Why should I connect my monitor?
Taking a measurement is easy. It's what you do with the measurement that is important. You can use the iHealth Accu or Accu Luminate blood pressure monitor like a conventional (non-connected) blood pressure monitor to just measure your blood pressure, but when you connect it to the free iHealth MyVitals app you can Accu or Accu Luminate, record, manage and share your results with your family, your doctor or your cardiologist. Just download the iHealth MyVitals app on the App Store or Google Play and start monitoring your health.
Your iHealth account also gives you free access to a secure cloud space, so you can manage your data, Accu or Accu Luminate your trends and share your data. To do this, go to your secure cloud space at https://cloud.ihealthlabs.com/ and sign in to the same account that you use to sign in to the iHealth MyVitals app.
Can I synchronize my monitor with a computer?
No. But once the data from your iHealth Accu or Accu Luminate is synchronised with your account through the iHealth MyVitals app, you can consult your data on your secure cloud space.
Can several users follow their blood pressure?
Yes. The iHealth Accu or Accu Luminate blood pressure monitor supports a maximum of two users.
Please note that each account can only be linked to one user of the iHealth Accu or Accu Luminate blood pressure monitor, and switching is not allowed at will to avoid synchronising another user's data on your account.
I changed my smartphone, what should I do?
You just have to download the iHealth MyVitals app on your new smartphone and sign in to your iHealth account.
All your previously synchronized data will be there and you can synchronize your new measurements.
Why is my blood pressure different from that taken by my doctor?
You may be less relaxed with your doctor than at home. This is what we call "the white coat effect". When you are nervous, blood pressure increases. A systolic pressure less than 15 mmHg is normal in a relaxing environment.
Blood pressure varies during the day. Variations of as much as 30 mmHg can happen over a short time due to resumption of physical activity between measurements (walking, going up or down stairs, bending over…) or disturbances in your environment (noise, stress, fatigue, agitation…). We recommend measuring your blood pressure in the same time slot and under similar conditions, for example in the morning before breakfast and/or the evening one hour after dinner. See the precautions of use to be respected.
Each manufacturer has its own principles for detection of blood pressure. A difference between the results provided by the blood pressure monitor used at home and the doctor's measurement can be explained by the difference of observation, in the same way as what happens when two doctors listen to the same patient with their stethoscopes and get different results.
I compared the results with another device. The results are different. Why?
Most digital blood pressure monitors use the oscillometric method. Each manufacturer uses its own principles for analyzing the measurement signals and to determine the corresponding systolic and diastolic values. Several studies have reported differences in accuracy, sometimes significant, between blood pressure monitors.
iHealth has long experience in designing blood pressure monitors. The high accuracy of the iHealth blood pressure monitor is confirmed by extensive clinical studies carried out by independent medical centers in accordance with the highest international standards.
Each manufacturer uses its own principles adapted to the "standard" population. One particular blood pressure monitor will better suit a person than another. Similarly, two doctors with different skills for observation with their stethoscope may obtain different blood pressure values.
The difference in blood pressure can also be explained by the variations that occur between two measurements. In fact, it is difficult to make consecutive measurements under the same conditions. This type of test usually gives different results due to the instability of physiological conditions and the influence of secondary factors (discussion, noise, movements, etc.).
If you want to compare two blood pressure monitors better, you need to eliminate as many sources of interference as possible. Take measurements without external disturbances by following the precautions for use. Take measurements under similar conditions, at the same time of day. Be sure to relax between measurements and wait at least three minutes before beginning. Take several measurements with the same device and compare the averages obtained. Only by carefully following the instructions above will you be able to determine the magnitude of the differences. However, these comparative measurements will not determine which of 2 devices tested is the most accurate.
Feel free to contact our technical support if you have any doubt about the performance of your device.
Why do the results vary from one measurement to another?
Human blood pressure is not a constant parameter. For completely normal physiological reasons, blood pressure can vary by up to 30 mmHg over a short period. It is therefore possible for the pressure to fluctuate between two measurements. In fact, it is very difficult to take consecutive measurements under the same conditions. This type of test usually gives different results due to the instability of physiological conditions and secondary factors (discussion, noise, movements, etc.). This is why the average of several results measured on several days under comparable conditions at the same time is considered to be the real blood pressure. If, for example, you test blood pressure one hour after the evening meal over three consecutive days, you will not find significant differences. The average of these results more accurately reflects your blood pressure.
To limit these variations as much as possible, be sure to follow the precautions for use.
How to place the cuff properly?
Positioning the cuff
The blood pressure monitor has a one-size cuff. It adapts to any arm circumference from 22 to 42 cm. If your arm is too big for this cuff, using a wrist blood pressure monitor may be more suitable for you.
Wrap the cuff around your bare arm, tube downwards, about 2 cm above the elbow. Tighten comfortably (you should be able to insert 2 fingers between the cuff and your arm).
Note - Do not roll up your sleeve to avoid making a tourniquet and distorting the measurement. If your sleeve is very thin, place the blood pressure monitor on top of it. If your sleeve is a little thicker, remove it.
Measuring in a seated position
Sit with your feet flat on the floor, without crossing your legs.
Place your hand, with the palm facing up, on a flat surface such as a table.
Position the air tube in the center of your arm in line with your middle finger.
Measuring in a lying down position
Lie on your back and extend your arm alongside your body, with the palm facing up.
Position the air tube in the center of your arm in line with your middle finger.
I cannot synchronise my measurements with my smartphone
The iHealth Accu or Accu Luminate blood pressure monitor uses Bluetooth 4.0 (also known as Bluetooth Low Energy or Bluetooth Smart). This new Bluetooth technology no longer requires manual pairing using the Bluetooth menu of your smartphone. Connection is done directly from the app.
First check in your smartphone's manual or on the manufacturer's website to see if your smartphone has Bluetooth 4.0.
Synchronize your measurements
To synchronize your measurements with your smartphone you must download the free iHealth MyVitals app on the App Store or Google Play depending on your smartphone and create an iHealth account.
- Place your phone near your blood pressure monitor.
- Start the iHealth MyVitals app on your smartphone (be sure Bluetooth is activated in the settings). Then go to MENU > Blood pressure.
- Press the M1/M2 button on the blood pressure monitor to start the connection between the blood pressure monitor and your smartphone. The Bluetooth icon on the blood pressure monitor blinks. When connected, the Bluetooth icon on the blood pressure monitor is steady and the Synchronize button in the iHealth MyVitals app.
- In the app, press Upload Reading(s). A page appears with all the non-synchronized measurements of the user currently bound to the account. You can choose to synchronize or not synchronize them.
If the problem persists
- Close all apps running in the background on your smartphone.
- On an Apple device (iOS): https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201330
- On an Android device: Open the Recent Apps menu and close all the apps. The method may be different from one Android smartphone to another – check your user manual.
- Deactivate Bluetooth on your smartphone.
- Restart your smartphone.
- Once your smartphone has restarted, reactivate Bluetooth.
- Start the iHealth MyVitals app and go to MENU > Blood pressure.
- Press the M1/M2 button on the blood pressure monitor.
- Press the Next button on the app.
The results obtained seem to be wrong
If the results of a measurement appear to be abnormal, take a new measurement taking care to respect the precautions for use:
- Take your measurements under the same conditions (at the same time of day, on the same arm).
- Relax for 5 minutes before taking a measurement.
- Sit comfortably in a quiet place, feet flat on the floor, without crossing your legs.
- Place the cuff at the same level as your heart. See How to place the cuff properly.
- Don't talk and don't move for the entire measurement.
- Breathe normally.
The date and time on the blood pressure monitor are not correct
If you have not used your blood pressure monitor for a long time and/or the batteries have been removed or replaced, you must reconnect the blood pressure monitor to your smartphone to update the date and time.
- Start the iHealth MyVitals app.
- Press the M1/M2 button on the blood pressure monitor.
- Select your iHealth Accu or Accu Luminate blood pressure monitor to connect.
The cuff does not inflate
Check that the cuff is properly connected to the blood pressure monitor and not damaged.
Nothing appears on the blood pressure monitor's screen
Insert a set of new batteries in the device, taking care to respect the polarity.
When the low battery symbol ( ) appears on the screen, replace the batteries with a set of new batteries.
Note - Rechargeable batteries are not suitable for this blood pressure monitor.
Changing batteries
When batteries are removed from the device internal memory will also lose power.
- Date and time will be reset
- If the date and time of saved data are incorrect, they cannot be corrected after uploading.
Please perform regular uploads to the app to prevent incorrect dates and times.
Battery life of the device is expected to last about ~270 measurements.
There will be a battery indicator() when the device's battery is low.
Please sync your device before changing batteries.
What do the icons on the screen mean?
: The cuff is loose or not wrapped properly. The measurement result may not be accurate. Please rebind the cuff and measure again.
: Body movement detected during measurement. The measurement result may not be accurate. Please remeasure and remain still during the measurement process.