The systematic need to measure pressure makes you think about purchasing a tonometer. Medical equipment stores and pharmacies offer a wide range of devices. Which pressure measuring device is good and how not to make a mistake in choosing?
Tonometer: what is it?
Sphygmomanometer, also known as a tonometer, is a medical diagnostic device for determining blood pressure. The device consists of a cuff applied to the arm and a pressure gauge - an air blower with an adjustable bleed valve. Tonometers are divided into several categories according to the parameters:
- Type. There are mechanical, automatic, semi-automatic and electronic devices for measuring pressure.
- Cuff size.
- Dial.
- Indication accuracy.
What is a blood pressure monitor for
Normally, blood pressure readings can deviate by no more than 10 mmHg. Art. More serious changes signal the presence of problems with the cardiovascular system. High blood pressure can causestroke, heart attack or hypertensive crisis. Correct therapy is possible with daily monitoring of blood pressure measured by a tonometer. The best blood pressure monitors help:
- Track the results of taking medications prescribed by your doctor and adjust the selected therapy.
- Define sudden pressure surges, accompanied by a deterioration in well-being.
- Control the state of the body after the transition to a he althy lifestyle.
- Measure blood pressure at home without going to medical facilities.
A good blood pressure monitor in a home first aid kit is the 1 device necessary for people suffering from diseases of the cardiovascular system, diabetes mellitus, subject to constant stress and psycho-emotional stress, and having hormonal disorders. The device is indispensable for athletes, people with bad habits, pensioners and pregnant women.
When should I buy a blood pressure monitor?
Blood pressure control is not just for the elderly. A sphygmomanometer may also be needed by young, in particular pregnant women. According to statistics, up to 20% of women bearing a child experience problems with blood pressure. Hypertension and hypotension can cause serious he alth problems and death if not properly controlled.
Physical activity negatively affects the body of athletes, who also monitor the pulse and blood pressure in order toprevention of cardiovascular disease.
Of course, any problems with the vascular system in general and blood pressure in particular - hypotension or hypertension - require the purchase and use of a good blood pressure monitor. Before buying, it is advisable to view the range of blood pressure monitors and choose the best one.
Mechanical or automatic?
When choosing a blood pressure monitor, customers are faced with the question of the difference between automatic and mechanical devices for measuring pressure. The differences, with the exception of the price, are in control, accuracy and other nuances.
Mechanical devices are considered the most difficult to manage. Measuring pressure with them requires good hearing and a keen eye in order to track the movement of the pressure gauge needle and hear the beating pulse.
However, mechanical blood pressure monitors have their advantages: after mercury, such a device is considered the most accurate. The error in determining blood pressure is almost zero, the device lasts a long time and is cheap.
Automatic pressure measuring device is more expensive, but faster and easier to use. In accuracy, it is almost as good as a mechanical one, but, unlike it, it can measure the pulse. Modern models are equipped with additional features aimed at preventing problems with the cardiovascular system. How to choose a blood pressure device?
World of electronic blood pressure monitors
Semiautomatic devices are a cross between mechanical and automatic sphygmomanometers. They measure blood pressure and pulse rate, butit is necessary to inflate the cuff of the device for measuring pressure independently. Upon reaching the maximum air level, the device emits a melodic sound, announcing the beginning of blood pressure measurement.
Semi-automatic machines are almost as accurate as mechanical blood pressure monitors and almost identical to them in price. For this reason, they are often considered the best devices with an affordable price and wide functionality.
The machines are divided into two types depending on the location of the cuff: on the shoulder and on the wrist. Wrist pressure devices are small but not very accurate due to the vessels being too close to the skin.
Carpal blood pressure monitors are preferred by athletes who are not afraid of inaccuracies in readings. Hypertensive patients, on the contrary, should purchase shoulder devices - they combine convenience and accuracy.
The cuff of the shoulder tonometer is attached to the shoulder, on the inner side of which large vessels pass. Therefore, they have high accuracy. In addition, they are convenient to use: just mount the device on your shoulder and start it by pressing one key.
Functions of the automatic blood pressure monitor
The possibilities of the best devices for measuring pressure are not limited to measuring pulse and blood pressure. When choosing a blood pressure monitor, it is advisable to familiarize yourself with additional functions and choose the best option that suits the price and features.
Automatic and semi-automatic sphygmomanometers are often equipped with an arrhythmia diagnostic function. The device monitors heartbeat failures and signals danger in case of theirdetection. Arrhythmia is recognized in the early stages, not accompanied by clinical symptoms. For patients at risk, timely diagnosis of the disease is the main task.
Good blood pressure devices that can detect atrial fibrillation are the latest automatic blood pressure monitors, by the way, very expensive.
Another useful feature is the sequential execution of three measurements and the issuance of an average reading. The accuracy of the automatic device depends on the correct measurement of pressure. Before the procedure, it is advisable to rest for a few minutes, during the measurement - to be at rest. During the operation of the tonometer, it is not recommended to move and talk. Similar requirements apply to all types of devices - both mechanical and automatic.
If there is an urgent need to measure blood pressure and there is no opportunity to rest before the procedure, it is better to choose a mechanical tonometer - it will give more accurate readings than an automatic one. Models with the function of calculating the average of three indicators become a pleasant exception: they give the most accurate result.
How and where to check the device for measuring pressure
It is advisable to test the tonometer before buying. It should be quite compact in size, lie comfortably in the hands, a standard cuff should cover the shoulder and not pinch it - overweight people need to carefully choose it. The display and the indicators displayed on it should be easy to read.
All blood pressure monitors, except for devices forpressure measurements on the wrist, connect to the mains adapter. It is indispensable for those who often measure pressure. The adapter comes standard with the blood pressure monitor, but can be sold separately.
After a thorough examination and review of the tonometer, you must make sure that the warranty card is available. The document allows you to avoid marriage and carry out service maintenance of the device in the event of a breakdown.
Next, consider the rating of the best blood pressure monitors. Models are selected based on cost, functionality, advantages and disadvantages.
First Place: Omron M2 Basic
Automatic apparatus for measuring pressure "Omron". The cuff, 22-32 cm long, is attached to the shoulder, and a power adapter is included in the kit. Can run on batteries or rechargeable batteries. The liquid crystal display showing blood pressure readings is located on the front panel of the case. A little lower is the button to start the tonometer. If the measurement is incorrect, a beep sounds, and an automatic shutdown function is available.
Benefits:
- Affordable price.
- Ease of operation.
- Measurement accuracy.
- Five year warranty.
- Ability to connect to the mains.
Flaws:
No function to save measurements, arrhythmia signal and sound data
Second: B. Well WA-33
Automatic device with cuff 22-42 cm with shoulder attachment. Complete with network adapter. The display shows indicatorspulse, blood pressure and information about the presence of arrhythmia. If the rhythm is disturbed and the battery is low, an audible signal sounds. Automatic determination of the individual pressure level is carried out by adjusting the degree of inflation of the cuff. The color scale located on the side of the display determines the correspondence between normal and measured pressure. The tonometer is activated with one key, it can remember one measurement. Automatic shutdown occurs a minute after the end of the measurement. Manufacturer's warranty - 3 years.
Benefits:
- Ease of use.
- Ability to save data.
- Battery low indicator.
- Diagnosis of rhythm disturbances.
- Pressure level scale.
- Individual cuff inflation level.
Flaws:
There is no function to sound the measurement result
Third place: Omron M2 Classic
Another automatic blood pressure monitor from Omron. Unlike the M2 Basic, it can store up to 30 blood pressure readings. The kit includes a standard cuff for 22-32 cm, a universal cuff with a longer length and a power adapter. The device is able to detect arrhythmia in the early stages and reports measurement errors. Ease of operation is achieved through a single control key, a large display and the absence of unnecessary information. Due to its light weight and compact size, the tonometer can be taken on trips.
Benefits:
- Easy.
- Diagnosis of arrhythmia.
- Ease of operation.
- 30 memories.
- Universal cuff included.
- 5 year manufacturer's warranty.
Flaws:
- No function to announce results.
- No battery level indicator.
- No backlight.
- Does not determine how much air is inflated into the cuff.
Fourth place: Omron M3 Expert
Many people are wondering which pressure measuring device is good. Alternatively, you can call Omron M3 Expert. The device reacts to irregular pulsations and determines the correctness of the measured readings and the need for a second procedure. A special icon displayed on the display notifies you of heart rhythm disturbances. The device stores previous readings in memory and displays them when requested. A separate indicator informs about the correct placement of the cuff on the upper arm, ensuring high accuracy of pressure measurement. The smart system allows you to regularly monitor your he alth.
Fifth: A&D UA-1100
Digital automatic blood pressure monitor with a cuff 23-37 cm, made of hypoallergenic material. The memory of the device stores the last 90 readings of blood pressure, calculates the average value, and diagnoses atrial fibrillation. Additional features include cuff location indicator, time and date of measurement. Power sources - 4 batteries or mains. The main unit comes with a ten-year warranty. Large display digits, large buttoninclusions make the use of the tonometer convenient for older people with poor eyesight. The tonometer warns of patient movement during measurement and improper cuff attachment to avoid inaccurate measurements.
Sixth: B. Well WA-55
Automatic tonometer with a cuff placed on the shoulder 22-42 cm. Diagnoses arrhythmia, notifying of failures by sound and indication methods, controls blood pressure and pulse. There is a battery level indicator. Comes with AC adapter.
Up to 60 last BP readings for two people can be stored in memory. The tonometer calculates the average pressure value, has an automatic shutdown function. The memory function for up to 120 readings is useful for those who regularly visit a doctor but do not keep a blood pressure diary. Depending on the level of the measured blood pressure, the display of the tonometer is painted in one of three colors. The manufacturer gives a 3-year warranty.
Benefits:
- 120 memories, 60 per person.
- Determining the average pressure.
- Battery level and arrhythmia indicators.
- Display color illumination depending on pressure.
Flaws:
No sound alert
Seventh place: AnD UA-777 AC
Ergonomic design, light weight and compact dimensions make the automatic blood pressure monitor an indispensable device for a home first aid kit. The device is completed with the network adapter. Activation and deactivation of the tonometer are carried out by pressingsingle button. The liquid crystal display shows information about blood pressure, its average value and the degree of filling the cuff with air. The last 90 measurements and the average level of blood pressure are stored in the memory of the device.
Flaws:
- Short length cuff is not suitable for overweight people.
- Excessive sensitivity of the blood pressure monitor and irregular heart rate can reduce the accuracy of blood pressure measurements.
Eighth: CS Medica CS 105
Mechanical blood pressure monitor with a built-in stethoscope, which greatly facilitates the use of the device at home. The service life is increased due to the pear metal screw and high strength metal pressure gauge. The cuff can be self-attached to the arm thanks to the metal bracket. Its distortion is prevented by a special seal. The mesh filter on the pear cleans the supplied air from dust.
The only drawback of the tonometer is the short length of the cuff.
Ninth ranked: Little Doctor LD-71A
A classic mechanical blood pressure monitor designed specifically for home use. Complete with metal aneroid pressure gauge, seamless air bladder, high strength nylon cuff, needle air valve, vinyl bag and metal stethoscope. There is a fixing ring. The weight of the whole tonometer set is 340 grams. It has high measurement accuracy with an error of 4 mm Hg. st.
The disadvantage of the device is that it is focused only onadults.
How to choose a blood pressure device?
When choosing a reliable blood pressure monitor, you should rely on the recommendations of a cardiologist or therapist. The doctor will help you choose a device, the functionality of which will allow you to track blood pressure in accordance with the age, individual characteristics, nature and symptoms of the patient's disease.
Which pressure measuring device is good? Judging by the reviews, all the tonometers presented do an excellent job with their main task - measuring blood pressure. When choosing, it should be borne in mind that you will have to pay a large amount for a high-quality and accurate device. It is worth buying a tonometer only in specialized medical equipment stores or pharmacies.
