A blood pressure tracker is a data entry program that logs blood pressure information. The purpose is to help people manage and track their heart health. Trackers are available as physical logs, using pen and paper, and in digital form. Keeping a log of blood pressure statistics can help people stay conscious of their health and hopefully will lead to healthier diet and exercise habits.
Most blood pressure trackers log systolic and diastolic blood pressure, as well as mean arterial blood pressure and pulse. Some more thorough trackers are available that include weight logs, as well as food and exercise logs. Some trackers are set up to automatically record data from the blood pressure monitor. A few programs include a feature that can send the user's data directly to his or her physician. The more information that is logged, the more information can be used to restore and maintain heart health.
A blood pressure tracker is usually recommended by a physician to prevent or treat hypertension caused by high blood pressure. The patient is expected to record his or her blood pressure using a home monitoring device. Blood pressure data has been found to be much more accurate when taken on a daily basis, as opposed to only at a doctor's visit. Readings at a doctor's office can sometimes be higher than normal.
Using a blood pressure tracker once a day can also alert the user to any spikes in blood pressure. Logging blood pressure consistently can help a person see any triggers for high blood pressure. For example, if eating a certain meal is routinely followed by high blood pressure, the person can avoid that meal in the future.
A blood pressure tracker can be used to determine how well a treatment plan is working. The information logged can help the physician adjust medication dosage if necessary. The blood pressure log can also be used to find out if changes in diet or exercise regimen are successful or need adjustment.
It is recommended that people more than 40 years of age take a daily log of their blood pressure. The blood pressure tracker should be used at different times of the day, as readings often vary throughout the day. It is important for the physician to get an overall measure of the patient's blood pressure in order to find and implement the most effective treatment course.
