An increasing number of people are purchasing a blood pressure monitor for use at home, and for good reason. Not only have these devices become much more affordable and easy to use, they can also serve as an important tool for keeping tabs on your overall health. In fact, some doctors are recommending their patients use a monitor on a daily basis in an effort to get a more accurate profile of their status.
Generally speaking, the only time that most of us have our blood pressure taken is while we're in the doctor's office. This one-time reading isn't necessarily indicative of what our blood pressure is like on a day-to-day basis. Going to the doctor's office can be stressful for many people, causing their blood pressure to spike. As a result, this snapshot approach could lead to artificially elevated readings.
One way to get a more accurate picture of our average blood pressure is to take our own readings at home using a personal blood pressure monitor. By recording our results several times a day for several months, we can provide our doctors with a larger set of data for examining chronic health issues or determining our current level of physical fitness.
Using a blood pressure monitor at home could have another positive impact on our health. Studies have shown that by being more aware of our blood pressure on a daily basis, we can learn to control it and even lower it over time. It can have a dramatic impact on those who suffer from hypertension, by helping to increase awareness of the condition and how to help keep it under control.
Which is better: Wrist or arm blood pressure monitor?When shopping for a blood pressure monitor of your own, you're likely to come across two distinct types: those that wrap around the upper arm and those that go around the wrist. Generally speaking, the monitors that take their readings from the upper arm tend to be more accurate and consistent. That's not to say that wrist monitors can't be reliable too, they are just a bit more finicky to use.
Arm monitors fall into two distinct categories: aneroid or digital. An aneroid model features a more traditional design with a cuff that wraps around the upper arm and is inflated by squeezing on a bulb. The blood pressure is then read from a mechanical gauge. These types of monitors are slower and can be less accurate, but they are also more affordable.
Alternatively, a digital monitor inflates the cuff either with a bulb or automatically from the device depending on the individual model. The results are displayed on an easy-to-read screen. Digital monitors are simple and straightforward to use. That simplicity comes at a price, though, as digital models are usually more expensive than their aneroid counterparts.
Are at-home blood pressure monitors accurate?Good quality at-home blood pressure monitors are accurate, but it's important to do the research to find the best option for your needs. No matter which type of blood pressure device you choose, it is a good idea to check its accuracy before relying on it too closely.
You can check its accuracy by bringing the monitor along with you on a visit to your doctor's office and comparing the numbers between your monitor and the one that is used by the healthcare professionals. Slight variances in accuracy can be normal, but if the numbers vary dramatically, you should return the one you purchased for a different model.
When deciding which specific blood pressure monitor is right for you, you'll want to be sure that the cuff fits properly before purchasing. Most devices have a fairly universal fit, but some arm cuffs can be too large or too small. If the cuff is too loose or too tight, the blood pressure readings may not be accurate, invalidating any tests. It helps to try a few of the monitors out ahead of time to ensure that they'll work for you and to get a sense of the other features they offer as well.
Here are the best blood pressure monitors:Updated on 7/30/2020 by Kraig Becker: Replaced all categories with new selections, updated the links and formatting throughout, and updated the introduction to include sections on the accuracy of at-home blood pressure monitors and which versions are best.