The heart pumps blood in the circulation system to supply organs and muscles with oxygen and nutrients and to remove waste products. The vessels through which the blood flows to the organs are referred to as arteries. The pressure exerted by the blood on the walls of the arteries is called blood pressure. The systolic pressure is the pressure in the artery when the heart muscle contracts and pumps the blood into the body. The diastolic pressure is the pressure at the moment the heart relaxes.

High blood pressure may weaken the heart and cause arteries to harden and constrict. Narrow arteries reduce the blood supply to the organs and the heart must generate a higher pressure to maintain its performance. This further increases the blood pressure. Life expectancy can be reduced even with a moderate increase in blood pressure. Regular checks are important, because there are no external signs to give an early warning of hypertension.

Measurement at the wrist may give misleading results because of cardiac arrhythmia and age-related changes in the arteries in the wrist. Wrist monitors can give inaccurate results particularly with older people. The arteries in the upper arm are less sensitive to such influences. Therefore, occasional measurements on the upper arm are recommended as a check.

The ideal blood pressure for adults is a rest value of about 120 over 80 mmHg. Minor high blood pressure is from 140 over 90 mmHg, and moderate to high above 160 over 100 mmHg (hypertension).



If your measured blood pressure is in the normal or optimum range, home checks are sufficient. If your values are in the high normal range and you have minor hypertension, regular checks by your doctor are recommended. You should consult your doctor if your values indicate moderate or high hypertension.

Blood pressure readings obtained at the doctor’s practice by the doctor or practice staff using the standardized Riva-Rocci method of listening to what are known as the Korotkoff sounds are usually somewhat higher than the blood pressure readings you obtain when you measure it yourself in a relaxed atmosphere at home. We call this “doctor’s surgery“ or “white coat“ hypertension.

People who have raised blood pressure under the stress of everyday conditions can have normal readings under quiet conditions at the doctor’s. We then speak of “doctor’s surgery normotension“.

There should be a break of at least 5 minutes before successive measurements.

All Sanitas blood pressure monitors are clinically tested and are calibrated to be very accurate. Differences in two consecutive measurements are generally caused by other factors.

Such factors include physical or psychological changes (e.g. as a result of stress), physical movement, muscular tension, talking, excitement or noise.

The way the measurement is taken is also relevant:

• cuff applied too tightly / too loosely
• cuff not at heart level
• too short a break between measurements
• no visual or acoustic shielding of the subject

The WHO* indicator makes it very easy to interpret your measurement results. They are classified in accordance with the guidelines of the World Health Organisation (WHO). The bar graph in the display and the scale on the unit indicate the range of the blood pressure which has been recorded. You can see at a glance what your blood pressure means.

Instrument with arrhythmia identification can identify possible cardiac arrhythmia disorders during measurement and if necessary indicates the measurement with the flashing icon . This may be an indicator for arrhythmia. Arrhythmia is a condition where the heart rhythm is abnormal as a result of defects in the bioelectrical system controlling the heart beat. The symptoms (omitted or premature heart beats, slow or excessively fast heart rate) may be caused, among other things, by heart disease, age, physical predisposition, excessive use of stimulants, stress or lack of sleep. Arrhythmia can only be ascertained through examination by your doctor.

Our devices use the so called „oscillometric measurement“. In heart rate disorders, particularly atrial fibrillation, electronic devices that use oscillometric measurement are only partially suitable. In this situation, the blood pressure must be measured with the stethoscope (Riva-Rocci method) as incorrect results can be obtained with electronic devices. See notes in the instructions for use.

The SBM 19 talking blood pressure monitor is ideal for persons with poor sight. The results are shown on the display and are also spoken aloud (in German, English or Spanish).

In accordance with the “Operating regulation for medical devices“, regular technical inspections must be carried out if the device is used for trade or commercial purposes. Even in the case of private use, we recommend technical inspection by the manufacturer at 2-year intervals.