Tonometer is an indispensable tool for people suffering from hypertension. It is also used for the timely diagnosis of changes in blood pressure, especially during pregnancy. A tonometer is also used in pediatrics. Therefore, the presence of such a device will not become superfluous in a home medicine cabinet. From our article you will learn what types of blood pressure monitors exist and how to be guided when choosing a device.
Types of blood pressure monitors
Tonometers are classified according to the method of pumping air and processing information. There are the following types:
- Mechanical. They are divided into 2 subspecies: mercury tonometer and aneroid.
- Semi-automatic electronic.
- Automatic machines.
There are also shoulder blood pressure monitors, bracelets and rings.
In addition, devices for pregnant women and a blood pressure monitor for children can be placed in separate categories. In principle, these groups of patients can measure blood pressure with any other tonometers, but some device manufacturers have paid special attention to the needs of these categories of people and have developed models that have additional functions for moreeffective and comfortable use of the tonometer by expectant mothers and babies.
We will tell you more about the advantages and disadvantages of each type of tonometer below.
Additional functions of individual models of blood pressure monitors
Tonometer is a device for measuring blood pressure, but additional built-in functions help determine arrhythmia, pulse, average pressure. Usually modern electronic models of devices have such amenities. Each additional function of the device is reflected in the increase in its cost. When buying, pay attention to the presence of such features of the device and their need in your case. There are following built-in functions:
- Automatically turn off the device after a set amount of inactivity will help conserve battery or battery life.
- There are devices with built-in memory. They remember the data of previous measurements, which will help to build a graph of indicators and monitor changes in blood pressure. Some models can fix the date and time of use of the device, as well as memorize the measurement data of several patients. For example, the AND 777 tonometer has such functions.
- Many electronic blood pressure monitors can measure the pulse, some are equipped with an arrhythmia indicator. If the device has recorded a rapid heartbeat, then repeated measurements of blood pressure are carried out, since arrhythmia affects the indicators.
- People with poor eyesight will be helped by a tonometer with voice playback of the results of indicatorsmeasurements.
- Some models are equipped with the function of transferring data to portable devices: computer, laptop, tablet, phone.
- There are also so-called "smart" blood pressure monitors. They turn on and off on their own, measure the pressure of a person after a given period of time, evaluate the results, keep a schedule.
How to choose the right blood pressure monitor?
When choosing a blood pressure monitor, you must first answer a few questions:
- Purpose, frequency and duration of use of the device. The choice of the type of tonometer depends on the answers to the question posed: mechanical, semi-automatic or automatic, the need for battery operation or the presence of a power adapter, the weight of the device, the availability of additional functions.
- Age of the patient. So, for example, tonometers-rings and mechanical devices without a digital display are not suitable for older people.
- The state of hearing and vision of the subject. It may be necessary to purchase a device with voice playback of results or a convenient wide screen.
- Price category.
- Manufacturer brand rating.
And one more important detail: you should choose a blood pressure monitor with a cuff that fits the size.
Standard shoulder cuff sizes for blood pressure monitors
An important factor when choosing a blood pressure monitor is the availability of a suitable cuff on the shoulder. Incorrect size will result in inability to measure blood pressure or distort the results. Available in the following cuff sizes:
- Size S - 18-22 cm.
- Size M - 22-32 cm.
- Size L - 32-45 cm.
- Pediatric cuffs.
Mechanical blood pressure monitor
Mechanical aneroid blood pressure monitor is the most common type of device for measuring blood pressure in medical institutions. It consists of a shoulder cuff, a stethoscope or phonendoscope to listen to heart sounds, and a pear that pumps air. Depending on the model, the body of the device is metal or plastic. The size of the shoulder cuff is standard - 22–32 cm. Some mechanical blood pressure monitors can measure blood pressure in both arms. Pressure relief regulators can be screw or button type.
In addition, no batteries or battery charging is required for a mechanical pressure measuring device. The price attracts consumers: of all types of blood pressure monitors, mechanical devices are the cheapest. Their average cost is 1500 rubles.
Medical workers trust the readings of blood pressure monitors of this type, considering them the most accurate and effective. However, in order for the results to be reliable, it is necessary to use the device correctly, which is extremely difficult for a non-professional at home. Most often, difficulties arise when listening to heart sounds, it is especially difficult to perform the procedure for older people with hearing impairment.
The disadvantages include the fact that the results of blood pressure indicators when measured with a mechanical tonometer are largeinfluence is exerted by extraneous factors, for example, drinking a cup of coffee immediately before the procedure, the patient's uncomfortable position, anxiety, pregnancy, and many others. In a polyclinic, doctors take into account known factors when measuring pressure. But at home, it is quite difficult to complete such a task without error.
Mechanical mercury blood pressure monitor
This type of device differs from the mechanical aneroid one by the presence of a mercury measurement scale. The mercury blood pressure monitor is rarely used today, as it is dangerous to use, especially at home.
Reviews on mechanical blood pressure monitors
As mentioned above, a mechanical device attracts consumers with an affordable price. But it has a number of disadvantages and certain difficulties in using such a tonometer. Reviews of doctors speak of the following inconveniences of using such devices:
- It is rather difficult for yourself to measure pressure with such tonometers, since all the work must be done mechanically. In addition, you only need to inflate and deflate air in a certain way, slowly, which is not always possible when using the device on your own.
- A tight bulb is not always easy to squeeze sufficiently for elderly or debilitated patients.
- Measurements should be taken in complete silence, as noise can distort the results.
- Measurement requires exact hit of the phonendoscope membrane on the artery.
Semi-automatic blood pressure monitor
Semi-automaticblood pressure monitors require mechanical air injection, but they listen to heart sounds and display the measurement results on an electronic screen. Such devices are available to measure blood pressure at the shoulder, wrist and finger. It can be noted that a semi-automatic device with a cuff on the shoulder is a good tonometer. Reviews of such devices are mostly positive. They have high measurement accuracy, are convenient and easy to use. Some models are equipped with additional features. The semi-automatic pressure measuring device is distinguished by high quality and long service life. Its price is about 3000 rubles.
Automatic device
In today's society, we often prefer electronic gadgets. But, acquiring a tonometer, this rule should be violated. Reviews of doctors and consumers speak of the inaccuracy of the measurement results of such devices and a short service life. Electronics quickly fails, frequent replacement of batteries or charging of the accumulator is necessary. In addition, according to consumers, automatic blood pressure monitors are overpriced. The price of a shoulder electronic device for measuring pressure is 5000–7000 rubles. Electronic devices in the form of a wristband or ring are much cheaper, but the accuracy of such devices is not reliable.
Have automatic blood pressure monitors and advantages:
- The device does all the work itself: pumps and deflates air, processes indicators, displays results in digital format.
- The device is convenient inuse while traveling.
- Measurements can be carried out in any conditions, as extraneous noise and other external factors do not affect the performance of the tonometer.
- This tonometer has a high accuracy of results. Reviews indicate errors in indicators of 3-5 mm Hg. st.
Measurement of blood pressure during pregnancy
Tonometers for pregnant women have become a novelty in the market of devices for measuring blood pressure. These are automatic or semi-automatic devices. According to the principle of use, they are no different from other types of devices. But when measuring pressure during pregnancy with other types of devices, there is a high probability of deviations in measurement indicators up to 50 ml Hg. Art., which is a high level of error. A feature of tonometers for pregnant women is the ability to diagnose a woman's tendency to preeclampsia in the early stages. In addition, such a device takes into account the characteristics of the woman's body during childbearing and minimizes possible errors in the results of indicators.
Microlife devices have such properties. These tonometers are highly accurate and reliable. The model of the tonometer "Microlife VR 3VTO-A (2)" passed clinical trials. This device is an automatic sphygmomanometer with a shoulder cuff. In addition to blood pressure, the device determines heart rate and predisposition to preeclampsia. There is an arrhythmia indicator and a measurement memory function. The kit comes with 2cuff sizes: M and L. The advantage of this tonometer model is also the ability to work both from batteries and from a network adapter. The manufacturer claims a high accuracy of the results: the error is 3 mm Hg. st.
Children's blood pressure monitors
Children's blood pressure is normally lower than that of adults. But this does not mean that the crumbs need some special devices for measuring indicators. Any thermometer will do. The problem lies not in the characteristics of blood pressure in children, but in the volume of the hand. The fact is that adult cuff sizes are completely unsuitable for a small hand, and, accordingly, measuring blood pressure in a crumb is not possible. Taking into account such features, manufacturers of tonometers began to complete standard models of devices with additional pediatric cuffs. Their sizes and types are as follows:
- neonatal cuff - 5–7.5 cm;
- baby cuff - 8-13cm;
- children - 14–20 cm.
If you plan to measure the pressure of a child, then be sure to check the fact that the required cuff size is included with the tonometer. Such devices are produced under the brand name "Omron", "Babyphone", "Little Doctor". In addition to the included pediatric cuffs, the children's blood pressure monitor comes in bright colors and unusual fun shapes, which makes the medical procedure a fun game.
However, according to the principle of operation, any children's blood pressure monitors are standard mechanical or electronic devices. Availability of pediatriccuffs and an unusual shape significantly increase the cost of the device. So, an ordinary mechanical device will cost no less than 1,500 rubles.
Reviews on tonometers brand "Microlife"
Microlife brand devices are blood pressure monitors developed in Switzerland. This manufacturer was the first to mass-produce pressure measuring instruments that do not contain mercury. The main activity of the brand is the development of blood pressure monitors for home use. Consumer reviews testify to the high accuracy of the measurement results and the durability of the operational period of devices of this brand. In the series of equipment "Microlife" there are tonometers of all types: mechanical, semi-automatic and electronic. The cost varies depending on the type and built-in functions of the device for measuring pressure. The price of Microlife tonometers is 400–600 rubles. (mechanical device) and 2500-5000 rubles. (electronic appliance).
Reviews about tonometer AND 777
The AND 777 automatic blood pressure monitor is popular on the market. According to consumer reviews, this device has a number of advantages:
- Easy, comfortable use. Bright large numbers of indicators on the electronic display.
- Determines the heart rate.
- Arrhythmia indicator included.
- A convenient color scale for interpreting results is built in. If the device shows green, the pressure is within normal limits, yellow indicates slight deviations, red indicates an immediate request formedical assistance.
- Has an additional memory function for 90 measurements.
- The intelligent control system determines the required level of cuff inflation.
- Powered by batteries or AC adapter.
- There is a sleep timer.
As for price indicators, for example, UB blood pressure monitors from the AND series of devices cost about 4,500 rubles.
Beurer automatic blood pressure monitors
Beurer brand automatic pressure measuring devices have some special features. The undoubted advantage is the presence in all models of automatic devices of this brand of the intelligent control system "Real Fuzzy Logic", which controls the level of air injection. In addition, all electronic models have 2 memory blocks - from 30 to 60 measurements each. The Beurer tonometer also has other advantages:
- built-in arrhythmia indicator;
- determines the pulse;
- color scale for interpretation of measurement results;
- powered by batteries or mains;
- auto power off function;
- there is a clock and a calendar;
- Beurer tonometer model BM 19 has the function of voice playback of results;
- in model BC 08 the case is waterproof;
- measurements are accompanied by sound alerts;
- the device will indicate violations in operation with sound signals.
Despite a number of advantages, German Beurer brand pressure measuring devices are not so widely popular, as consumers believe thatthese tonometers are automatic. The price ranges from 3000 to 5000 rubles. Consumers and professionals talk about inaccurate measurement results, a large influence of external factors on performance, cuffs that are uncomfortable in size and the lack of a power adapter.
Preparation for pressure measurement
In order for the measurement results to be reliable, it is necessary to follow some recommendations:
- Sit in a comfortable body position, relax for 5 minutes before taking measurements.
- Do not drink alcohol, coffee the day before.
- Avoid nervous tension, anxiety.
- Perform the procedure in silence, do not talk during the measurement.
Instructions for measuring blood pressure with a mechanical tonometer
How to measure pressure with a mechanical tonometer? After reading the instructions for measuring pressure with a hand-held device, you can check the performance of other types of devices. Take measurements as follows:
- Fix the cuff on the upper arm at the same level as the heart. It is 3 cm above the elbow. Wrap the cuff around your arm and secure with Velcro.
- Insert a phonendoscope into your ears.
- Install the phonendoscope amplifier on the inner crook of the elbow where a large vein passes.
- Grip the “pear” of the device with your palm. Using it, inflate the cuff until the device shows a pressure higher than 40 mm Hg. Art. from the intended.
- Open slowlyvalve to release air, trying to hear the first push of blood. This is the upper, or systolic, pressure.
- When you can no longer clearly hear the pulse through the phonendoscope, record the digital readings. This is diastolic or lower pressure.
- Deflate the cuff completely.
- Repeat measurements if necessary.
Interpretation of pressure measurements
For the interpretation of the measurement results, refer to the table below. But remember that only a doctor can make a final diagnosis.
| Reduced | 100/60-110/70 mmHg st. |
| Normal | 110/70-130/85 mmHg st. |
| Increased | 135/85-139/89 mmHg st. |
| Mild hypertension | 140/90 mmHg st. |
A reading over 140/90 is classified by a doctor as moderate or severe hypertension.
Give preference to trusted manufacturers. Thus, Japanese And and Omron devices, German Beurer and Tensoval, Swiss Microlife devices won the trust of doctors and patients. With the right choice and use, the blood pressure monitor will become a family doctor for the whole family and will last for many years.
