Technology is transforming the way we look after our health, and one of the areas that has seen significant progress is blood pressure monitoring. With the popularization of smartphones, a number of apps have emerged that promise to measure blood pressure easily and conveniently, just by using your cell phone. But are these apps reliable? Which one is best for you?
Why is monitoring blood pressure important?
Monitoring blood pressure is fundamental for a number of reasons that are essential for a person's cardiovascular and general health. Blood pressure is the force that blood exerts on the walls of the arteries as it is pumped by the heart to the rest of the body. This measurement is made up of two values: systolic pressure, which represents the pressure in the arteries when the heart is beating, and diastolic pressure, which represents the pressure in the arteries when the heart is at rest between beats.
1. Risk of cardiovascular disease
The risk of cardiovascular disease is one of the most significant reasons to monitor blood pressure regularly and carefully. Cardiovascular diseases are a group of conditions that affect the heart and blood vessels, and include conditions such as coronary heart disease, heart failure, stroke, peripheral arterial disease and hypertension, among others.
High blood pressure, or hypertension, is a major risk factor for the development of several of these cardiovascular conditions. When blood pressure is constantly high, the arteries can become narrower and stiffer, increasing the heart's workload and increasing the risk of serious complications.
For example, hypertension is one of the main risk factors for coronary heart disease, which occurs when the arteries that supply blood to the heart muscle become narrowed or blocked, preventing proper blood flow to the heart. This can lead to angina (chest pain), heart attack and other serious cardiovascular complications.
In addition, high blood pressure is also an important risk factor for developing a stroke. When blood pressure is high, there is extra pressure on the blood vessels in the brain, increasing the risk of a blood vessel rupturing or a clot blocking blood flow to a part of the brain, resulting in an ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke.
Other cardiovascular conditions, such as heart failure and peripheral arterial disease, can also be affected by high blood pressure. Hypertension can cause damage to blood vessels throughout the body, affecting the function of the heart and blood circulation to other parts of the body, such as the legs and feet.
2. Risk of cerebrovascular accident (CVA)
The risk of stroke is closely linked to high blood pressure and is one of the main reasons why monitoring blood pressure is so important. A stroke occurs when the blood supply to a part of the brain is interrupted, resulting in damage to brain tissue due to a lack of oxygen and nutrients. There are two main types of stroke: ischemic stroke, which is caused by the obstruction of a blood vessel, and hemorrhagic stroke, which is caused by the rupture of a blood vessel.
High blood pressure is one of the main modifiable risk factors for stroke. When blood pressure is high, there is extra pressure on the blood vessels in the brain, increasing the risk of a blood vessel rupturing or a clot blocking blood flow to a part of the brain, resulting in an ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke.
In addition, high blood pressure can also contribute to the development of other conditions that increase the risk of stroke, such as atherosclerosis, which is the narrowing and hardening of the arteries due to the build-up of fatty plaques and other substances on the artery walls. Atherosclerosis can lead to the formation of blood clots that can break loose and travel to the brain, causing an ischemic stroke.
3. Prevention of organ damage
High blood pressure can damage vital organs in the body over time. This includes the kidneys, where high blood pressure can result in chronic kidney disease or kidney failure. In addition, hypertension can cause damage to the blood vessels in the eyes, increasing the risk of hypertensive retinopathy and loss of vision.
4. Early identification of health problems
Regularly monitoring blood pressure can help identify health problems early on. If blood pressure is consistently high, this may indicate the need to make lifestyle changes or start medical treatment to control blood pressure and reduce the risk of complications.
5. Treatment follow-up
For those who already have high blood pressure or are undergoing treatment for hypertension, regularly monitoring blood pressure is essential to ensure that the treatment is working properly. This allows for adjustments to the treatment, if necessary, to ensure that blood pressure is kept within healthy levels and reduce the risk of complications.
Application options for measuring blood pressure on your cell phone
With the advance of technology and the growing popularity of smartphones, more and more people are looking for convenient and affordable ways to monitor their health directly via their cell phone. One area in particular that has aroused interest is blood pressure measurement via mobile apps. These apps promise a simple and practical way of monitoring cardiovascular health without the need for specialized devices. However, given the variety of options available on the market, the question arises: which are the most reliable apps for measuring blood pressure via cell phone?
Blood Pressure Monitor - Family Lite
Blood Pressure Monitor - Family Lite is an application available for mobile devices that promises to measure blood pressure simply and conveniently using just the smartphone's camera. Developed by Healthy Apps, this app is one of the popular options for those looking to monitor their blood pressure without the need for specialized equipment.
One of the main features of Blood Pressure Monitor - Family Lite is its intuitive and easy-to-use interface. The process of measuring blood pressure is relatively simple: the user needs to place their finger on the camera lens of the cell phone and wait a few seconds while the app takes the measurement. The app then displays the systolic and diastolic pressure results, allowing the user to keep track of their readings over time.
In addition to measuring blood pressure, Blood Pressure Monitor - Family Lite also offers additional features to help users monitor their cardiovascular health. For example, the app allows users to record their readings in a blood pressure diary, which makes it easier to track trends over time and share the information with healthcare professionals if necessary.
Another interesting feature of Blood Pressure Monitor - Family Lite is the ability to generate graphs and reports of blood pressure readings. This allows users to easily visualize their readings over different periods of time and identify patterns or trends that may be relevant to their cardiovascular health.
My BP Lab
My BP Lab is an app developed in collaboration between Samsung Electronics America and the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), with the aim of providing a convenient and affordable way for users to monitor their blood pressure using their smartphones. The app is part of a joint effort to explore how mobile technology can be used to improve cardiovascular health and better understand users' stress and emotional well-being.
One of the distinctive features of My BP Lab is its innovative approach to measuring blood pressure. Instead of relying on external equipment, the app uses the smartphone's camera to record blood pressure readings. Users are instructed to place their finger on the camera lens and wait a few seconds while the app captures the images needed to calculate blood pressure.
In addition to measuring blood pressure, My BP Lab also offers additional features to help users monitor and manage their cardiovascular health. For example, the app allows users to record their physical activity, stress levels and sleep patterns, providing a more comprehensive view of their cardiovascular health and emotional well-being.
Another interesting aspect of My BP Lab is its data-based approach to understanding how stress affects blood pressure. Users are invited to take part in research studies within the app, in which they are asked to perform specific activities designed to induce stress. By monitoring changes in blood pressure in response to stress, researchers hope to gain valuable insights into how stress affects cardiovascular health and how it can be managed effectively.
Heart Habit
Heart Habit is an application designed to help users monitor their blood pressure using only their smartphones. Developed by Heart Habit Inc., the app stands out for its simple and intuitive interface, making it accessible to a wide range of users interested in monitoring their cardiovascular health.
One of Heart Habit's distinctive features is its approach to measuring blood pressure using the smartphone's camera. Similar to other apps of this kind, users are instructed to place their finger over the camera lens and wait while the app records the blood pressure readings. Once the measurement is complete, the app displays the systolic and diastolic blood pressure results, allowing users to track their readings over time.
In addition to measuring blood pressure, Heart Habit offers a variety of additional features to help users manage their cardiovascular health. For example, the app allows users to record their blood pressure readings in an integrated diary, making it easy to track trends over time and share the information with healthcare professionals if necessary.
Another useful feature of Heart Habit is its ability to generate graphs and reports of blood pressure readings. This allows users to easily visualize their readings over different periods of time and identify patterns or trends that may be relevant to their cardiovascular health. In addition, the app also offers customizable reminders to help users remember to measure their blood pressure regularly.
Qardio
Qardio is a company known for its innovative health monitoring devices and applications. The Qardio app is an extension of this vision, offering users a convenient way to monitor their cardiovascular health using their smartphones. Let's explore more about the functionalities and features that make Qardio an interesting option for blood pressure monitoring.
One of Qardio's main features is its integration with the brand's own blood pressure monitoring devices. Users can connect their Qardio devices to the app to easily measure their blood pressure, heart rate and other health parameters. This provides a more integrated and reliable experience for users who already own Qardio devices or are interested in investing in a complete monitoring system.
In addition to measuring blood pressure, the Qardio app offers a variety of additional features to help users keep track of their cardiovascular health. For example, users can set up personalized reminders to measure their blood pressure regularly, which can be useful for maintaining a consistent monitoring routine. The app also allows users to record other relevant information, such as physical activity levels, diet and medications, providing a more comprehensive view of cardiovascular health.
Another interesting aspect of Qardio is its intuitive and easy-to-use interface. The application presents clear and concise graphs and reports of blood pressure readings, allowing users to easily visualize their health information and identify patterns or trends over time. This can be useful for monitoring progress towards specific health goals or for sharing information with health professionals during medical consultations.
Technology for health
Although mobile blood pressure apps offer convenience and ease of use, it's important to remember that their accuracy can be questionable. They can be useful as a complementary tool for keeping track of your cardiovascular health, but should not replace traditional monitoring methods, such as using a certified blood pressure monitor.
If you're worried about your blood pressure, it's always best to consult a qualified healthcare professional. They can recommend the best monitoring method for you and provide guidance on how to interpret your readings and take steps to control your blood pressure.
The choice to use a mobile blood pressure app is a personal one and depends on your individual needs and preferences. Make sure you research and choose an app from a reliable source and always consult a healthcare professional if you have any questions or concerns about your blood pressure.
See also: What is the best calorie counting app?
March 31, 2024
She has a degree in Literature - Portuguese/English, and is the creator of the Escritora de Sucesso website. As a writer, she seeks to expand everyone's knowledge with relevant information on various subjects. At Trend-Topics, she brings news and content ranging from entertainment to the country's economic situation.
