Frequently Asked Questions

BLOOD PRESSURE MONITOR

Q1. Which type of OMRON Blood Pressure Monitor should I purchase?

Answer

For greater convenience choose an "automatic" inflation blood pressure monitor (most
upper arm and all wrist models). This type of monitor inflates at the touch of a button. In
seconds your blood pressure and pulse are displayed. OMRON "automatic" inflation blood
pressure monitors have a wide variety of features that include models with memory
functions, high-speed measurement, and compact design. IntelliSense Technology offers the
advantage of personalised inflation.

Wrist Blood Pressure Monitors give you the portability of a "wristwatch" style blood
pressure monitor.

We recommend those persons with severe hypertension or diabetes or arteriosclerosis to

consult their healthcare professional prior to measuring blood pressure at the wrist.

Q2. Why my readings are lower at home than at my doctor's office or

hospital?

Answer

Blood Pressure varies throughout the day, so at any given moment your blood pressure can
change.
The most common cause for higher readings in a professional environment is known as "
White Coat Hypertension". White Coat Hypertension is caused by the stress or anxiety a
person experiences in a professional setting.

Q3. Which is more important systolic or diastolic reading?

Answer

Both readings are important. One measures your blood pressure during a heart contraction
and the other measures blood pressure between heart contractions. For your particular
situation, you should discuss both measurement results with your doctor.
Q.4 What is Morning Hypertension?

Answer

Morning Hypertension is defined as the weekly average for morning blood pressure reading
(blood pressure measured within 1 to 2 hours after awakening in the morning) exceeding
135/85 mmHg.

There are two types of morning hypertension:

Patients either have consistently high blood pressure through the night or experience blood
pressure increases while asleep Patients experience extreme dips in blood pressure at night
and extreme surges in the morning.
In either case, it is very difficult to detect morning hypertension. By the time patients go to
see a doctor, their blood pressure may have already decreased--making the condition
impossible to diagnose. That is why doctors recommend monitoring blood pressure at
home.

Significant Impact
There are important reasons why patients are being encouraged to differentiate between
general hypertension and morning hypertension. It is common knowledge that
cardiovascular events and stroke are more common in the morning, and both appear to be
linked to morning hypertension. Organ damage and diabetic complications also seem to
correlate with morning blood pressure surges.

Q5. Can I take a blood pressure measurement on my arm without removing

clothing?
Answer

Remove tight fiting clothing from your upper arm. Do not roll the clothing on your arm.

We recommend removing clothing from arm. If clothing interferes with the measurement
an error message may display on the screen.

Q6. When is the best time to measure my blood pressure?

Answer

To trend your blood pressure readings prior to contacting the doctor, Omron recommends
you take measurement at the same time each day in the same environment.

Do not take a measurement when under stress, patient should rest for 15 minutes before
taking the measurement and follow all the directions for your monitor printed in the
instruction manual.
Q7.Why should I monitor my blood pressure at home?

Answer

Home blood pressure monitoring is one of the best methods of trending a person's blood
pressure in their own environment. It provides valuable information to the doctor for
developing treatment plans while allowing the person to participate in his or her own
healthcare.

Q8.What is Blood Pressure?

Answer

Blood Pressure is the force on the walls of your blood vessels as blood flows through them.
Heart is like a pump. When it contracts, or beats, it sends a surge of blood through the
blood vessels and pressure increases. This is called your systolic pressure.

When heart relaxes between beats, blood pressure decreases. This is called your diastolic
pressure.

These two numbers provide important information about your health. When blood
pressure is consistently above normal it is called hypertension (high blood pressure).

Q9. Why does blood pressure fluctuate during the day?

Answer

Blood Pressure changes constantly throughout the day. Blood pressure has a daily pattern.
Blood pressure is normally lower at night while you're sleeping. Your blood pressure starts
to rise a few hours before you wake up. Your blood pressure continues to rise during the
day, usually peaking in the middle of the afternoon. Then in the late afternoon and evening,
your blood pressure begins dropping again.

Q10. Why are my readings higher at home than at my doctor's office?

Answer

Blood Pressure varies throughout the day, so at any given moment blood pressure can
change. It is very important to follow the directions for taking a measurement in the
instruction manual for your monitor. The correct technique when using a home blood
pressure monitor is critical and may differ from how the unit in a professional office or
hospital is used.
If the cuff is wrapped too loosely or not positioned correctly on the arm, the device may not
be able to capture the signals from your arteries and your readings may be higher. Always
make sure that patient is sitting in the correct position so arm is at heart level. If arm is
lower than your heart this may result in a high blood pressure reading.
Q11.Do blood pressure measurement results differ between the upper
arm and the wrist?

Answer

In general, blood pressure measurements taken at the wrist and taken on the upper arm
may vary by +/- 10 mmHg. Always consult with doctor before using a wrist monitor.

If a circulatory condition exists such as; arterial blockage, narrowing of the arteries or
another disorder that may effect blood flow, blood pressure results may greatly differ
between measurements taken on the upper arm and measurements taken at the wrist.

Q.11.Why do I need to wait between readings?

Answer

Taking a blood pressure measurement constricts your arteries.

We recommend, to wait 1 to 2 minutes between measurements.

This allows your arteries to return to their condition prior to taking the measurement.

You may need to wait longer depending on your physiological condition.

Q. 12 When taking a blood pressure measurement why does my arm need to

be at heart level?
Answer

Positioning your arm below heart level leads to an overestimation of systolic and diastolic pressures
and raising the arm above heart level leads to underestimation.

The magnitude of this error can be as great as 10 mm Hg for systolic and diastolic pressures.

Q.13 What is White Coat Hypertension?

Answer

White coat hypertension is defined as an increased blood pressure measurement that results from
various influences in the professional environment, for example patient anxiety.

Q.14 What method is used in taking the blood pressure measurement?

Answer

Omron digital blood pressure monitors use the oscillometric method of blood pressure
measurement. This means the monitor detects your blood’s movement through your brachial artery
and converts the movements into a digital reading.
 NEBULIZER
Q.1How do I properly clean the Mesh Cap?
Answer

1. After each inhalation treatment, remove the Mesh Cap from the Medication Bottle and discard
remaining medication.

2. Pour a small amount of distilled water into the Medication Bottle and replace the Mesh Cap.
3. Turn on the unit to nebulize the water for 1-2 minutes to remove residual medication in mesh
holes.
4. Turn off unit and remove the Medication Bottle from the Main Unit.
5. Remove the Mesh Cap from the Medication Bottle and discard remaining water from the
Medication Bottle.
6. Rinse the Medication Bottle, Mesh Cap and other attached parts in distilled water. Do not wash
the Medication Bottle or Mesh Cap under strong running tap water.
7. Wipe off excess water with a clean dry cloth and allow the parts to dry thoroughly in a clean
environment. Do not use any type of cloth or tissue to wipe the Mesh Cap, the fibers may clog the
holes of the Mesh Cap.

8. Reassemble the device and store it in the Storage Case or in a clean environment.
It is recommended to sterilize the mesh by boiling once a week or every 10 days.

Q.2 Why is the medication leaking?

Answer

The medication may overflow if more than 7ml of medication is poured into the bottle.

To prevent the medication from leaking make sure the medication bottle and the mesh cap are
properly closed. Make sure there is no visible damage to the medication bottle or mesh cap.

Q.3 When should the filter be changed on the unit?

Answer

If the filter changes color, medication has spilled on the filter, or the filter been used for 60 days the
filter should be changed. DO NOT RUN NEBULIZER WITHOUT FILTER.

Q.4 How do I remove moisture in the air tube?

Answer

If there is moisture or liquid remaining in the air tube, follow the procedure below:

1. Make sure that the air tube is still connected to the air connector of the compressor.
2. Unplug the air tube from the nebulizer kit.
3. Turn on the compressor and pump air through the air tube to expel the moisture.

Q.5 How do I disinfect the nebulizing parts?

Answer

To disinfect the parts, use one of the methods described below:

■ Use a commercially available disinfectant. Follow the instructions provided by the disinfectant
manufacturer.
1. Submerge the parts in the cleansing solution for the specified period.
2. Remove the parts and discard the solution.
3. Rinse the parts with clean hot tap water, shake off excess water and allow to air dry in a clean
environment.

■Parts may be boiled between 15 to 20 minutes (except for PVC mask).

After boiling, carefully remove the parts, shake off excess water and allow to air dry in a clean
environment.

Q.6 Can distilled water be used in a nebulizer system?

Answer

Do not use any liquid or medication in a nebulizer system without consulting your doctor.
Q.7 Are there any age restrictions for using a nebulizer system?
Answer

There are no age restrictions for the use of a nebulizer with pediatric and adult patients in the home,
hospital and sub-acute care settings. The use of the device is restricted based on the prescribed
medication. Your physician will determine the correct nebulizer to use with your prescribed
medication.

Q.8 What common diseases can a nebulizer system be used to administer

medication?
Answer

A nebulizer system is used to treat the symptoms of conditions like chronic obstructive pulmonary
disease (COPD), asthma, emphysema, chronic bronchitis and other respiratory disorders as directed
by a physician.
 BODY COMPOSITION MONITOR

Q.1 Body fat percentage increased even after exercising. Why did this
happen?
Answer

Body water has an influence on the readings.

During exercise, the body sweats and body water decreases, The flow of the electrical current is
imparied and the body fat percentage will seem to increase.

You should avoid taking measurements whenever there is a change in body water such as; after a
bath or sauna, drinking alcohol or large amounts of water, within 2 hours of eating a meal.

If a measurement is taken under these conditions, the calculated body composition may differ
significantly from the actual one because the water content in the body is changing.

Q.2 Can the body composition be used if the person has a pacemaker?
Answer

This monitor cannot be used with a cardiac pacemaker or other implanted medical devices. Do not
use, or allow others to use, this monitor if fitted with a cardiac pacemaker or other medical device.

Q.3 When should I take a measurement in order to obtain accurate body fat
percentage?
Answer

It is recommended to take a measurement in the morning, when at least 2 hours have passed after
having breakfast before having lunch, in the afternoon 2 hours after having lunch before having
dinner, or when at least 2 hours have passed after having dinner before bedtime because there is
less change in body water in such time periods.
Q.4 What is BMI (Body Mass Index)?
Answer

Body Mass Index (BMI) is a number calculated from a person's weight and height.

BMI provides a reliable indicator of body fatness for most people and is used to screen for weight
categories that may lead to health problems.

Calculated using kilograms and meters:

weight in kilograms / height in meters / height in meters

Q.5 What is body fat percentage?

Answer

Percent body fat is the percentage of fat your body contains. Body fat percentage refers to the
amount of body fat mass as part of the total bodyweight.
Q.6 Why does the body fat percentage values change with age?
Answer

OMRON Body Composition Monitor estimate body fat percentage from personal data including
height, weight, age, and gender as well as body impedance.

Fat generally changes with advancing age; therefore, the measured values naturally change with
age.

Q.7 How does a Body Composition Monitor work?

Answer

Omron Body Composition Monitor estimates the body fat percentage by the Bioelectrical
Impedance Method.

Muscles, blood, bones and body tissues with high water content conduct electricity easily. On the
other hand, body fat does not store much water, therefore has little electric conductivity.

The Body Composition Monitor sends an extremely weak electrical current through your body to
determine the amount of water in each tissue. You will not notice or feel the electrical current.

Q.8 How is basal metabolism calculated?

Answer

Omron Body Composition Monitors calculate basal metabolism values based on a person's age,
gender, height, weight and impedance. The calculation developed by Omron uses the highly
individual values of muscle mass and body fat amounts.

Q.9 What is basal metabolism?

Answer

Basal metabolism is the amount of energy required by an individual in the resting state, for such
functions as breathing and circulation of the blood.