Blood Pressure Monitor Reviews

Choosing Arm Blood Pressure Monitors

The variety of blood pressure monitors on today’s market is boundless, which can complicate the process of settling on one particular model while purchasing. A professional opinion is always handy, while it also helps to be aware of the key differences between the various kinds of machines.

Arm Blood Pressure Monitors: Wrist or Upper Arm?

Over the past few years the trend of blood pressure monitors has moved in the direction of digital technology, as home monitoring has become more frequent. Not only do these provide more accurate results, but they are also less clumsy to operate because they rely on automatic technology.

Yet, there is still some confusion when it comes to the different types of monitors available, in terms of where they should be worn on the body. There are two distinct camps, namely those that believe in the accuracy of wrist monitors and those who prefer wearing upper arm monitors. Both have positive and negative points.

Wrist Monitors:

• Ideal for active people who exercise regularly and who are on the move
• Lightweight, portable and can be carried around on your person
• “One size fits all” feature enables adjustment of the strap so that thinner and larger arms are accommodated
• Very sensitive to position and body temperature, which can influence accuracy
• Must be at the level of the heart when taking a reading, or will otherwise reflect inaccurate measurements
• Generally, they are more expensive than other monitors, and can exceed the cost of upper arm devices by over $100

Upper Arm Monitors:

• Offer greater accuracy because they are positioned near the heart
• Are the traditional type of monitor and after rigorous clinical testing, have outdone the accuracy performance of wrist monitors
• The larger part of users agree on its overall consistency and accuracy in relation to readings taken at the doctor’s office
• Cost-efficient compared to other types of monitors
• Generally come with a longer guarantee, indicating greater durability
• Ideal for home use
• Easy to use, featuring large display that anyone can decipher
• Preferred by British Hypertension Society (BHS) above other machines in this category

Whether it be a wrist or upper arm monitor, make sure that your device contains fully charged batteries at all times, as low power can also complicate accurate results.

Importance of the Cuff When Choosing Arm Blood Pressure Monitors

The right cuff size can be the determining factor when aiming for spot-on blood pressure readings. Seek advice from a doctor, nurse, or pharmacist about which specific cuff size will fit you the best, based on the size of your arm. If the cuff is too tight or loose, the measurements will not be accurate. To double-check your arm width, measure the circumference of the widest part of your upper arm– the bicep – in centimeters.

It is crucial to keep in mind that, despite what arm blood pressure monitors suit your individual needs, you should consult your doctor on a regular basis and discuss your home records indicating your blood pressure progress. It is also vital to check that these records correlate, or are in close proximity with, the readings taken at your doctor’s office.