Blood Pressure Monitor
There are two main types of blood pressure (BP) monitors: aneroid and digital
Aneroid Blood Pressure Monitor
Digital blood pressure monitors are perhaps the simplest variety to use. Also there are 2 types of Digital blood pressure monitors, wire and wireless.
On this website the blood pressure monitors mentioned only refer to Digital Blood Pressure Monitors.
Wrist blood pressure monitors can measure blood pressure accurately if following the instruction correctly as directed. However, American Heart Association holds a different opinion that it’s best using a home blood pressure monitor for measuring blood pressure in the upper arm. Devices for the upper arm are also easier to check for accuracy than are wrist monitors.
The wrist blood pressure monitors are extremely sensitive to body position. To get an accurate reading when taking the blood pressure with a wrist monitor, the arm and wrist must be at the same level as the heart. As the wrist arteries are narrower, not as deep under the skin as those of the upper arm, the blood pressure measurements taken at the wrist are usually higher and less accurate than those taken at the upper arm.
Usually the blood pressure readings taken at home with any type of monitor differ from those taken at doctor’s office. If you have a wrist blood pressure monitor, it is recommended taking it to a doctor’s appointment. Your doctor can then check your blood pressure with both a standard upper arm monitor and a wrist monitor in the correct position in the same arm for checking your wrist blood pressure monitor’s accuracy.
How to choose a Home Blood Pressure Monitor
AHA Recommendation
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.
1. Choose a validated monitor.
Ascertain the monitor has 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 European Society of Hypertension International Protocol…
A list of validated monitors is available on the Dabl Educational Trust website
2. Make sure the monitor is applicable for your specific needs. When selecting a blood pressure monitor for the elderly, pregnant women or children, make sure it is validated for these conditions.
3. Make sure the cuff fits your arm.
Take a measurement of your upper arm and choose a monitor coming with the correct size cuff.
Wrist versus Upper Arm Blood Pressure Measurement
Is wrist BP an acceptable way to guide treatment for obese patients?
Read More
Tips For Choosing The Best Blood Pressure Monitor
Choosing & Positioning a Blood Pressure Cuff
Blood Pressure Cuff Sizing Demonstration
How to Use Wrist Digital Blood Pressure Monitor
How to Use Digital Blood Pressure Monitor