Blood pressure management: What role does the patient play?

Blood Pressure Management:
What Role Does the Patient Play?

Reading duration: Approximately 6 minutes

Published: 30/09/2024 | Last Edited：14/10/2024

High blood pressure is widespread and represents a significant health risk. A report by the European Society of Cardiology shows that 36% of women and 41% of men in Europe suffered from high blood pressure in 2019 [1]. Although many were treated, the treatment was often not sufficiently effective. While the incidence of high blood pressure is decreasing in most European countries, the proportion is increasing in countries with medium resources.

Serge Kownator MD

Serge Kownator MD is head of the cardiovascular center "Coeur de Lorraine" Thionville in France and specialist in cardiology and vascular diseases. He is a member of the French Society of Cardiology and a former member of the Congress Programme Committee of the European Society of Cardiology. He made a significant contribution to the 2011 and 2017 ESC guidelines on peripheral arterial disease and regularly speaks at international congresses, some of which he chairs.

New Guidelines for the Treatment of High Blood Pressure

Self-measurement and Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring

Advanced technologies for blood pressure measurement

Advantages of the HUAWEI WATCH D2 for high blood pressure monitoring

Conclusion

New Guidelines for the Treatment of High Blood Pressure

The latest recommendations of the European Society of Cardiology [2] define high blood pressure as values above 140/90 mmHg. A systolic blood pressure even below 120 mmHg already increases the risk of cardiovascular disease. A new patient category includes people with:

• Systolic blood pressure between 120 and 139 mmHg

• Diastolic blood pressure between 70 and 89 mmHg

This group has high blood pressure and an increased cardiovascular risk, and should initially be treated with lifestyle changes. Drug therapy only makes sense if the risk is high. The aim is to keep systolic blood pressure between 120 and 129 mmHg. These limits apply to the measurement of blood pressure during a doctor's consultation.

Good to Know:

Systolic blood pressure: Is the higher value in a blood pressure measurement and indicates the pressure in the arteries when the heart contracts and pumps blood into the body - it is an important indicator of heart health.

Diastolic blood pressure: Is the lower value in a blood pressure measurement and indicates the pressure in the arteries when the heart relaxes and fills with blood - it is important for assessing vascular elasticity.

The following lifestyle changes help to lower blood pressure and reduce cardiovascular risk:

• Healthy diet: Increased consumption of fruit, vegetables, whole meal products and low-fat foods; reduction of salt and saturated fats.

• Weight management: Lose weight if you are overweight, as every kilo lost can lower blood pressure.

• Regular exercise: At least 150 minutes of moderate physical activity per week, such as brisk walking, cycling or swimming.

• Stress management: Use techniques such as relaxation exercises, meditation or yoga to reduce stress.

• Regular blood pressure monitoring: Monitor blood pressure at home to observe the effect of lifestyle changes and adjust if necessary.

Of course, everyone’s health is different, and therefore significant changes should be discussed with a doctor.

Self-measurement and Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring

Blood pressure measurements at the doctor's surgery are often only snapshots and can be distorted by stress and other factors. This is why self-measurement and ambulatory blood pressure monitoring are becoming increasingly important and the role of the patient is fundamental.

• Elevated blood pressure: Values between 120-134 mmHg (systolic) and 70-84 mmHg (diastolic) are considered elevated. High blood pressure begins at values of 135 mmHg (systolic) or 85 mmHg (diastolic).

• Use of self-measurement: Particularly valuable for obtaining more accurate data.

• Ambulatory blood pressure measurement (ABPM): Helps to recognize hidden or nocturnal high blood pressure, and takes average daytime and night-time values into account.

However, these methods also present challenges, such as the inconvenience of ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) at night.

Advanced technologies for blood pressure measurement

In contrast to other devices that work without a cuff, the HUAWEI WATCH D2 uses a pressure-based method that is similar to the technology used in conventional wrist blood pressure monitors. It uses a wristband with an inflatable bag that is activated by a mini pump included in the watch.

It enables both classic self-measurements and automated measurements in ambulatory mode, which can be individually programmed. An alarm informs about the programmed time of the blood pressure measurement, whereby the measurement takes place manually or automatically during the waking time and automatically during the sleeping time.

"The HUAWEI WATCH D2 not only looks new, but above all offers a new way of measuring blood pressure by introducing an automated ambulatory measurement that can be programmed over different periods of time depending on the patient's needs. This is the ‘Bespoke’ blood pressure measurement, so to speak."

Advantages of the HUAWEI WATCH D2 for high blood pressure monitoring

As part of technological development, various cuff-less personal devices that can measure blood pressure, also considered as a heterogeneous group of novel technologies, have been tested by researchers [3]. The results were very different, which is why these devices are currently still being tested to check their accuracy [3,4,5]. These devices often use the method that use light to measure how well the blood flows through the vessels. The HUAWEI WATCH D2 fills this technical gap with practical functions that could be useful for people with high blood pressure and monitoring of blood pressure. The ability to automatically measure blood pressure throughout the day and night cycle particularly helpful. These measurements can be customised, which makes it easier to manage your own health in everyday life.

• Automated measurements: Customisable throughout the day and night cycle, and not uncomfortable to wear, as the pressure is almost imperceptible when sleeping.

• Alarm function: Notifies you of scheduled measurements that are taken manually or automatically.

• Comprehensive data: Takes into account everyday strains such as stress or exertion.

This form of measurement is particularly useful, as high blood pressure is often asymptomatic and everyday factors such as stress can be directly taken into account. Even if these devices do not replace medical monitoring, they offer a valuable approach to early detection. Conversely, in many cases, certain symptoms are attributed to episodes of high blood pressure without there being any evidence for this. An ambulatory blood pressure measurement (ABPM) self-measurement or, even better, an automatic 24-hour measurement can confirm or refute the connection.

Good to Know:

High blood pressure episodes: sudden, intermittent rises in blood pressure above normal levels.

• Symptoms: Headaches, dizziness, palpitations.

• Causes: Stress, certain foods, medication or other triggers.

• Risks: Increased risk of acute cardiovascular events.

Conclusion

The new technologies, such as the HUAWEI WATCH D2, open up innovative ways to monitor and manage high blood pressure more effectively. By precisely recording and analysing blood pressure readings, hypertension can be more accurately identified, allowing for more personalized and targeted treatment by healthcare professionals. Most notably, these technologies allow people to become more involved in their own healthcare. They can actively participate in monitoring their blood pressure, better understand the progress of their treatment and directly track its effectiveness. This development is a significant step forward in modern hypertension therapy and helps to keep blood pressure under better control in the long term and improve health in the long term.

Medical disclaimer: The HUAWEI WATCH D2 and the ECG feature is intended to be used by people aged 18 years and over, but is not intended to replace any medical diagnosis or treatment. Data obtained during the use of this device and feature is for personal reference only. Before using the device, please carefully read the Quick Start Guide, Wearing Guide, and Instruction for Use.

Due to national restrictions on obtaining approval / registration as a medical device, the Huawei WATCH D2 will only be available in selected European markets, and the ECG feature only works on watches and smartphones purchased in countries where the service is available
- Supported smartphones: Mobile phones with Android 6.0 or compatibles, HarmonyOS 2.0 or compatibles, or iOS 12.0 or compatibles. The Huawei Health app version on your mobile phone must be 11.0 or compatibles. Please make sure that your wearable device and phone are running the latest versions before using ECG.
-Heart rate, SpO2, stress, arterial stiffness, the breathing test and skin temperature are not medical device features, monitoring data and results are for reference only and should not be used as a basis for medical diagnosis or treatment.