BP Monitors
Choosing The Right Blood Pressure Monitor For You…
If you are checking your blood pressure from home you have the option of choosing your own BP monitor. You can either use an aneroid monitor or a digital one. There are advantages and disadvantages to both:
Aneroid Monitors
An aneroid monitor has a dial gauge and your blood pressure is read by a pointer. You inflate the cuff by hand using a rubber bulb. An aneroid monitor is also very portable, and the cuff that comes with this monitor has a stethoscope built into it.
The aneroid blood pressure monitors range cheaper in price compared to the digital ones. A down side to this monitor type however, is that it may be too hard for some people to hear as well as too hard to squeeze the bulb.
Digital Monitors
With a digital blood pressure monitor you can choose a manual blood pressure cuff or an automatic one. You can read your blood pressure readings on a screen digitally as well, which makes it a lot easier to read. Digital monitors are the more popular blood pressure monitoring devices because they are easier to use.
The digital monitor has a gauge as well as a stethoscope. It also has an error code which can be very beneficial, as well as an automatic deflation of the cuff. With a digital monitor you have to use batteries. You can purchase a digital monitor anywhere from thirty dollars to ninety and higher.
Reviews
The following are recommendations of monitors that I have personally reviewed to guide you into choosing the one that is best for you. Keep in mind that there really isn’t one that stands out above the rest, it’s all about features that suit you the most. To help you further make a confident selection, I only review monitors that have been tested, validated and approved by the Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation, the British Hypertension Society and the International Protocol for the Validation of Automated BP Measuring Devices.
The American Heart Association recommends an automatic, cuff-style, bicep (upper-arm) monitor. Wrist and finger monitors are not recommended because they yield less reliable readings. The below reviews are therefore based on quality brands and products that have proven accuracy and reliability. Once in a while I might come across one that I believe you should totally stay away from, at which point I will make sure to let you know. So without further delay, here goes:
Made For Two: The LifeSource UA-774AC Dual-Memory Auto-Inflate BP Monitor
If you’re like most families with at least two people under one roof using the same monitor, this BP measuring device by is ideal. Not only does it include two cuff sizes, medium and large, or his and hers, but it also allows for two separate memories to accommodate two people with 30 readings on each, as well as an average of all previous results. If that wasn’t enough, a guest mode is also available for an extra family member or a visitor to obtain their readings. If you’re like me and get irritated when someone else’s readings are included with yours that prevent you from getting an accurate overview of patterns including averages, then this monitor is for you.
also has an important feature that alerts you of an irregular heartbeat. This might seem minor, but bottom line is that every little extra helps to keep vitals under check. Another nice touch by the people is illuminated buttons for those strained eyes, or when you might find yourself testing at night under a dim lamp light.
People who have used it love the:
- two cuff sizes,
- its ease of use,
- and most importantly the fact that it is great value for the money.
One possible disadvantage of the product that I have noticed is its size, it is a bit larger than say a wrist monitor, but that also accounts for a larger screen to allow for a clearer display of readings.
I would highly recommend this monitor because it has truly practical features to make your testing easier, it is highly reliable and accurate (clinically validated for accuracy), and overall excellent value for money.
Check out the LifeSource UA-774AC Dual-Memory Auto-Inflate Blood Pressure Monitor at HealthCheck Systems that is offering an extra 5% over an already discounted price. HealthCheck Systems is a well established company that has been in business for over 10 years, and is reputable for excellent customer service. Oh and, did I mention that they deliver within 24hrs?
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Decrease The Risk Of Stroke With The Omron HEM 790IT Ultra Premium Blood Pressure Monitor
Considering that people with high blood pressure are at an increased risk of stroke, one of the features that makes this monitor my favorite is the fact that it detects morning hypertension, which is an important predictor of increased risk of stroke. Also, in addition to the Omron HEM 790IT detecting irregular heartbeat, any piece of equipment that can help control CVD risks is a definite plus.
The monitor also has what the Omron people call IntelliSense. This simply means that you don’t have to make any adjustments to the inflation level because the monitor inflates the cuff to the ideal level 
with each use. This is a good feature to have for hypertensive users as well as people with certain arrhythmia or heart disorders because their blood pressure is so prone to fluctuating. An added advantage of IntelliSense is that it eliminates the need for different size cuffs and so anybody at home, big or small, can use the same monitor.
What impressed me most however is the fact that added features did not complicate functionality. The monitor is still simple to use with a one-touch automatic operation. Any blood pressure monitor that requires me to press a button more than twice is iffy as far as ease of use.
Unfortunately, I haven’t found a product without its flaws, and despite this Omron’s reputable accuracy and the fact that it’s packed with nice and practical features, if you are overly obese with very large arms, this may not be the unit for you. I would recommend a monitor where the cuff can be replaced with a larger one.
Get more details about the Omron Ultra Premium Blood Pressure Monitor, Model HEM 790 IT at Drugstore.com, a leading online provider of health products. What made me recommend this particular site is the fact that the Drugstore.com pharmacy is certified by the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP) as a Verified Internet Pharmacy Practice Site (VIPPS) and operates in compliance with federal and state laws and regulations in the US. What makes it an even sweeter deal however is that they are offering the Omron HEM 790IT at a 35% discount, and they are also offering free shipping.
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Women In Mind
This is Omron’s new addition to their line up of BP monitors, launched in November of 2009. Although Omron has women in their sites when it comes to this monitor, it actually can be used for both men and women. What can be considered “feminine” about it is the fact that it is very slim allowing it to easily fit in a purse. Men, don’t worry, the monitor does not come in pink, so you too can use it. The real advantage for women however is that it has been tested and validated with a sample made up only of a women population, and another validation test made up of a mixed sample.
The fact however is that women are at risk for high blood pressure. What’s more is that women above the age of 54 have a significantly higher risk of having hypertension than men. Pregnant women are at an even higher risk for HBP and for a serious complication call preclampsia, which is a disorder that can cause harm to the mother or her baby.
Although it has been validated, I tested the monitor for several days at different times of the day, comparing it to an aneroid monitor that is well maintained and calibrated. Considering that a company like Omron is behind the monitor, I wasn’t surprised to see that the readings were consistently accurate. I do suggest that you regularly compare your BP monitor with your doctor’s to make sure that the results your getting at home are reliable.
A user of the ELITE7300W offered this additional great piece of advice on what to do when at the doctor’s: “I recorded my BP readings with this monitor (the ELITE7300W) and brought it with me to the doctor appointment. I took a reading shortly after the nurse took a reading with the office BP monitor and the readings were very close. I was fortunate that I did this because I was anxious about the appointment, so my BP was high. The doctor may have wanted to raise my medication, but with the good readings from the 2 weeks before, I avoided an unnecessary increase.”
Two cuff sizes are included in the package, and both cuffs are standard sizes normally available in an Emergency Room. As with any monitor, be sure that the cuff you use fits you well. A cuff that is too large or too small for your upper arm might give inaccurate results.
Would I recommend this BP monitor for my mother, sister, or even brother? You bet I would! The ELITE7300W is easy to use, lightweight, and has an ultra thin profile of only 1″ to easily fit in any bag or purse.
Take a closer look at the Omron Women’s Advance Blood Pressure Monitor with two Cuffs 7300 W to see how such a simple and easy to use BP monitor can also be loaded with features without compromising usability.
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Easy To Use… And Reliable!
The Lifesource UA-853AC Premium Stand-Up Blood Pressure Monitor is one of the more popular BP monitors, and for good reason. First and foremost, other than the fact that it has been scientifically validated for accuracy, users’ feedback when comparing it to their doctors monitors has been consistently positive for reliability and accuracy, most if not all stating that the readings are the same, or very close to their doctor’s BP monitor. Here’s a comment from a Boston nurse: “I am an RN and have checked the monitor against traditional BP monitoring equipment and it is very accurate. The Premium monitor is easy to use and a great plus is the inclusion of both large and small cuffs and batteries. I keep it in the family room and everyone who sees it wants to check their pressure.”
Actually, unlike most of the monitors on the market, the Premium Stand-Up from LifeSource comes with two cuffs, a medium one as well as a larger cuff. The cuffs are comfortable, and what’s more is that your upper arm doesn’t get squeezed as if in a vice. A definite plus is the fact that the cuffs can be securely stowed in a cradle at the back of the device.
Because of its larger display of results, as well as the fact that it stands up straight when measuring, the Premium Stand-Up is ideal for a user who has poor vision or shaky hands. The monitor is also very easy to learn and extremely simple to use. Although it is packed with nice and practical functionality, you certainly don’t need to be a rocket scientist to figure out the process. It is very straight forward, sturdy, and accurate.
As with all their products, the LifeSource Blood Pressure Monitor, Model UA-853AC comes with a lifetime warranty, and like Omron, LifeSource is known to honor their warranties with no hassle and no questions asked. And as the beloved Bob Barker would say, the price is right!
In Conclusion
You want to choose a blood pressure monitor with a cuff that is the right size for you. The right cuff size will ensure correct blood pressure readings. Ask your doctor if you are unsure of what size you need. Be sure you can easily read and operate the device.
If money plays a factor in your decision choose a device that fits your needs as well as your budget. When it comes to your health you have to decide if you can really put a price on it. While you do not want to spend an unreasonable amount of money on something like this, you still might have to splurge a little extra.
Look around and see what your options are. You might know someone that has a home blood pressure monitor. If so, ask them what they might recommend. They might recommend whatever device they are using now or tell you to steer clear of it.
You want to choose a blood pressure monitor that is easy for you to use and read. Be sure you can understand how to operate it as well. The less confusing it is to use, the more beneficial it will be. Imagine how much better you are going to feel once you gain control of your blood pressure. It will be much simpler by monitoring from home as well as having regular checkups at your doctor visits. Lower blood pressure lessens your risks of a stroke or heart and kidney disease. This alone should make you feel much better.
