What is the best pressure measuring device?

Why do you need a pressure gauge at home? It is necessary for the successful treatment of hypertension and the prevention of its complications. Timely diagnosis of this disease is the first step on the road to a quick recovery. To measure pressure at home, you will need a special device called a tonometer. With it, you can get the most reliable indicators. If the result is higher than normal, you can take a pill, if the indicators are very high, you need to call an ambulance.

Features of tonometers

If you have a hypertensive patient in your family, you simply cannot do without a tonometer.

You don't have to be a doctor or have a medical degree to measure blood pressure. Modern devices are very easy to use, with a clear interface. Among the wide variety of models it is difficult to make a choice. What is the best device to buy for monitoring blood pressure at home?

Types of tonometers

A good blood pressure monitor doesn't have to be the most expensive.

Having such a device at home, you can not only control the pressure, measuring it to the nearest unit, but also check the effectiveness of drugs, the body's response to the prescribed therapy.

There are several categories of products on the market today:

• automatic blood pressure monitors;
• semi-automatic devices;
• mechanical;
• mercury;
• on the wrist.

Measuring pressure at home is much more comfortable than in a medical institution, because the “white coat” syndrome is excluded. Each type of equipment has its own advantages and disadvantages, which you need to familiarize yourself with before buying. A tonometer is a device that will serve for many years, if, of course, you buy a quality model.

Mechanical

A mechanical tonometer is an affordable and at the same time an accurate device. Its only downside is that it's a bit awkward to use. At least that's how it will seem to you at first when you measure your blood pressure. Then the procedure is performed "automatically". In medical institutions, only mechanical tonometers are used.

The device consists of the following elements:

• rubber cuff on the arm;
• sphygmomanometer;
• pear;
• phonendoscope.

To measure pressure correctly, you must have good coordination, clear vision and hearing. The advantages of mechanical devices over automatic devices include high accuracy, durability, wear resistance, affordable cost. Every year, such units need to be checked for performance in a company that specializes in this.

Mechanical tonometers are not without drawbacks. So, it is inconvenient to measure blood pressure on oneself. The units also do not have additional functions, and the interpretation of the results may be different depending on the physical ability of the one who measures the pressure. If you are interested in which one is better to choose, then the answer is unequivocal: preference should be given to products from well-known manufacturers. Do not buy cheap Chinese blood pressure monitors: they are short-lived and inaccurate. The error in measuring blood pressure in hypertension can be very dangerous for human health and life.

Automatic

The principle of operation of automatic devices is as follows. Air is pumped into the cuff using a built-in electric pump, the indicators are processed by a special unit, the result is displayed. With the help of an automatic tonometer, you can measure the pulse (frequency), detect a violation of the rhythm of heart contractions.

The main advantages of automatic devices:

• convenient to measure blood pressure in elderly patients;
• indicators do not depend on the individual physical abilities of the measurer;
• compact size;
• diagnosis of arrhythmia;
• the ability to determine the heart rate.

Automatic devices can be powered by electricity or batteries. Devices of the second type are more convenient to use, because they can be used to measure pressure anywhere.

Despite their merits, doctors do not recommend buying automatic blood pressure monitors. It is better to choose semi-automatic. Automatic devices can make mistakes when interpreting the results, because the electronic unit is not as sensitive as the human ear. Most often, such devices are bought by older people, those who have problems with hearing or vision. The disadvantages of machines include their relative fragility, high cost.

semi-automatic

Semi-automatic blood pressure monitors are the best and most popular option for household use. It consists of a pear pumping air, a cuff, an electronic unit that interprets the results and displays them on the screen. The unit operates on mains or batteries.

The main advantages of semi-automatic tonometers:

• high accuracy of readings;
• semi-automatic is in the middle price segment;
• reliability and durability;
• determination of pulse and arrhythmia;
• you can take with you on a trip, to nature;
• you can measure the pressure yourself.

Semi-automatic blood pressure monitors are ideal for measuring blood pressure at home. They are compact, easy to use and accurate. However, one should not overestimate devices of this type, because they are also not without drawbacks. Yes, they are expensive. In the event of a malfunction, you will have to spend money on repairs. From time to time, you need to change the batteries or plug the device into a power outlet.

Blood pressure monitors on the wrist

There is another category of devices for measuring pressure. These are wrist monitors. Why are they better than other types? Nothing. They just have a different scope. Devices that are worn on the wrist are often used by people involved in sports. Compact and handy, they measure an athlete's blood pressure during training. If a person has heart problems, such a tonometer on the wrist should not be used, since the indicators will be inaccurate, and it is also not used for hypertension. The advantages of the device on the wrist include mobility, functionality, as there are built-in modes, the ability to control blood pressure constantly, even on the move.

The main disadvantage of blood pressure monitors on the wrist is inaccuracy in measurements. They may be in error. The most inaccurate are blood pressure monitors that are worn on the finger. They have recently appeared on the market, but are not yet popular among buyers. Which device to choose is up to you.

Additional functions of tonometers

Traditional mechanical blood pressure monitors are necessary for measuring blood pressure, they do not provide other functions.
But automatic, semi-automatic and tonometers on the wrist can not only measure pressure.

1. Automatic shutdown. After measuring the pressure, you can forget to turn off the device; in working condition, it will consume energy from the mains or batteries. To prevent the device from running idle, it was equipped with such a useful function.
2. Average scores. To get the most accurate result, some devices (especially automatic ones) measure blood pressure several times, and then calculate the average figure. This reduces the error.
3. Memory. There are tonometers with the definition of date and time. They remember when you took your blood pressure, so you can keep a schedule, monitor your health, check how effective the medications you take are. Some blood pressure monitors can store data from multiple users.
4. Violation of the rhythm of heart contractions. This feature is convenient because it allows you to diagnose arrhythmia in time.
5. Heart rate measurement will be useful for those who are struggling with excess weight or play sports. Cardio training is very effective, and to achieve the best result, you need to monitor your heart rate.
6. Audio function. There are models designed for people with poor eyesight. Such devices are equipped with the function of voice playback of the received parameters.

How to choose a tonometer

Which unit for measuring pressure is better to buy home? You need to learn how to use a mechanical one, an automatic one is inaccurate, on the wrist it is convenient, but also has errors. There is no single answer to this question. In each case, you can choose different devices.

Before you buy a tonometer, you need to decide on the purpose of its use and pay attention to important parameters.

• Disease. If you have been diagnosed with high blood pressure, you need to monitor it constantly. Hypertension is a dangerous disease that can provoke the development of complex consequences. In this case, it is desirable to measure blood pressure with the most accurate mechanical tonometer. Moreover, it is also affordable. You just need to learn how to use such a device.
• Measurement frequency. An expensive, high-quality, but preferably mechanical tonometer will be needed for patients who have problems with pressure, they plan to measure it several times a day. If you need a device for preventive measurements once a week, then a budget model will suffice.
• Arm circumference. There are only three sizes of cuffs: small, medium and large. Often men have pumped up muscles, so it is impossible to apply a cuff, in this case a blood pressure monitor on the wrist is useful.
• Price. A cheap blood pressure monitor is enough if it is used infrequently. If you have been diagnosed with a serious disease, give preference to high-quality models, do not spare money, because health is more important.

Some buyers pay attention to the functionality of the units. The more features they have, the higher their price. Which tonometer to choose is up to you. Each type has its advantages and disadvantages, its scope.

Blood pressure monitor manufacturers

When buying a device for measuring pressure, you need to pay attention to what company it is made by. Cheap Chinese devices, which cost about 400-500 rubles, not only will not last long, but they are not of high quality and accuracy.

You need to give preference to products made by popular manufacturers, because they care about their rating.

Omron blood pressure monitors

Omron is a leader in medical device manufacturing. The Japanese company has won the trust of consumers due to the excellent quality of its products. Modern technologies and high-precision electronics are used in the production of devices. Sophisticated marketing has contributed to the fact that Omron blood pressure monitors have practically ousted competitors' products. However, they are slightly overpriced. For home use, not everyone can afford to buy a device that costs more than 5 thousand rubles.

Devices from Microlife

Another well-known company engaged in the production of medical equipment. It is the first company in the world to manufacture mercury-free pressure measuring instruments. Today the company specializes in the production of blood pressure monitors, heating pads, and equipment for asthma patients. The price of devices from Microlife is very affordable. They buy devices from this brand both for home use and for use in medical institutions. The devices are convenient, understandable, affordable.

AND blood pressure monitors

AND is an American manufacturer of high quality, accurate blood pressure monitors for home use. The company has received dozens of awards and medals for excellent product quality. AND produces not only blood pressure monitors, but also stethoscopes, scales, thermometers and other devices for medical use. Electronic tonometers differ in convenience, simplicity, functionality. In the arsenal there are ordinary, cheap mechanical blood pressure monitors and modern automatic devices with various functions for more comfortable use.

Which device is better to choose? Which tonometer will last longer? Where to buy a device with which you can measure pressure? Appliances from all categories are suitable for home use. Is there anyone who will help you or have you yourself learned how to use a mechanical tonometer? It makes no sense to pay more when buying an automatic. The service life of the latter is lower. If you have problems with coordination or vision, choose a semi-automatic device. It's affordable, functional, easy to use, accurate. A wrist tonometer is suitable in cases where a person plays sports or if his forearm is so wide that it simply does not fit into the rubber cuff.

Today it is not a problem to buy a tonometer. Devices for measuring blood pressure are available in any pharmacy. You can also choose and buy a device in the online store. As for the cost, there are aggregates for any wallet. Prices for devices range from 400 rubles to 5-8 thousand rubles. The range is very wide, you are sure to find a model for yourself.