This particular blog post was originally written in 2012, and while updating my blog today (October 27, 2021), I noticed that just about every blood pressure monitor on here is obsolete!
What you're going to see here today is an upgrade to the Omron HEM 780 (which I still use). It's always proved accurate. It totally surprised me when it took over 4 years for the batteries in it to FINALLY give out the first time!
What made me REALLY happy was that even with the batteries out, when I plugged in the electric cord, all the information from my old readings were still there!
This blood pressure monitor really had a workout especially at the beginning because that was when I was in the throes of monitoring my bp every few hours or sooner because I had just been to the hospital from the high, high numbers!
So yes, I was most definitely impressed!
Updating This BP Post for You
So during the next few days I will be updating this post. I am going to give you one suggestion right now though, because it's important that you know what to look for.
When you are looking for a blood pressure monitor, there are a couple of things to keep in mind that really make a difference on whether or not you get an accurate reading. And what's the point if you can't trust your monitor, right?
What You Need to Know
First thing is to know what size of cuff you need. If you have the wrong size, you won't get an accurate reading. Unless you've measured your upper arm circumference in the not so distant past, you should measure it just to confirm what size you are. It's kind of like shopping for clothes in a way!
- Small adult cuff fits arm circumferences between 7 to 9 inches.
- Standard adult cuff fits arm circumferences between 9 to 13 inches.
- Large adult cuff fits arms with circumferences between 13 to 17 inches.
Decisions, Decision, Decisions!
Something else you may want to think about is whether you want a bp monitor for one or for two people.
Right off the bat, you might think it doesn't matter, but the reason you may want it for two is this:
Sometimes you may get nervous at the doctor's office and find that your blood pressure is higher at the doctor than it is at home. This is called White Coat Syndrome.
In this case, being able to show your doctor what your readings are when you AREN'T at his/her office could make a difference on whether he recommends medicine or not. You can say..."Aha! My numbers at home are a LOT better than here!"
A second reason to have a monitor for two people instead of just yourself is that if you have a hubby or wife, or even an older child who needs to monitor blood pressure that needs monitored, there won't be a mix-up in readings.
On my blood pressure monitor, there is a setting for Person A and for Person B. To be honest, right now Person B doesn't get used very often, but you never know when situations change.
One More Decision...BP Monitor Style
You know...you've got to have your style that YOU want!
There are actually three choices:
- Blood pressure monitor where cuff goes on the upper arm
- A monitor that you put on your wrist
- Finger blood pressure monitor
- The sphygmomanometer...the name alone scares me! It's the kind used at the doctor's office where you pump up the arm cuff manually.
In my honest opinion, the bp monitor where the cuff goes on the upper arm seems to be the easiest and the most accurate, and is the one recommended by the Mayo Clinic.
The Mayo Clinic says with the wrist monitor, you have to absolutely sure to be
in the correct position with your wrist at heart level. The article then comments that even with your arm in the correct position, the wrist monitor tends to be less accurate than with the arm cuff.
in the correct position with your wrist at heart level. The article then comments that even with your arm in the correct position, the wrist monitor tends to be less accurate than with the arm cuff.
The finger monitor fared even worse according to the National Library of Medicine. It cautions that "these devices may not be able to perform as they are marketed."
Maybe it's the long, scary name, but the monitor used in doctor's offices, the sphygmomanometer, to me seems to be fitted for doctor's offices and nurses' hands.
Even while looking the name up on use by non-medical personnel, I couldn't even find an article that wasn't meant for a person from a medical profession. They do say it is easy to use when you have been trained, however!
Ok...One More Monitor Choice for YOU!
If you are in the market for saving your blood pressure readings, how far back do you want to save...as in how many readings?
You can have anywhere from the reading you just did to up to 200. With a 2-user model, that would be 100 readings per user.
A Suggested Blood Pressure Model
What you get with this model is a model for two people, with a cuff fitting any arm from 9" to 17". It also has a morning indicator that tells you if your morning reading is higher than it should be, since morning has a higher risk for heart attack or stroke.
This model saves 100 separate readings each for two users, which makes it easy for you to take the readings into your doctor's office to show him/her exactly what your blood pressure is doing on an everyday normal basis.
In other words... when you won't be worried about white coat syndrome at the doctor's office!
You can choose to either use batteries (4 AA batteries) or use the AC adapter if you don't want to worry about buying batteries. I must say, on my Omron monitor, batteries last a looong time... as in months and months!
If you are using batteries, the monitor lets you know without a doubt when you need to replace them.
Whichever model you choose, I highly recommend having a monitor at home if for nothing else but the peace of mind when you've been stressed, or eaten a little crazily. You'll know in an instant if you need to take some extra precautions for a while.
While adding extra artery-relaxing foods might not sound like much fun (you can find a list of those awesome foods in Lower Blood Pressure Fast) , it sure beats a trip to the hospital or worse, don't you think?