Choosing the Perfect Home Blood Pressure Monitor

Checking the level of your blood pressure at home is an essential part of controlling high blood pressure, also known as hypertension. It is highly recommended by The American Heart Association as well as other organisations that those who are affected by hypertension should ensure that they check their blood pressure at home on a regular basis.This process allows these individuals to help manage their blood pressure levels in the comfort of their own home, while at the same time inform them and their doctor on any possible health complications.

Blood pressure monitors can be purchased easily and without the need of any prescription. Home monitoring is a simple way to improve your health and before starting the process of monitoring your blood pressure levels at home, it’s important to understand the correct process and how to get the perfect home blood pressure monitor for you.

Choose the Perfect Home Blood Pressure Monitor

These days, most pharmacies, healthcare supply stores and a few online stores offer home blood pressure monitors. Each of these machines includes the same basic elements — a gauge for readouts, an inflatable cuff or strap, and in some cases a stethoscope, based on the kind of monitor you decide on.

You will discover two different types of home blood pressure monitors that you can choose from:

Manual devices

Manual hypertension monitors work with a stethoscope along with an inflatable arm cuff attached to a rubber tube to a gauge which records the pressure. To determine the level of your blood pressure, you blow up the cuff that encircles your arm through pumping a bulb on one side of the tube. After this you check your hypertension levels using a stethoscope — paying attention to the sounds of blood flowing through the primary artery in your upper arm as the pressure is reduced in the cuff. These types of monitors are normally more affordable compared to digital monitors, however, they tend to be more complicated to use.

Digital devices

Digital machines possess a cuff along with a gauge that records the pressure. The cuff instantly blows up simply by pressing a button. These monitors automatically determine heart rate and look at your blood pressure by calculating the changes in the movement of your artery as the blood passes through the artery as the cuff deflates. You will find that certain devices even provide you with a miscalculation message in case the cuff is not worn correctly. Digital devices also deflate quickly.

Digital devices are usually fixed on the upper arm, finger or wrist. Arm monitors would be the ones that are the most precise. One purpose of wrist devices is for those who may struggle to fit a large upper arm cuff or people who may not be able to use it due to pain brought on by the pressure of the cuff once it inflates. Ensure that your arm reaches heart level when making use of a wrist monitor. Blood pressure monitors that calculate your blood pressure level at your finger are not encouraged.

Seek advice from a doctor or registered nurse to ensure that you choose the monitor that suits your needs.

Public blood pressure devices

Public blood pressure devices, like those present in pharmacies, is probably not accurate. They might not be correctly managed, and it could be that the cuff might not exactly be the right size for you, based on the size of your arm.

You should not depend on public blood pressure devices to determine your blood pressure on a regular basis.

The benefits of monitoring your blood pressure at home

• Help monitor your treatment
• Help to make an early diagnosis of hypertension
• Cut your medical care expenses
• Encourage better control
• Determine if your blood pressure level is different from what the doctor diagnosed

Features to take into consideration

Functions of a home blood pressure device can differ widely, from easy manual types to completely automatic devices which permit you to transmit information to your physician’s office by means of your telephone line or Internet access. Listed below are some basic features to take into consideration when deciding on a blood pressure monitor:

• Cost: Your medical insurance might not cover the expenses of a home blood pressure machine. Prices may vary for digital monitors that include memory and digital printout ability.
• Accuracy: Consult your doctor or the supplier to make certain the device has been approved, indicating its calculations are precise and repeatable. Only approved instruments are usually trusted for accurate readings.
  Display. The display, which demonstrates your hypertension measurement needs to be clear and simple to read.
• Cuff size: Possessing a correctly fitted cuff is the main factor to take into consideration when buying a home blood pressure machine. Many devices can be found with various-sized cuffs to match different-sized arms. Improperly fitting cuffs won’t give precise blood pressure measurements.
• Stethoscope: In case you get a device with a stethoscope, you should manage to position it properly in your ears and also to clearly listen to the sounds through it. You should also know the best way to understand those sounds — this you can learn from your physician or nurse.

Tips for accurate use

• Sit quietly before testing your blood pressure.
• Avoid talking while monitoring your blood pressure levels.
• Check your blood pressure twice a day.
• Look at your monitor’s accuracy.
• Stay away from food, tobacco, caffeine and alcohol for half an hour before taking a measurement.
• Ensure that your arm is placed correctly when measuring.
• Consult your doctor regarding your home blood pressure goal.
• Don’t take your blood pressure immediately after you wake up.

Blood pressure differs in the course of the day, and readings are usually slightly higher during the morning. However get in touch with your physician in case you have any uncommon or consistent increases in your blood pressure. In addition, inquire what reading ought to prompt a quick call to the healthcare office. In case your home reading indicates that your blood pressure is higher than usual and you encounter signs like severe headache, numbness, chest pain, or pain in the limbs or face, get in touch with your doctor immediately or get emergency treatment.