Let’s Talk About Blood Pressure

Did you know high blood pressure affects about 1 in 3 people aged 18 and over (34%) in Australia?¹
If you are one of them, at-home blood pressure monitors can help you monitor your blood pressure accurately without a trip to the hospital or doctor’s office, especially if you have a health condition. Omron is one company that makes these monitors – keep reading to learn about Omron’s blood pressure monitors.

Four Considerations to Lower your Blood Pressure

If your blood pressure remains high, it can lead to serious health problems. Lifestyle changes are very important to help manage high blood pressure and lower your risk of cardiovascular disease.²

What about: Daily Activity

Try to do at least 30 to 45 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity on most, if not all, days of the week. This can be done in bouts of 10 minutes or longer if that is more convenient. Walking is a great activity for all ages.

What about: Diet

Following a diet that emphasises the intake of vegetables, fruits and whole grains, including low-fat dairy products, such as in the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet may help reduce your blood pressure.

The Australian government recommends 2,000 mg of sodium per day (equivalent to about 5g of salt or 1 teaspoon).

What about: Salt Intake

Try reducing the amount of salt (sodium) you eat by instead adding herbs and spices to flavour foods. Choose low-salt (less than 120mg sodium per 100g) food where possible and avoid packaged and processed foods.

What about: Medications

There is a large variety of medicines available to lower and manage high blood pressure. Once your Doctor has prescribed this medication, it is important that you continue to take the medication as prescribed and have regular consultations to review how it’s working.

Omron is a monitor that can help you measure your blood pressure at home. The Omron HEM7156 blood pressure monitor provides simple, reliable and accurate blood pressure measurement at the touch of a button. This blood pressure monitor also incorporates a 60-reading memory with date and time and a 360º IntelliWrap Cuff.

Here are our top tips for use:

Use the manual that comes with your monitor to set the time and date properly. (Otherwise, it won’t store your results accurately.) If multiple users are logging blood pressures with the same machine, you’ll also want to set that up in advance.
Make sure the air plug is securely inserted in the main unit.
Increase consumption of starchy foods like banana, rice and bread and yoghurt containing live cultures.

medications such as antibiotics and anti-nausea drugs
anti-diarrhoeal medications
Find a comfortable location and sit with your feet flat on the floor. You’ll want to be able to rest your cuffed arm on a surface at heart level.
Turn your hand with your palm facing up. Then, apply the cuff so the blue stripe is on the inside of your arm aligned with your middle finger. The air tube should run down the inside of your arm, and the bottom of the cuff should be approximately 1/2 inch above your elbow.
Press the start button on the monitor.
Watch the screen for results to flash – you’ll want to record this information.⁴

What is considered a healthy blood pressure varies from person to person. Your Doctor will advise you about what your ideal blood pressure is based on your circumstances, including your overall health.

The following figures should only be used as a guide, please speak to Emslie’s Floreat Pharmacy for more information. ²

Interested in trying Omron? We can help! Ask us to help you find the model that’s best for you to start monitoring your health today.

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