Introduction

In case you face a blood pressure hike problem, or you have to struggle with hypertension, most of the time, your doctor recommends blood pressure tracking devices that you can use conveniently at your home to manage the office visits. However, if you search the internet, there are bundles of apps that provide the same facilities at just one click. Although, sorting the fake and genuine apps and then picking out the best one can be quite a struggle in itself and obviously, struggles are least recommended when you have a blood pressure situation. But worry not, we are at your service to add to your convenience. 

Here is the professional advice from Luke Laffin regarding what a blood pressure monitoring device must have:

1: Cuff Size: Blood pressure is measured from the upper area of one of the forelimbs; hence, it is necessary for the cuff to fit your upper arm perfectly. In case of the cuff not fitting your arm, the readings the monitor shows may be inaccurate.

As per the guidelines provided by various American medical colleges, in 2017, the appropriate cuff sizes are:

Adult Small: Circumference of the arm from 22-26 cms

Adult average: Circumference of the arm from 27-34 cms

Adult large: Circumference of the arm from 35-44 cms

2: Prefer Arm Cuffs Rather Than Wrist Cuffs

If you are older than 50 years, it is highly recommended that you opt for arm cuffs instead of wrist cuffs. Apart from that, picking a fully automatic machine over a semi-automatic one that requires a stethoscope is a better option. Though there are many locations for buying medical equipment online, Dr. Laffin suggests that you buy the fully automatic monitor with upper arm cuffs. You can easily sort it out by the name brachial blood pressure monitor. However, if you are younger than 50 years, you can choose the wrist cuffs also.

3: Weigh-in Monetary Terms Properly

There are many unnecessary and decorative accessories on many monitors. These additional accessories do not affect the readings in any capacity. Fancy features like Bluetooth or reading storage feature, etc. are unnecessary and hence shouldn’t be spent on. They only add to the purchasing costs of the device. A properly functional and ideal blood pressure measurement device shouldn’t cost more than 60 dollars.

4: Refrain From Smart App Usage

There is a wide array of apps available on the internet as well as your mobile phone app store which claims to be tracking and providing readings of blood pressure. However, Dr. Laffin has dismissed such claims, and the fact has been made widely known that these apps show false readings as they often read the waves in your finger artery. Misleading information can be devastating. Hence it is suggested to be kept away from.

5: Accuracy Check

You can look for the stores or sites for buying medical equipment online, and you can quickly get your hands on a monitor. However, it is better to match the equipment with that of your physicians or doctors. You have to make regular accuracy checks after two or three years anyway as that’s the average life of a blood pressure measuring device for homes.

6: Triple Measurement

Nowadays, many blood pressure measuring devices have a triple measurement feature. They take readings at intervals of half a minute to one full minute two times before taking the final measurement after an interval of the same time frame. This increases the chances of an accurate reading as the final reading comes as an average of all three readings. Thus, the probability of the most accurate reading is maximized.

Conclusion

The above buying guide provides you with a substantial amount of knowledge required to buy the best Blood pressure measuring unit for your home. The guide is custom-tailored to direct you to the monitor that suits your preferences and also doesn’t take a lot out of your pocket. After referring to these guidelines, you can take a much-needed respite from the stress to choose the ideal blood pressure measuring unit.