Canada, 2019).

​If you get a high reading, while not an immediate need for alarm, it is an indicator of your current health and whether or not you should seek treatment. The “normal“ range for blood pressure is 120/60.

If you're blood pressure stays above normal most of the time, you are at risk and should talk to your doctor. Especially if it’s in that 140/90 zone.

See below for what your blood pressure numbers represent:

Photo by Ethan McArthur on Unsplash

2. Relatively inexpensive 

The one I purchased cost me $50 but there are many that range from as low as $30 and more. 

It's such a simple, cheap and useful piece of health equipment I truly believe everyone should have. 

Photo by Online Marketing on Unsplash

3. You're going to need to get one eventually 

Out of all my senior clients I don't know a single one that doesn't have a blood pressure machine.

The older you get the more your blood pressure and overall health needs to be monitored. 
​
I recommend checking your blood pressure once a week if you're over 30-50+ and more if suffer from high or low blood pressure. 

Some tips:

• take your blood pressure in the morning (not right when you wake up) before eating and in the evening
• sit with feet flat on the floor, no talking
• wrist blood pressure cuffs tend to be cheaper but are better suited for those under 50
• still get your blood pressure checked by your doctor for accuracy
• take 3 measurements for increased accuracy. Take the first measurement then wait 30-60 seconds, then repeat.

References:

​Buying a Home Blood Pressure Monitor? 6 Things You Need To Know
Heart Team - https://health.clevelandclinic.org/buying-a-home-blood-pressure-monitor-6-things-you-need-to-know/

​Get the Most Out Of Home Blood Pressure Monitoring
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/high-blood-pressure/in-depth/high-blood-pressure/art-20047889#:~:text=The%20first%20measurement%20should%20be,the%20same%20times%20each%20day.

https://www.exerciseismedicine.org/assets/page_documents/EIM%20Rx%20series_Exercising%20with%20High%20Blood%20Pressure_2.pdf

https://lifesourcecanada.com/faqs-2/