Microlife WatchBP Home A User manual

1WatchBP Home A EN
The Microlife WatchBP Home A is designed to provide reliable and
unbiased blood pressure measurement results, and strictly follows
European Society of Hypertension (ESH) and American Heart Asso-
ciation (AHA) recommendations for out-of-office blood pressure
measurement.1
The WatchBP Home A device has been clinically validated according
to the ESH protocol.
1O’Brien E, Asmar R, Beilin L, Imai Y, et al. European Society of
Hypertension recommendations for conventional, ambulatory and
home blood pressure measurement. European Society of Hyperten-
sion Working Group on Blood Pressure Monitoring. J Hypertens
2003;21:821-848.
Read the instructions carefully before using this device.
Microlife WatchBP Home A EN

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Table of Contents
1. Product description
• Name of parts and display
2. Before using WatchBP Home A for the first time
• Activating the device
• Setting the date and time
• Selecting the correct cuff
3. Selecting the operation mode
• «DIAG.» mode
• «USUAL» mode
4. Taking measurements using WatchBP Home A
• Easy steps for measuring blood pressure properly
5. Data Memory
• Review the last 3 individual measurements
6. Atrial fibrillation detection (Afib)
• Important facts about atrial fibrillation
• Frequent screening on multiple days
• Afib icon is displayed
• Information for the doctor
7. Installation of the software program
8. Viewing, deleting and transferring measurements
• Viewing measurements
• Deleting measurements
• Transferring measurements
9. Battery indicator and battery change
• Battery indicator
10. Safety, care, accuracy test and disposal
•Devicecare
• Accuracy test
• Cleaning the cuff
•Disposal
11. Error messages
12. Important facts about blood pressure and home measure-
ments
13. Technical specifications
• Guarantee Card

3WatchBP Home A EN
1. Product description
Name of parts and display




USUAL
DIAG.
NOCTURNAL


1
2
3
4
5
6
78
1Cuff socket
2Serial port
3Mode switch
4Power socket
5M button (Memory)
6Display
7ON/OFF button
8Battery compartment

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Display
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
917
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
9Mode indication
AT Doctor symbol
AK Atrial fibrillation detection (Afib)
AL Outside measurement time
AM Relax
AN Battery display
AO Delete memory data
AP Stored value
AQ Morning data
AR Evening data
AS Date/Time
BT Systolic value
BK Diastolic value
BL Pulse indicator
BM Pulse rate
BN Number of stored data

5WatchBP Home A EN
2. Before using WatchBP Home A for the first time
Activating the device
Pull out the protective strip from the battery compartment.
Setting the date and time
Upon removing the protective strip or installing new batteries, the
year number flashes in the display.
1. Set the year: Use the M button to select the year. Press the ON/
OFF button to confirm your selection.
2. Set the month: Use the M button to set the month. Press the ON/
OFF button to confirm.
3. Set the day: Press M button to set the day. Press the ON/OFF
button to confirm.
4. Set the time: Once you have set the hour and minutes and
pressed the ON/OFF button the date and time are set, and the
current time is displayed.
Press M button to make
selection.
Press ON/OFF button to
confirm.

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5. If you want to change the date and time, take out one battery from
the battery compartment briefly and put it back. The year number
will flash. Complete the process as described in previous steps.
Selecting the correct cuff
The WatchBP Home A device is available with different cuff sizes. If
the cuff provided with the device is an unsuitable size, please contact
Microlife.
Please use only Microlife cuffs!
S (Small size)
17 - 22 cm (6.75 - 8.75 inches)
M (Medium size)
22 - 32 cm (8.7 - 12.6 inches)
M is the correct size for most people.
L (Large size)
32 - 42 cm (12.6 - 16.5 inches)
XL (X-Large size)
32 - 52 cm (12.6 - 20.5 inches)

7WatchBP Home A EN
Connect the cuff to the device by inserting the cuff connector into the
cuff socket as far as it will go.
3. Selecting the operation mode
Prior to each measurement, use the Mode switch on the side of the
device to select the proper measurement mode.
Choose out of 2 measurement modes:
«DIAG.» (Diagnostic) or «USUAL» (Usual) mode.
DIAG. USUAL

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«DIAG.» mode
Recommended by doctors: Blood pressure is measured in
accordance with the measurement guidelines of the European
Society of Hypertension (ESH).
7 consecutive working day-measurements: Blood pressure
measurements are taken on 7 consecutive working days (or
normal week days).
Two sets of measurements per day: ESH guidelines recom-
mend one double measurement taken in the morning between
06:00 - 09:00 and one in the evening between 18:00 - 21:00.
Always perform measurements before taking your medication,
unless otherwise directed by your doctor.
X1
X1
06:00 - 09:00
18:00 - 21:00
ESH Guidelines

9WatchBP Home A EN
 Extended measurement period: WatchBP Home A has an
extended measurement period and allows morning measurements
between 04:00 - 12:00 and evening measurements between 18:00
- 24:00.
Outside these times, measurements cannot be taken and the
symbol on the right will be displayed on the screen.
Evaluation: After measurements have been carried out for a total
of 7 working days, take the device to your doctor for evaluation of
your home blood pressure data.
When measurements have been carried out for the full 7 days,
the doctor symbol will flash on the screen.
X1
X1
04:00 - 12:00
18:00 - 24:00
Extended Time

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«USUAL» mode
With Afib detection: In «USUAL» mode, three consecutive
measurements are taken automatically at 15 second intervals.
The results are averaged and displayed. The averaged readings
are automatically stored for later evaluation by your doctor.
4. Taking measurements using WatchBP Home A
Easy steps for measuring blood pressure properly
1. Avoid taking measurements directly after eating, drinking or smoking.
Allow at least one hour between these activities and measurement of
your blood pressure.
Anytime
USUAL
15 sec.
12
15 sec.
3

11WatchBP Home A EN
2. Prepare a chair and table for the measurement. The chair should
have a vertical back-rest and the table should allow your upper
arm to rest at the same height as your heart.
3. Remove all clothing covering or constricting the arm to be
measured. Apply the cuff. Make sure the lower edge of the cuff is
exactly 2-3 cm from the inner fold of your arm. The tube
connecting the cuff to the device should be placed on the inside of
the arm. (Additional visual instruction can be found on the cuff).

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4. Sit down and relax for at least 5 minutes prior to the measurement. 5. Sit upright and lean comfortably against the chair’s backrest.
Press the ON/OFF button.
The device will initiate a 60-second countdown in «DIAG.» mode
and has no countdown in «USUAL» mode.
During the measurement do not move, cross legs, or tense
arm muscles. Breath normally and do not talk.
In «USUAL» mode the device automatically measures three
times in row.
Taking less than three measurements in «USUAL» mode:
the measurement sequence can be stopped at any time by
pressing the ON/OFF button after which the average blood
pressure value will be shown on the LCD screen.

13WatchBP Home A EN
Following steps are in «DIAG.» mode only
6. One measurement cycle includes two measurements. Once the
first measurement is complete, continue to relax as you wait for
the second measurement. The second measurement will start
after 60-seconds. During this time avoid any movement.
7. Once the two readings are complete, measurement data is auto-
matically stored for future reference.
If an error displays after the readings, please repeat the first 6
steps once again.
1 2
60 sec.
Automatically stored

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8. When seven days of measurements have been collected, the
doctor symbol will flash on the display.
The doctor symbol is only displayed for measurements in
«DIAG.» mode.
Always take this device with you when you see your doctor.
5. Data Memory
The WatchBP Home A can store up to 250 averaged measurement
readings in «USUAL» mode.
In «DIAG.» mode the memory is full after the schedule has been
completed.
When memory is full, each new reading will automatically
overwrite the earliest measurement.
Review the last 3 individual measurements
Press and hold the M button until «1» is displayed on the screen. The
values of the last
3 individual measurements are displayed sequentially.
250
Measurements

15WatchBP Home A EN
6. Atrial fibrillation detection (Afib)
This device is designed to screen for atrial fibrillation during blood
pressure measurements both in «USUAL» and «DIAG.» mode.*
If atrial fibrillation is detected during all readings of the triple measure-
ments in «USUAL» mode or all four readings of one day in
«DIAG.»mode, the Afib icon is displayed.
* Joseph Wiesel, et al. Detection of Atrial Fibrillation Using a Modified
Microlife Blood Pressure Monitor. American Journal of Hypertension
2009; 22, 8, 848–852.
Important facts about atrial fibrillation
Atrial fibrillation is a common heart rhythm problem and a common
cause of major strokes. It affects more than 2 million people in North
America. It is more common in old age and found in 10% of people
over 80 years old.
About 20% of all strokes are caused by atrial fibrillation. The elderly,
or those with high blood pressure, diabetes or heart disease are more
likely to get a stroke if they have atrial fibrillation.
Atrial fibrillation is a rhythm problem that can last from a few minutes,
to days or weeks and even years. Atrial fibrillation can lead to the
formation of blood clots in the upper chambers of the heart (the atria).
These clots can break off and flow to the brain causing stroke. The
use of blood thinners, such as warfarin, can lower the risk of stroke
in patients with atrial fibrillation.
A doctor can confirm the presence of atrial fibrillation by using an
EKG. Atrial fibrillation can sometimes come and go. So a doctor may
not see its symptoms on regularly scheduled visits.
One sign of atrial fibrillation is palpitations. But, many people don’t
feel anything. These people can still get a stroke and should be
checked for atrial fibrillation regularly. Diagnosing atrial fibrillation
earlier and followed by treatment can lower the chances of getting a
stroke.

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Frequent screening on multiple days
Use this device regularly, once per week, or once per month to
screen for atrial fibrillation.
Some people may have atrial fibrillation occasionally that lasts longer
than a day. In this situation this device allows frequent screening on
multiple days for optimal diagnosis of atrial fibrillation.
Sometimes this device might falsely detect atrial fibrillation which can
have 2 causes:
1. The arm has moved during blood pressure measurement. For this
reason it is of essential importance that the arm is kept still during
the measurement.
2. Some arrhythmia (irregular heart beat) other than atrial fibrillation
might be present. In such a case it is still recommended to pay a
visit to the doctor.
Afib icon is displayed
If atrial fibrillation is detected during all readings of the triple
measurements in «USUAL» mode, at both readings of two
measurements or all four readings of one day in «DIAG.» mode
then atrial fibrillation is most likely present.
When atrial fibrillation is detected, another measurement session
should be done approximately one hour later. If this last reading
shows atrial fibrillation, contact your doctor.
Not all risk factors for stroke, including atrial flutter, may be
detected by this device.
This device may not detect atrial fibrillation in people with
pacemakers or defibrillators.
For detection of atrial fibrillation in «USUAL» mode a minimum
of 2 measurements is required.

17WatchBP Home A EN
Information for the doctor
This device is designed to detect atrial fibrillation and false negative
readings are very rare. Though it is programmed to specifically detect
atrial fibrillation, frequent premature beats, marked sinus arrhythmia
or other rhythm abnormalities might cause false positive readings. If
atrial fibrillation is detected by the device at home, we suggest
another reading done in the doctor’s office. If the atrial fibrillation icon
is not displayed then the previous abnormal readings may have been
due to transient atrial fibrillation. If the atrial fibrillation icon is
displayed then it is suggested to perform an EKG to determine the
exact rhythm abnormality.
7. Installation of the software program
1. Put the CD in the CD-ROM drive of your computer. Alternatively
click on «setup.exe» in the CD’s directory.
2. Follow the instructions provided in the installation window on the
computer screen.
3. When the installation is finished, be sure to restart the computer
before using the program.
8. Viewing, deleting and transferring measurements
Viewing measurements
1. Use the Mode switch to first select the type of measurements you
wish to view.
2. Then press the M Button.

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In «DIAG.» mode
1. When the M button is pressed, it briefly displays the total number
of measurements stored, e.g. N=20 and then switches to the
average of all readings.
2. Press the M button again to display the average of all morning
data. Press the M button once again to show the average of all
evening data.
3. Press the M button repeatedly to review all the individual readings
one by one.
4. The daily average is displayed after the individual readings of the
day.
«A» is displayed when the
number shown is the average
of all data.
«- -» will display when the
number of measurements is
less than 12.

19WatchBP Home A EN
In «USUAL» mode
1. When the M button is pressed, the number of readings. detected
with Afib are displayed.
2. Press M button again, the number of total readings stored, e.g.
N=63, is displayed; followed immediately by the average of all
measurements stored in memory.
3. All individual readings can be viewed by repeatedly pressing the
M button.
Deleting measurements
Data from «DIAG.» and «USUAL» mode can be deleted independent
of each other.

Ask your doctor if the measurement data is still required, before
deleting data. Only delete the stored measurements when you
are sure that you no longer need the data.
Individual reading

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1. Use the Mode switch to select the mode of measurements you
want to delete.
2. Press the M button and hold it for 7 seconds until the delete
symbol flashes.
3. Release the M button and press it once more while the delete
symbol flashes. The deleting is confirmed by the beep sound.
Only measurements in the selected mode will be deleted
.
Press and hold for 7 seconds
DIAG. USUAL