One of the most common diseases on the planet is hypertension. The insidiousness of this disease lies in the fact that it does not manifest itself for a very long time. In order to live long, maintain your he alth and take the necessary measures in a timely manner in case of an increase or decrease in blood pressure, it is necessary to control it. Tonometers will be excellent helpers in this. Which is better? The reviews are completely different, each person should individually choose for themselves one or another type of this device.
Basic methods to control blood pressure
- Auscultatory, or, as it is also called, the Korotkov method. Heart sounds are heard with a stethoscope. This is the basis of all mechanical blood pressure devices.
- Oscillometric method. The sound wave produced by the heart beat in the cuff is electronically processed.
To quickly determine blood pressure readings, there is a special device sphygmomanometer, it is used both in home and in medical practice.
For people suffering from hypertension, devices such as blood pressure monitors are sold. Which is better? Reviews about them are very diverse, so it is quite difficult to answerthis question. Depending on age, state of he alth, a person can choose a certain type of tonometer for himself.
How to choose a machine?
First, it's worth asking yourself a few questions so that you can determine which type of blood pressure monitor to choose: mechanical, automatic or semi-automatic.
Decision questions
- How often will my blood pressure need to be checked?
- What diseases does a person have?
- Based on financial capacity, how much can I spend to buy a device?
For people under the age of forty, in the absence of diseases of the heart and blood vessels, carpal tonometers are appropriate. They are worn in the same way as wristwatches. Such models are chosen by athletes - thus it is convenient to monitor the pulse during training. The same goes for blood pressure.
For the elderly, it is best to use blood pressure monitors with a shoulder cuff. On the wrist, the vessels are smaller. The pulse and blood flow in this case are more different. It is advisable to use an automatic tonometer, since in the case of measuring blood pressure using mechanical and semi-automatic models, there is a risk of increasing blood pressure against the background of a power load when inflating the cuff with a pear.
There are special devices with which pregnant women measure pressure. Such models allow, even at an early stage, to determine a tendency to preeclampsia, a complication of toxicosis during childbearing.
Recently, women's devices have appeared that take into accountfeatures of pressure during pregnancy.
When using a semi-automatic blood pressure monitor, the cuff is manually inflated and the result is shown on the display. Compact models are easy to use and affordable. This is the best blood pressure monitor for traveling or relaxing in the country.
Some models have a special children's cuff. Such devices allow you to measure blood pressure in children.
For those who suffer from atherosclerosis or tachycardia, there are special models of blood pressure monitors. In them, the measurement is carried out three times, after which the device itself calculates the average indicator.
For those who have an increased pulse, there are also special models of blood pressure monitors with an arrhythmia indicator. During research, an icon is displayed on the LCD display, signaling an increased heartbeat. In this case, the pressure should be measured again.
There are blood pressure monitors that measure blood pressure on the finger. They are the least accurate and are not suitable for those with heart conditions.
Best blood pressure monitors
According to the reviews of people who often use such medical devices, you can make a small list of blood pressure monitors that prefer to purchase hypertension patients:
- Omron device from Japan - price from 1600 rubles.
- Chinese-made Gamma devices - cost from 600 rubles.
- Swiss tonometer "Microlife" - will cost 3500-4000 rubles.
- Japanese AND devices - from 2000 rubles.
- Little Doctor appliances from Singapore - circa 2000rubles.
- High-quality Japanese-made Nissei blood pressure monitors - about 2500 rubles.
What are the advantages of the Omron blood pressure monitor?
- The devices of this company are electronic. Thanks to them, it becomes possible to measure blood pressure very quickly.
- The product line includes several models: wrist and traditional, with a cuff worn on the forearm.
- All models are compact, they can be used at home or at work, and maybe during leisure time.
- An indisputable plus is the presence of useful functions.
- Very simple control - one button.
- Wide screen, which is very important for people with poor eyesight.
- The instrument can store measurements in memory.
- This sphygmomanometer, which is quite affordable, is able to calculate the average value of the readings.
- Guarantee for the device - five years, all readings are very accurate.
- Smart control.
Omron's durable blood pressure monitors are the perfect combination of price and quality.
Types of blood pressure monitors
- Mechanical.
- Electronic - semi-automatic and automatic.
Main advantages of the device
- Quality blood pressure monitors show accurate and stable results.
- Some Japanese-made models have artificial intelligence. There is a special Intellisense function, thanks to which it becomes possible to take into accountattention arrhythmia and other individual characteristics, correct errors to improve measurement accuracy. These devices have a large and clear monitor that makes it easy to read the measurement results. If a person has poor eyesight, then it is worth choosing just such a tonometer, the instructions for it will help you figure out how to properly handle the device.
- Many electronic devices have an upper pressure pre-detection feature so you can properly inflate the cuff before taking blood pressure measurements.
- Semi-automatic appliances are cheaper.
- Automatic blood pressure monitors make the measurement process as easy as possible - you just need to press the button.
Do you choose blood pressure monitors? Which is better? Each user gives his own reviews about the models, so they must be selected individually.
How to measure blood pressure correctly?
In order to achieve accurate readings, you need to know all the nuances of this procedure.
- Measure blood pressure one to two hours after eating.
- Do not smoke or consume caffeinated foods for half an hour before taking readings. Do not drink alcoholic beverages before. Also, avoid physical activity.
- In the process of determining blood pressure readings, you can not talk and make sudden movements.
- The cuff should be applied in such a way that its lower edge is located a couple of centimeters above the bend of the elbow, and two fingers (for adults) or one(for children).
- If measuring pressure in a sitting position, you need a chair with a straight back, on which you should lean your back. In this case, the feet are on the floor. This prevents pressure buildup due to isometric muscle tension.
- Depending on the model of the blood pressure monitor, the size of the cuff should correspond to the circumference of the shoulder or wrist.
- The tube should fit into the cuff under the elbow crease at heart level.
- Checking the pressure on both hands, choose the result that is higher according to the indications.
- It's impossible to achieve true data in one go. You should re-measure the pressure twice, taking a break for three minutes. After that, the average is calculated.
Important tips for choosing and using the appliance
- Have you decided to purchase a device and study blood pressure monitors? Which is better? Reviews about these devices are very important to study. But you should pay special attention to more functional blood pressure monitors, although they are more expensive.
- If you measure the pressure three to four times a day every day, the batteries will last 3-4 months. When they are replaced or completely discharged, the data that is in the device's memory is completely erased.
- Cuff should be inflated thirty to forty millimeters of mercury higher than upper systolic pressure.
- If the air is suddenly released from the cuff, you should change the batteries or pay attention to the mains adapter, if the device is powered by it. This means that the required power is not being provided.
- Automatic models run on batteriesor from the network, if there is a connector for connecting the adapter. The situation is quite different with semi-automatic machines. These devices run exclusively on batteries.
What are the additional functions in the measuring device
- MAM is a technology that allows you to calculate the average value after three consecutive measurements. The result is known in less than two minutes.
- PAD - this technology helps to diagnose pulse arrhythmia when measuring blood pressure.
- Some models have diagnostic functions, which include automatic calculation of mean pressure, arrhythmia indicator.
- There are also devices that have a calendar and a clock.
- Memory indicator and alert timer are important functions in the device.
- A system that controls measurement quality and saves batteries.
Apparatus for measuring blood pressure in children
Do you choose children's blood pressure monitors? Which is better? Reviews say that it is impossible to give unambiguous assessments, it all depends on many nuances. Children have much lower blood pressure than adults. The thing is that the lumen of the vessels in a child is wider, they are more elastic. The capillary network is larger.
In order to measure the pressure of a child, you can use any device - electronic or mechanical. The only difference is the cuff size. Most often, the cuff is supplied in a standard size for adults. It is 22-42 cm. Therefore, the pediatric cuff will have to be purchased separately.
Main selection criteria
The cuff should be selected not by age, but by arm circumference. For newborns, a neonatal model should be used. Its size is from 5 to 7.5 cm. As for measuring pressure in infants, the infant model from 7.5 to 13 cm is perfect for this purpose. The baby cuff has the following dimensions - from 13 to 20 cm.
Some manufacturers produce automatic models of blood pressure monitors for children. They are brightly colored and have no sharp corners. Such devices resemble children's toys.
In addition, it is appropriate to use a carpal tonometer to measure the pressure in a child, while fixing it on the baby's shoulder.
Those who suffer from hypertension or hypotension should definitely consult a specialist. The doctor will help you choose the ideal model among the variety of blood pressure monitors. It is very important to control the pressure, because this way you can notice deviations from normal indicators in time and take the necessary measures in order to stabilize the condition.
