Best blood pressure monitor !
One of the most common health issues that millions of people suffer from is High Blood Pressure. It has even been called the silent killer at times due to the fact that there isn’t always a sign that things are not as they should be. By the timer symptoms start, the levels are usually way beyond the borderline limit.
The Importance of Blood Pressure Monitoring
One of the benefits to at home monitoring is that it can get rid of a type of high blood pressure that comes from being in a doctor’s office. Some people are just very nervous and anxious in the doctor’s office and this will lead to false high readings. Another name for this is white coat hypertension. Being able to monitor your pressure at home where you are more relaxed, will give you an accurate reading to report to the doctor.
On the flip side of that, there is another problem that is called masked hypertension. This is when your blood pressure shows up as fine at the doctor’s office but is high at home.
The only way to truly detect this is to be able to regularly check your blood pressure in the same place on a daily basis. A home blood pressure monitor can provide this.
When you can use a blood pressure monitor to check your blood pressure at home on a daily or even twice daily basis, you will be able to give the doctor accurate readings that are unaffected by any other factors.
Most Important Features
There are many different features that one can find in a blood pressure monitor, depending on the model you choose. Look for the features that you will need and have use for when choosing a monitor.
Complete Readings – A complete blood pressure reading consists of two numbers: systolic and diastolic. Both are important in determining whether a person has high blood pressure or normal. Make sure that the monitor you are considering tracts both numbers and measures your pulse rate as well.
Memory – Many units keep track of the blood pressure readings of those who use it. Some models can track and save the readings for several people which is beneficial is more than one person is tracking their blood pressure.
Inflates Automatically – Some blood pressure monitors have the traditional style with the tub and bulb at the end that you squeeze to inflate. Others inflate automatically which is very convenient and much easier to use. The auto-inflate monitors tend to be a little more accurate making them a better choice between the two.
Large, Easy-to-read Displays – The best monitors have large displays that are easy to read. Many are backlit as well so you can see the readings clearly, even in lower light conditions. You don’t want to struggle to see your readings, so make this a feature that your chosen monitor has.
Irregular Heartbeat Alerts – Sometimes a blood pressure monitor will track other things like irregular heartbeats. This is a good feature for alerting you to other potential problems. These alerts may be in the form of a flashing light or an icon might show up on the display. Monitors that have this indicator can provide peace of mind that if there IS an irregular heartbeat, it will be detected so additional safety measures can be taken to correct it or protect the person from additional health problems.
Cuff Size can Affect Accuracy–One mistake that people make when purchasing a blood pressure monitor is not getting the appropriate size cuff. A cuff that is too small for your upper arm will give false readings and if it is too big, it won’t restrict the blood flow properly, also resulting in false readings. Measure your upper arm before you shop for your blood pressure monitor and make sure that the cuff will fit properly. All cuffs are sized so finding one that fits your arm shouldn’t be too difficult.
Take Your Blood Pressure the Right Way
Making sure that you are taking your blood pressure properly is important so you know the numbers are correct and also so you can report accurate results to the doctor for future information that he or she will use to treat it.
How do you get an accurate blood pressure measurement ?
Try to measure your blood pressure at the same time every day.
Please follow the instruction manual to properly apply the cuff on your upper arm.
Do not eat, exercise, smoke, or drink alcohol before 30 minutes of the measurement.
During the measurement, sit in a relaxed position with your feet straight in front of you and your arm on the table.
Do not cross your legs.The time between two measurements is at least 5 minutes.