If you want to monitor your blood pressure at home for yourself, the best way is by using an automatic blood pressure monitor. However, there are many models of blood pressure monitors on the market and initially at least, it might be difficult to decide which is the best for you. This brief article offers a few basic tips to help you choose.
The most important feature to look for is consistent, repeatable accuracy; after all you want to get readings to be as close as possible to reality. In the opinion of the writer, your best bet will be to read reviews on various monitors, make a few notes and then decide. {You could ask your doctor or your pharmacist to recommend a brand and a model with good accuracy, since it is probable that they have experience with such devices but it is doubtful that they will be as up-to-date as you will be after you have studied the market for yourself; at least not for the short time that you will be looking. You might even become an expert….for a day!} The chances are your doctor will be using his “old faithful” that is not even on the market any longer! A pharmacist on the other hand may well be motivated as much by commercial factors as giving unbiased advise. They are after all in business to make money! Looking for yourself is hard to beat when it comes down to it. Cost must be a relevant factor but don’t lose sight of the fact that it is your health with which you are dealing so economizing may be a bad idea. There’s no harm in comparing prices and value for money.
Basics to Look For
Advertisements may make claims of offering as “the best automatic blood pressure monitor” but the fact is there is no such thing. Different home blood pressure monitors will fit the needs of different people; therefore you should consider how you’re going to use your monitor before choosing one. For example, if you’re always on the road you might like a compact device that you can pack easily.
A most important component of a digital blood pressure monitor is the cuff. The two most found cuff fittings come either on the upper arm blood pressure monitor or the writs blood pressure monitors and whereas the standard cuff sizes are obviously designed to suit the majority of people, if there is a choice of cuff sizes, you need to consider this aspect. Indeed, if you have unusually large arms for example, you may well be looking for a monitor that offers different fittings. The monitor is far more likely to give inaccurate or inconsistent readings if the cuff fits badly. Also think about how easy it is to put the cuff on for yourself. Details on monitors often mention this as a matter of course.
Some monitors are available with functions beyond basic pressure readings such as measuring your pulse; keeping an electronic record of previous readings; offering a separate memory for two or more users; printing the results; and even interfacing with your PC to download and remotely store your results.
A fundamental feature that many will miss and feel daft afterwards but one which will instantly be recognized by some of you, is quite simply, the size of the display characters and how easy is it to read! If you have impaired site for whatever reason or you get confused by numbers, you want a digital blood pressure monitor with a large display. It is worth mentioning that there are a small number of monitors around that speak your pressure as well as showing on a display!
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