A&D UA-631V Instruction Manual

Contents

In Canada - Auto Control Medical (Toll-Free): 1-800-461-0991 E-11What Is Blood Pressure?Blood pressure is the force exerted by blood against the walls of thearteries. Systolic pressure occurs when the heart contracts; diastolicpressure occurs when the heart expands. Blood pressure is measuredin millimeters of mercury (mmHg).What Affects Blood Pressure?Blood pressure is affected by many factors: age, weight, time of day,activity level, climate, altitude and season. Certain activities cansignificantly alter one’s blood pressure. Walking can raise systolicpressure by 12 mmHg and diastolic pressure by 5.5 mmHg. Sleepingcan decrease systolic blood pressure by as much as 10 mmHg.In addition to these factors, beverages containing caffeine or alcohol,certain medications, emotional stress and even tight-fitting clothes canmake a difference in the readings.What Causes Variations In Blood Pressure?An individual’s blood pressure varies greatly from day to day andseason to season. For hypersensitive individuals, these variations areeven more pronounced. Normally, blood pressure rises during workor play and falls to its lowest levels during sleep.ABOUT BLOOD PRESSUREUA-631V Manual_English.indd 11 8/5/09 8:08:41 PM