Blood Pressure Monitor

Blood pressure monitors to use at home have become readily available over the last few years.

I bought one about 3 years ago and although I didn’t expect it to be 100% accurate,

I have been amazed how similar the readings are to the readings at my regular check-ups.

So many things can affect blood pressure: exercise, stress, time of day, foods, drinks etc.

It can also be affected by the anxiety of having your blood pressure taken by doctor (white coat syndrome).

There have been a number of studies, which have concluded that taking your blood pressure at home is actually the best indicator of your true blood pressure.

Monitoring your own blood pressure would be extremely useful for example if you had changed your medication. Instead of waiting to see your doctor sometime in the future and having your blood pressure taken once, you would have a record of a number of readings taken at regular intervals.

If you are monitoring a change in medication or lifestyles then daily monitoring would probably be best, but long term, weekly should be sufficient.

In order to make sure that your readings are as accurate as possible and especially when you use them as a comparison, you should take them in the same way each time.

There are two types of blood pressure monitors to consider for home use. One measures the pressure at the wrist, the other measures the pressure at your upper arm.

The upper arm type is more accurate and if you are intending to seriously monitor your blood pressure during any medication or lifestyle changes this would be the one to choose.

Both types will normally incorporate a heart rate monitor and have a memory that saves your readings. If you just want to keep an eye on your blood pressure out of interest or as a weekly comparison over a period of time a wrist cuff may be all you need. This type is much more compact and discreet so you can easilt take it with you when you are away from home or use it at work etc.

To achieve the most accurate readings: Sit upright with both feet on the floor and rest for 5 minutes before you actually take a reading. Support your arm on a table so that it is level with you heart. You can use either arm, but for consistency always use the same one. The cuff on the monitor should be tight but comfortable. Once you start the monitor remain still. For the best accuracy take 3 readings, 2 minutes apart and the average the 2nd & 3rd.

In order to get an accurate reading do not to take your blood pressure within 30 minutes of a meal or any stimulants such as coffee, cigarettes or alcohol.

(Although it is worth doing so now and again – you will be shocked how much these things affect you!)

It’s Your Heart. It’s Your Life.

It’s Your Choice.

Go To Heart Attack Symptoms from Blood Pressure Monitor
Go To Signs Of High Blood Pressure