Using a home blood pressure monitor daily can help you learn how well your lifestyle measures and medications are working.
Did you know that you don’t have to wait until your next doctor’s appointment to have your blood pressure measured? You can measure your blood pressure in the privacy of your own home with a home blood pressure monitor.
A home blood pressure monitor can help you diagnose certain types of hypertension -- for example, white coat hypertension, which occurs when a person’s blood pressure is high in the doctor’s office but lower when measured at home, and masked hypertension, when blood pressure is lower in the doctor’s office but higher at home.
There are a wide variety of home blood pressure monitors on the market, but they can be distilled down to two main types: aneroid and electronic.
Aneroid monitors. These blood pressure monitors consist of a dial gauge and a stethoscope attached to an arm cuff. The cuff is inflated by squeezing a rubber bulb that forces air into the cuff. Measuring blood pressure as the cuff deflates involves listening with the stethoscope for when thumping sounds begin and end and watching the needle on the dial gauge.
Electronic monitors. Much simpler to use, electronic blood pressure monitors consist of only a cuff and a gauge. What’s more, most electronic blood pressure monitors are fully automated -- meaning that they inflate and deflate automatically. These monitors also don’t require a stethoscope, and the results are shown on an easy-to-read digital display.
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In our opinion, the best types of blood pressure monitors are the electronic ones. For ease of use, choose one that has both automatic inflation and deflation. Avoid the fingertip and wrist models, however, because they can give unreliable results. Before purchasing a blood pressure monitor, make sure that the cuff fits your arm properly. A cuff that is too small or too large can produce inaccurate readings. In addition, don’t be reluctant to shop around for the best price.
Here are some tips on getting the most accurate results from your home blood pressure monitor:
- Don’t exercise, eat, drink caffeinated beverages, or smoke in the 30 minutes before measuring your blood pressure.
- Relax for three to five minutes before taking the reading. Don’t forget to remove any jewelry or clothing that could interfere with placement of the cuff.
- Once you’re ready to measure your blood pressure, sit in a chair with your back supported, legs uncrossed, and feet flat on the floor.
- Strap the cuff around your upper arm at least one inch above the crease of your elbow. Make sure the cuff is strapped on tightly enough so that only one fingertip can fit underneath. Keep you arm at waist level when taking the measurement.
- Take two readings, one to three minutes apart, and average the results.
