Blood Pressure Monitor Reviews

The Reliability of Wrist Blood Pressure Monitors

For anyone suffering from hypertension or any other illness related to high blood pressure, it is handy to monitor your progress from home so that you can compare these records to those at your doctor’s office. Keeping track of your blood pressure progress throughout the day is a vital part of ensuring that your condition is properly diagnosed, and finding the appropriate treatment.

The variety of monitors used for this exact purpose on the market today is endless. Yet, medical practitioners seem to agree that digital monitors are more dependable than aneroid ones, given their automatic inflation features and their less elaborate setup which eliminates the hassle of manually pumping up the cuff.

Digital blood pressure monitors make use of the latest technology and operate easily at the touch of a button. Many are created with convenience in mind, have clear digital display, allow you to store measurements over a lengthy period due to built-in memory, and some even come with innovative software that links the machine up to your personal computer, thereby transferring your recorded data onto your PC and creating helpful graphs which chart your progress.

The debate over which digital monitors are most accurate has been dominated by the wide assortment of machines available. These come in every shape and size, ranging from upper arm monitors to those worn on the finger or wrist. While opinion may vary about the effectiveness of each type, clinical testing has shown a consensus over the good and bad points of each. When it comes to wrist blood pressure monitors, these devices are favored for their suitability to individuals who lead active lifestyles.

The Verdict on Wrist Blood Pressure Monitors:

Pros

• Cuff is convenient and comfortable to wear
• It is lightweight, portable and small enough to wear while exercising or moving around
• Speedy operation
• The Advanced Positioning Sensor (APS) feature fitted into some models ensures accurate positioning and measuring
• Easy to transport when travelling
• No additional wiring or equipment involved

Cons

• On the whole, clinical tests show that they are less accurate than upper arm monitors as readings are not taken in close proximity to the heart
• Are less correlated with doctor’s readings due to sensitivity to body position and temperature
• Have to be used exactly as directed, otherwise faulty
• More expensive than upper arm monitors
• Cuff may not accommodate all arm sizes
• Some models cannot be washed, causing a risky hygiene factor that could obstruct accuracy because of bacteria build-up
• Many are not included on the British Hypertension Society (BHS)’s list of reliable monitors

The Value of the BHS Stamp of Approval

The British Hypertension Society is one of the most accredited authorities when it comes to clinically validating blood pressure monitors, as they put each machine through tests that are governed by highly-rated protocols and standards.

According to this list, which is backed up by intensive research, very few wrist blood pressure monitors make the cut. For the better part, the BHS favors upper arm monitors rather than wrist or finger monitors, although a small percentage of wrist monitors do make an appearance on the list – particularly those manufactured by industry favorite Omron.

If your wrist monitor is BHS-approved and has achieved a minimum B grade with regards to their criteria that takes into account both systolic and diastolic measurements, you can be assured that you have made the right choice. Another option is to refer to the U.S. FDA selection of monitors that includes similar rigorous testing procedures.