Panasonic EW3152W EW3152 User Guide - Page 3

Important Instructions Before Use 1. Do not confuse self-monitoring with self-diagnosis. Blood pressure measurements should only be interpreted by a health professional who is familiar with your medical history. 2. If you are taking medication, consult with your physician to determine the most appropriate time to measure your blood pressure. NEVER change a prescribed medication without first consulting with your physician. 3. Blood pressure can vary based on many factors, including age, gender, weight and physical condition. In general, a person's blood pressure is lower during sleep and higher when he or she is active. Blood pressure can change easily in response to physiological changes. The setting in which a person's blood pressure is measured can also affect the results. Having one's blood pressure measured by a healthcare professional in a hospital or clinic can cause nervousness and may result in a temporarily elevated reading. Because blood pressure measurements taken in a clinical setting can vary considerably from those taken at home, a person's blood pressure should be measured not only occasionally in the doctor's office, but also on a regular basis at home. Also, if you find that your blood pressure is lower at home, this is not unusual. To accurately compare with your physician's reading, take your Panasonic blood pressure monitor to your doctor's office and compare readings in this setting. 4. People suffering from cardiac arrhythmia, vascular constriction, liver disorders or diabetes, people with cardiac pacemakers or a weak pulse, and women who are pregnant should consult their physician before measuring their blood pressure themselves. Different values may be obtained due to their condition. 5. Try to take your blood pressure measurements at the same time and under the same conditions every day. • The ideal time to measure your blood pressure (to obtain your so-called "base blood pressure") is in the morning just after waking up, before having breakfast and before any major activity or exercise. If this is not possible, however, try to take measurements at a specified time prior to breakfast, and before you have become active. You should relax for about 5 minutes before taking the measurement. 4 • The following situations may cause substantial variations in blood pressure readings and should therefore be avoided at least 30 minutes prior to taking your blood pressure. Blood pressure will be higher than usual: - when you are excited or tense - when you are taking a bath - during exercising or soon after exercising - when it is cold - within one hour after eating - after drinking coffee, tea or other beverages containing caffeine - after smoking tobacco - when your bladder is full Blood pressure will be lower than usual: - after taking a bath - after drinking alcohol 6. Measurements may be impaired if this unit is used near a television, microwave oven, X-ray equipment or other devices with strong electrical fields. To prevent such interference, use the unit at a sufficient distance from such devices or tum the devices off. 7. This unit is designed for use by adults. Consult with your physician before using this unit on a child. Do not use on infants or toddlers. 8. This unit is not suitable for continuous monitoring during medical emergencies or operations. 9. Do not use the unit for any purpose other than measuring blood pressure. Do not use the unit together with other devices. 10. Improper handling of batteries may result in battery rupture or in corrosion from battery leakage. Please observe the following to ensure proper use of batteries. a. Be sure to turn off the power after use. b. Do not mix different types or sizes of batteries. c. Change all batteries at the same time. Do not mix old and new batteries. d. Be sure to insert batteries with correct polarity, as instructed. e. Remove batteries when they are worn out, and dispose of them properly according to all applicable environmental regulations. f. Do not disassemble batteries or throw them into a fire. g. Do not short-circuit batteries. h. Do not attempt to recharge the batteries included with the unit. 5