Blood Pressure Monitor Reviews

Manual Blood Pressure Monitors

There are multiple dangers associated with high blood pressure; stroke and heart attack are the most well-known health risks. Taking this into account, it is plain to see that detecting high blood pressure early and managing it accordingly is vitally important for those who suffer from this potentially fatal condition.

There is no lack of blood pressure monitors on the market; you simply have to find one that suits your individual needs. Automatic and manual blood pressure monitors are the two main categories that you will find when looking to purchase a monitor. The option of a digital manual monitor or a simple gauge manual monitor, known as a sphygmomanometer, is also available.

Manual monitors, especially sphygmomanometers, are often associated with professional healthcare. They are frequently found in doctor’s rooms and they are trusted for their accuracy. However, when considering whether to buy a manual monitor it is important that you weigh up the pros and cons.

The Pros

• Very accurate if used correctly
• More affordable than an automatic blood pressure monitors
• Longer warranty periods on the sphygmomanometers
• Simple equipment that won’t break easily
• The sphygmomanometers do not require batteries
• Straightforward home use

The Cons

• Another person is required to take the readings for optimal accuracy
• A stethoscope is required for those monitors where a stethoscope is not included
• Anyone with arthritis or carpel tunnel may have difficulty squeezing the inflation bulb
• Those who cannot hear well may have a problem hearing the heartbeat
• It requires some expertise to achieve accurate readings

How to Take Readings with Manual Blood Pressure Monitors

Aneroid sphygmomanometers and manual digital monitors are not as simple to use as the popular one touch automatic blood pressure monitors. They require a bit more practice, but once you have mastered the method then manual blood pressure monitors will give you years of reliable and accurate blood pressure readings.

When measuring your blood pressure with a sphygmomanometer, you simply have to position the appropriately sized cuff on your upper left arm and proceed to inflate it manually with the inflation bulb until it gets to 200mmHg. After the cuff has been inflated to 200mmHg, you need to release the air slowly while continuing to palpate the radial pulse. After approximately a minute, reinflate the cuff to a 30mmHg higher increment than the point at which the radial pulse could not be palpated any more.

A stethoscope should then be placed over the brachial artery while the cuff is slowly allowed to deflate. Systolic pressure can be measured on the gauge at the point that you hear the sound of blood entering the arteries, a ‘lub’ and ‘dub’ noise. Diastolic pressure can be measured from the time that these noises disappear.

Not as simple as an automatic blood pressure monitor, but a tried and tested method that provides accurate results if it is properly executed.

The digital manual blood pressure monitors are also operated with an inflation bulb, but they do not require the use of a stethoscope. Pressure readings are digitally processed and digitally displayed.

Purchasing a Manual Monitor

Acquiring a manual monitor is a good idea if you’re looking to cut costs, and it will provide very accurate results if used correctly. It requires precise application if you want quality readings. If you are looking for something simpler then one of the numerous automatic monitors may be better suited to your individual requirements.