There are many types of blood pressure monitor available to choose from. Here are a few things you need to know before choosing a home blood pressure monitor that suits your needs.
What are the types of blood pressure monitor?
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| manual blood pressure monitor |
- Manual monitor is the oldest model and probably the one you seen the most used by your doctor. This model requires a stethoscope to use, the cuff requires manual pumping, and the gauge contains mercury. Using this model requires a bit of skill compared to the automatic ones because you will need to put the stethoscope over the artery on your elbow and pay attention to the sound of blood flowing through the artery as you inflate and deflate the cuff.
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| automatic blood pressure monitor |
- Automatic monitor is easier to use because all you need to do is to turn it on and the machine will do everything for you. You do not need to pump the cuff yourself, nor do you need to use a stethoscope. The measurement result will be displayed on a digital screen. Semi automatic monitors are basically the same with automatic ones, except that you will still need to pump the cuff manually.
- A newer variety of blood pressure monitor which is the wrist blood pressure monitor. It's compact in size, easy and convenient to use, but it is also one of the most expensive monitors available. The latest model of wrist blood pressure monitor appears like a watch. This type is useful to measure your blood pressure continuously or during exercise.
What brand should I get?
Known reputable manufacturers such as Omron, Braun, and Microlife claim their brand to have more benefits than the other, but there's no evidence that one brand is better than the other. The accuracy of a blood pressure monitor depends more on how the operator uses the machine rather than the build of the product.
What are the parts of a blood pressure monitor?
The two most important parts of a blood pressure monitor are the cuff and the gauge or monitor. The cuff is an inflatable band that is wrapped around your upper arm when you measure your blood pressure. The gauge or monitor is the part that where you read the result of the measurement.
Things to consider in choosing a blood pressure monitor
- Choose the right size of cuff for you. If the cuff too big for your arm, the reading will appear to be reduced than it actually is. Similarly, if the cuff is too small, the reading may appear higher than it actually is. You may be falsely diagnosed yourself with high blood pressure this way.
- Make sure the gauge or monitor display is clearly visible and easy to read. Make sure the device is validated and calibrated for accuracy by the manufacturer.
- Ease of use. Manual monitors are harder to use than automatic ones and you may require another person’s assistance to use it.
- The price. The more expensive devices usually come with advanced function such as memory or print out capability, but measurement capability is not that different than cheaper ones.
Things to consider when performing blood pressure readings
Sometimes, your blood pressure will appear higher in a physician's office compared to when you measure it by yourself. This condition is called white coat hypertension and is the result of fear and anxiety when you visit your doctor to have your blood pressure measurement. It doesn't mean that blood pressure monitor is not accurate.
When taking measurement, the level of your arm and the manometer itself must be at the same level as your heart in order to provide accurate measurement.
Caffeine, alcohol, and tobacco may temporarily raise your blood pressure. Avoid taking any of them at least 30 minutes before measuring your blood pressure. Exercise, pain, and a full bladder may also falsely increase your blood pressure.
Other articles on hypertension:
- According to the American Heart Association, hypertension affects one in three adults in the United States. Approximately one in three people with high blood pressure don't realize they have it. Read more about hypertension
- The DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) eating plan was originally designed to lower blood pressure, but it turns to be beneficial for other conditions like diabetes, stroke, and even several types of cancer. Read more about DASH eating plan
- The goal of treatment is to reduce blood pressure to <140/90 mmHg in otherwise healthy subject and to <130/80 in patients with diabetes or chronic kidney disease. Read more about hypertension treatment
