Sun River Health recently purchased 100 Blood Pressure Monitors to support clinicians in their care of patients throughout our network of care. It is important for clinicians to get an accurate blood pressure reading so they have a clear picture of a patient’s risk for heart disease and stroke. High blood pressure usually has no warning signs or symptoms, and many people do not know they have it. The only way to know if you have high blood pressure (also known as HBP or hypertension) is to have your blood pressure tested. Measuring blood pressure regularly helps our clinicians diagnose high blood pressure early so they can advise patients on steps to take to control of their blood pressure, identify risk factors that may be contributing to it, and take measures to address areas of concern – especially if other health issues are present.
Blood pressure numbers of less than 120/80 mm Hg are considered within the normal range. Blood pressure is recorded as two numbers:
- Systolic blood pressure (the first number) – indicates how much pressure your blood is exerting against your artery walls when the heart beats
- Diastolic blood pressure (the second number) – indicates how much pressure your blood is exerting against your artery walls while the heart is resting between beats
A number higher than the normal range in either Systolic or Diastolic pressure warrants investigation. The purchase of these new monitors ensures clinicians throughout our network have accurate tools to help in assessment of risk to our patients.
