How To Choose The Right Blood Pressure Monitors
Choosing the best home blood
pressure monitor for you
If you do decide to measure your blood pressure at home, you will need to get a home blood pressure monitor. There is a wide range of home blood pressure monitors available, but it is important to be sure that the blood pressure monitor you choose is accurate and the right one for you.
Automatic blood pressure
monitors
There are many different kinds of home blood pressure monitor,
but it is easiest to use a monitor that is fully automatic (digital). Choose
one that measures your blood pressure at your upper arm, rather than at your
wrist or finger. Upper-arm blood pressure monitors usually give the most
accurate and consistent results.
Make sure your monitor is accurate
Make sure that the home blood pressure monitor you choose has
been listed as 'clinically validated' for accuracy by the British Hypertension
Society. This means that the digital monitor has gone through a series of tests
to make sure it gives results that you and your doctor can trust.
Make sure you have the right cuff size
An upper-arm blood pressure monitor will come with a cuff that
you need to wrap around your arm. If you use a cuff that is the wrong size for
you, your blood pressure reading will not be correct. Measure around your upper
arm at the midpoint between your shoulder and elbow, and choose your cuff size
from the chart below.
Most home blood pressure monitors will come with a medium-sized cuff. You may
have to order a different-sized cuff separately.
Choose a digital monitor to suit your budget
Blood pressure monitors can vary in price. This usually depends
on the number of extra features that the digital monitor has, like a built-in
memory for example.
All you need to measure your blood pressure correctly is a
clinically validated monitor, and a pen and paper to record your readings.
Extra features can be helpful but they are not necessary. Choose a home blood
pressure monitor that you can afford.
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