Blood pressure tracker with Microsoft Lists and Power Automate
Tags: powerautomate, microsoft365, sharepoint
Published: 2023-09-12 07:34:45

This article will showcase a real-life scenario with practical applications for your daily routine. The focus will be on recording heart rates and establishing a historical record. The tools at play in this process are _Microsoft Lists_ and _Power Automate_. With _Microsoft Lists_, data storage and management are made seamless. This includes storing systolic and diastolic readings along with corresponding dates. In parallel, _Power Automate_ streamlines data input.

Harnessing the capabilities of _Microsoft Lists_ and _Power Automate_, you can design a system that effortlessly oversees and tracks your heart rate trends over time. This proves especially beneficial for those keen on maintaining optimal cardiovascular well-being or receiving medical advice to routinely monitor their heart rates.

![Blood pressure list in Microsoft Lists.png](https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/w_1456,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fe70e0e64-929c-4e2d-b832-f254bca9ccae_2718x1032.png)

## The Importance of Blood Pressure for Wellbeing

Maintaining a healthy blood pressure is crucial for overall wellbeing, as high blood pressure can lead to a range of health problems. Here are some reasons why focusing on blood pressure is important:

1. **Reducing the risk of heart disease and stroke**: High blood pressure can cause damage to blood vessels, making them weak, stiff, or narrower, which can lead to heart disease and stroke.

2. **Improving brain health**: High blood pressure has been linked to cognitive decline and an increased risk of stroke, which can have a negative impact on brain health.

3. **Enhancing mental health**: Recent research has shown that higher blood pressure is associated with greater well-being and fewer depressive symptoms, while the presence of hypertension is linked to more depressive symptoms and lower well-being.

4. **Preventing kidney disease**: High blood pressure can damage the blood vessels in the kidneys, leading to kidney disease.

5. **Managing stress**: While the link between stress and high blood pressure is still being studied, stress is known to contribute to risk factors like a poor diet and excessive alcohol consumption, which can lead to high blood pressure.

By making small but positive changes to our lifestyle, such as getting more exercise, quitting smoking, and eating a healthy diet, we can prevent and manage high blood pressure. It's important to focus on one change at a time, as this can help us feel less overwhelmed and more capable of making positive changes. Additionally, managing stress through techniques like meditation and deep breathing can also help to control blood pressure.

## Step-by-step implementation guide

1. **List creation and configuration**

Begin by creating a list in *Microsoft Lists*. To achieve this, log in to your *Microsoft 365* application by visiting <https://microsoft365.com>. Once logged in, access the waffle menu and choose the `Lists` option. Proceed to click on `New List` and then select the `Blank List` template.

Now, it's time to establish the necessary columns to ensure accurate data recording. To accomplish this, we will include two number-type columns named `Systole` and `Diastole`. This arrangement enables precise monitoring of both values.

Additionally, create an extra column to indicate the date of each measurement. Make sure this column differs from the `Creation Date` column to accommodate potential earlier dates in the records.

{% embed https://youtube.com/shorts/g1N1S4a3koc %}

The remaining consideration is how to handle the `Title` field. In this instance, we will utilize it to specify the method of information insertion, either manual or automatic. This will involve incorporating relevant text, given that the field is of text type.

With these steps complete, you are now prepared to record blood pressure readings. This will entail manually entering values for `Title`, `Systole`, `Diastole`, and the measurement date.

Having established the desired data structure within the table, the next step is to streamline data entry. To achieve this, we'll utilize *Power Automate* to create a workflow that automates information addition to the list.

2. **Power Automate flow creation and configuration**

From the *Microsoft 365* application, access the waffle menu and select `Power Automate`. On the left side, click on `Create` and opt for the `Instant Cloud Flow` choice. Assign a suitable name, such as `Personal Blood Pressure Monitoring`, and select `Manually trigger a flow` as the trigger method.

> Alternatively, you can opt for an automatic flow creation by describing the flow you want, like `Write to a SharePoint List after Receiving Two Parameters`. This approach generates the flow and its steps automatically.

Within the flow editing interface, expand the trigger to include the two data pieces needed to initiate the flow. Both pieces will be classified as `Number` type and named `Systole` and `Diastole`. This information is all that's required to populate the data in the list.

{% embed https://youtu.be/_YrD4rCLs_k %}

Next, add an action to create an item in a *SharePoint* list. As the list is located under `Our Lists`, input the site's address in the designated field. To do this, copy the URL from the list's address, stopping just before `/Lists`.

Proceed to select the relevant list by specifying the `List Name` field. The list's columns will be integrated into the flow action, allowing you to input the necessary information. For `Systole`, choose the `Systole` variable linked to the trigger data. Repeat this for the `Diastole` column.

For the `Measurement Date` column, choose the variable linked to the *Power Automate* execution's timestamp. No additional action is needed, as the values will be saved correctly.

Lastly, fill in the `Title` field with a text indicating that the record was generated via *Power Automate,* such as `Created from Power Automate`.


## Simplicity for user experience

With the assistance of *Power Automate*, the concern of data entry is effortlessly resolved. Your sole task involves inputting your personal blood pressure readings. Employing the user-friendly *Power Automate* mobile application, initiating the workflow is an uncomplicated process, preceded by the entry of these values.

In essence, *Power Automate* transcends being merely a workflow engine; it possesses the capacity to initiate workflows based on user inputs. This functionality offers a seamless and straightforward approach, providing an intuitive, standardized, and readily accessible interface that significantly enhances interaction with individuals.

![Blood pressure - Power Automate.png](https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/w_1456,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F74856610-de5a-4b54-be8a-aee2b6358c44_505x489.png)

## Process enhancements

There are several ways to improve this process. One approach is to use formatters on the columns, which can highlight values that are either unusually high or low for each measurement. Additionally, you can incorporate a different kind of trigger, like initiating the process through an email or an API call. This integration allows the process to seamlessly become a part of other interconnected workflows.

Please share your thoughts in the comments section regarding any additional enhancements you believe could be implemented. Your input could contribute to refining and simplifying the process or making it more comprehensive.


## Conclusion

By utilizing the capabilities of _Microsoft Lists_ and _Power Automate_, you can establish a system that effortlessly monitors and tracks changes in your heart rate over time. This is particularly beneficial for individuals prioritizing their cardiovascular well-being or those advised to regularly monitor their heart rates.

Moreover, this example isn't just a standalone case. It serves as a clear and efficient template that can be readily adapted for similar processes. The streamlined implementation of _Microsoft Lists_ and _Power Automate_ can be applied to various scenarios, ensuring quick and effective monitoring tailored to specific needs. This approach promotes simplicity and effectiveness, allowing you to swiftly implement solutions that require meticulous tracking, thus fostering a culture of efficiency in various domains.


## References

- _Microsoft Lists list creation for Blood pressure tracker video: https://youtube.com/shorts/g1N1S4a3koc_
- _Power Automate flow creation for Blood pressure tracker video: https://youtu.be/_YrD4rCLs_k_
- *Blood Pressure and Your Brain: https://www.helpguide.org/articles/healthy-living/blood-pressure-and-your-brain.htm*
- *Blood Pressure Matters: https://newsinhealth.nih.gov/2016/01/blood-pressure-matters*
- *Associations between mental health and blood pressure: https://www.mpg.de/20163652/0413-nepf-how-high-blood-pressure-affects-mental-health-149575-x*
- *How Human Connection Can Help Lower Your Blood Pressure: https://www.dignityhealth.org/articles/how-human-connection-can-help-lower-your-blood-pressure*
- *Blood pressure and your brain: https://www.health.harvard.edu/heart-health/blood-pressure-and-your-brain*
- *Managing Stress to Control High Blood Pressure: https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/high-blood-pressure/changes-you-can-make-to-manage-high-blood-pressure/managing-stress-to-control-high-blood-pressure*