Are you measuring your BP accurately?

Did you know that high blood pressure, or hypertension, is the leading cause of a preventable death worldwide? In fact, over 10 million lives are lost to high blood pressure every year, and tragically, only half of this affected population is aware of the condition’s impact on the quality and longevity of their lives.

If hypertension is infamously fatal, then why is a large portion of the population unaware or mistreated for this condition? A study published in the American Journal of Hypertension suggests that a discrepancy could increase by home blood pressure monitoring devices measuring inaccurately up to 70% of the time, causing many hypertensive individuals to go undiagnosed by clinicians.

Here at SunTech, we take great pride in manufacturing quality blood pressure monitors that enable people globally to accurately measure their blood pressure. To ensure correct measurement techniques, we have compiled a list of factors to consider while you are roll up your sleeves and getting to know your numbers.

This World Hypertension Day, do you know your numbers?

Yes. At SunTech, we believe that knowing two numbers (systolic and diastolic blood pressure) can help change the world. The better we know our numbers, the better equipped we are to monitor and manage our health. 

We invite you to join SunTech as we celebrate World Hypertension Day on Tuesday May 17th, 2022. World Hypertension Day is an awareness event initiated by the World Hypertension League to emphasize the prevalence and dangers of hypertension, as well as promote healthy practices to monitor and manage the condition. Stay tuned to learn more about this year’s theme of accuracy, control and living longer as we publish our 3-part blog series for World Hypertension Day.

For accurate BP readings, the cuff can be placed on the limb on a dog if the limb is elevated.

Have you heard the requirement for blood pressure (BP) readings that the cuff must be at the same height as the patient’s heart? You may already be aware that this is necessary for all oscillometric monitors to get the most accurate readings possible.

But why is this necessary for accuracy? 

SunTech’s mission or Massive Transformational Purpose (MTP) is:

Saving & extending lives by enabling the world to know their vascular health

It is really exciting when we get the chance to support other organizations who share a similar mission, such as the American Heart Association. The American Heart Association funds more cardiovascular and stroke research than any U.S. organization except the federal government. Some of the activities that the AHA funds include:

• Public Health Education, including helping people identify the warning signs for heart attacks and strokes
• Research seeking new discoveries related to causes, prevention, and treatment of heart disease and stroke
• Professional Education & Training
• Community Service focused on detection of cardiovascular and stroke-related problems

Chloe is modelling our size #3 Vet Cuff

Here at SunTech we get this question a lot: How do I know when it is time to replace an old blood pressure cuff? 

There are a couple of foolproof ways to tell if your BP cuffs are getting worn out.

ABPM and HBPM in action

 When it comes to the diagnosis of high blood pressure, or hypertension, in patients, many health organizations, including the American Heart Association, recommend either Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring (ABPM) or home blood pressure monitoring (HBPM). This is recommended for most patients with high in-office BP readings.

These two methods of diagnosing hypertension are often considered superior to solely relying on in-office BP readings, which might offer a misleading picture of your patients’ health and could lead to misdiagnosis and over or under-medication.

But what are the differences between ABPM and HBPM? Does one practice offer any inherent benefits over the other?

The rate of Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring (ABPM) studies is on the rise with more and more clinical organizations recommending ABPM for routine hypertension. While patients are familiar with office and home blood pressure monitors, ABPM remains a relatively unknown procedure. How do you explain ABPM to your patients and ensure you get the compliance you need for accurate diagnosis and treatment?

A patient with high BP readings in the office is a prime candidate for ABPM to confirm diagnosis of hypertension. The American Heart Association recommends either ABPM or home blood pressure monitoring (HBPM) for most patients with high in office BP readings.  

SunTech Medical Launches New Vet BP Monitor Carrying Case

We are very excited to announce the release of a new Vet BP Monitor carrying case made for our Vet monitors. This new case adds both a new level of utility as well as protection to our already rugged and colorful Vet BP monitors.

This case was specifically designed with our veterinarians and vet techs in mind. The durable nylon case fits any of our SunTech Vet BP monitors with their monitor accessories and has 2 large pockets on each side for cables or cuffs. Having all your BP equipment organized in this case makes moving everything from one patient room to the next a breeze.

Going off-site? Easily transport the monitor holding the top handle or simply attach the adjustable shoulder strap and wear it over the shoulder. Love pockets? We do too! There is yet another large pocket on the bottom of the case that is detachable and holds large, flat items such as equine size cuffs.

Good news! Our Vet BP Free Item Promotion has now been extended until March 31st, 2021 due to popular demand!

Here's how you can get a pack of 6 cuffs, a monitor carrying case, or an AccuVet temperature probe FREE.

After your purchase of a Vet30, Vet25E, or Vet30E monitor, go to our website to register your device and enter in one of the rebate codes below.

Could poor sleep or not enough sleep lead to an increase in your blood pressure (BP)? It’s not fully understood how and why, but it’s thought that sleep helps regulate stress hormones and helps your nervous system to remain healthy.  Over time, lack of sleep could hurt your body’s ability to regulate stress hormones, leading to high blood pressure (hypertension).¹

Dr. Michael Grandner, Director of the Sleep and Health Research Program at the University of Arizona, says, “Hypertension is a key cardiovascular risk factor.  There are now many studies that have been able to show that insufficient sleep and poor sleep quality are related to the development of high blood pressure and other aspects of heart disease.”  Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder in which breathing repeatedly stops and starts. Those with this disorder have been found to be at higher risk of hypertension.²