Braun ExactFit™ 5 – BP6200 Upper arm blood pressure monitor

 

 

 

 

Braun ExactFit™ 5 – BP6200 Upper arm blood pressure monitor

What is High Blood Pressure?

Blood pressure is the pressure of the arterial blood against the arterial walls, when blood circulates through the body. 2 measures are needed to read the Blood Pressure level: the Systolic (SYS) BP (when heart contracts) and Diastolic (DIA) BP (when heart relaxes). Usually readings are measured in mmHG (mm of mercury).

High Blood Pressure happens when arteries become narrow due to plaque deposition; the pressure of the arterial blood against the arterial walls becomes is higher than normal.

High blood pressure is not a fatality and one can live with it if treated at the right time. But one of the big problems with high blood pressure is that it hardly ever causes symptoms. This means it may go unnoticed until it causes one of its later complications, such as a stroke or heart attack. We estimate ½ of the people suffering from HBP ignore it, that’s why it is important to start checking your blood pressure on a regular basis at home from the age of 40.

Causes of hypertension are mostly unknown. Heredity and age definitely play a role. However we know today that some behaviours of our day-to-day life can influence negatively our level of blood pressure; among them are obesity, salt, smoking, alcohol, lack of exercise.

For more tips and advice controlling your blood pressure.

Living with High Blood Pressure

When I was asked to try out the Braun ExactFit 5, I knew straight away who I would ask to test this out for me.

My Mother has suffered with High Blood Pressure for quite a few years now, even though she is on medication from the Doctor to try and lower her blood pressure, she still finds her blood pressure readings can fluctuate on a daily basis.

I do worry about her health when she tells me the readings she has had during doctor’s appointments. I felt a relief when I noticed that with the Braun Exactfit 5 my mother would not only be able to check her own readings accurately at home but the Braun ExactFit 5 records and stores your last 60 measurements. I find this such a fantastic tool as she can compare her readings from day to day to check for any irregular or extremely high readings.

My father can even do his own blood pressure readings and have his own user memory completely separate from my Mothers.

My Mother has been using the Braun Exactfit 5 for the last three weeks, during this time on two separate occasions the appearance of the Irregular Heartbeat symbol has occurred. This is where a measurement signifies that a certain pulse irregularity was detected during the measurement. Talking, moving, shaking or an irregular pulse during the measurement can result in the appearance of this icon. Usually this is not a cause for concern, however if the symbol appears often, we recommend you seek medical advice.

Obviously I was worried for my Mother, but very relieved that this was picked up and without the Braun Exactfit 5 we may have never acted upon this and made a doctors appointment. I must add that this device does not replace a cardiac examination.

The Braun Exactfit 5 is such an easy device to use, complete with two size cuffs, engineered in Switzerland and comes complete with a 3 Year warranty. Fully automatic for reliable readings, soft inflation for more comfortable measurements, this is one thing I personally hate about having my blood pressure taken normally, how tight the cuff gets.

Other key features include; Large buttons and easy to read LCD display, Morning and evening average function of past 7 days, Automatic switch off function after 1 minute idle, professional accuracy – ESH, systolic, Diastolic and pulse measurements.

I would definitely recommend purchasing one of the Braun Exactfit 5 devices for yourself or one of your loved ones, a christmas gift that could help protect the ones you love from Hypertension a potentially silent killer.

 

For further details visit The Braun website Packed full of information and advice, Braun’s new microsite includes tips on controlling your blood pressure as well as practical videos showing you how to fit your Braun blood pressure monitor and understand your measurements. The Braun blood pressure monitors are available nationwide at selected Boots stores.

**Disclaimer we were sent this product to review, however all thoughts and opinions are my own*