How to choose the right blood pressure monitor? Four cheat sheets for the leader

Hello, dear friends!

Today, as promised, we will talk about blood pressure monitors. I think that after a detailed conversation about hypertension, it is logical to talk about pressure meters.

Perhaps for many of you, choosing a tonometer does not present any particular difficulties.

And wonderful!

Therefore, I will be very glad if you also find something valuable for yourself in this article.

But I know that thousands of people who have nothing to do with pharmaceuticals every day type in a search engine the phrase “how to choose a tonometer?” And who knows, maybe they will come across this blog.

Therefore, here I would like to give as detailed information as possible on how to choose the right blood pressure monitor for yourself and your loved ones, so that later it will not be excruciatingly painful for wasted money.

What will this conversation be about?

First, we will look at what types of blood pressure monitors there are and how they work.

Secondly, let’s think about the eternal question of buyers: “Which blood pressure monitor is better?”

Thirdly, let’s think about what questions to ask a buyer who wants to purchase a tonometer.

Fourthly, let’s remember how to measure blood pressure correctly.

Fifthly, we will analyze the most common questions from customers and decide how to answer them.

Well, are you ready?

Then let's get started.

What to look for when choosing a tonometer

Modern devices for accurately measuring pressure are divided into mechanical and electronic. Electronic devices, in turn, are divided into semi-automatic and automatic. Both of them are suitable for home use, as they are not particularly difficult to use, so almost anyone can measure their own pressure.

When choosing the most suitable device for your home, you need to consider factors such as:

• expected measurement frequency;
• required accuracy of readings and stability of results;
• the need to carry the device with you;
• additional parameters: cuff size, device dimensions.

How to choose a tonometer

Far from the last indicator in choosing the best tonometer is the manufacturer and its recognition. After all, today many pharmacies offer products from unknown brands. When buying such a product, you can run into a low-quality product, the manufacturer of which does not even have a specialized service center. Therefore, it is better to give preference to well-known brands.

The most recognizable manufacturers include: B.Well (Europe), Omron (Japan), A&D (Japan), Little Doctor (Singapore), Beurer (Germany), Microlife (Switzerland), CS Medica (Germany). All of them produce high-quality mechanical and automatic blood pressure monitors, but experts advise buying automatic models for home use, especially if a person has arrhythmia. This is because many users cannot cope with a mechanical tonometer. A study was even conducted among ordinary people (not doctors) and it turned out that only 25% of them correctly identified Korotkoff sounds. But, of course, the choice always remains with the person who came to the pharmacy to buy the device.

Before buying a reliable blood pressure monitor, you need to study factors such as:

• The type of tonometer is electronic or mechanical, wrist or shoulder; there are also mini-models where the mount is designed for a finger.
• Type of cuff : wrist cuff or shoulder cuff. The size of the fabric is very important here: if you have a very thin or thick arm, the shoulder cuff may not fit (you should always check this indicator in the store, since all models have different latches located differently).
• Quality of materials – the blower bulb should be made of elastic rubber to prevent cracking of the surface. The cuffs are made of cotton or high-quality nylon.
• Power supply : from batteries or mains.
• The presence of additional functions - reading memory, accurate intelligent measurement function, automatic calculation of average pressure, arrhythmia diagnostics, alert timers, battery saving and much more.
• Availability and terms of warranty and full service - all well-known manufacturers provide a full guarantee for their products for a period of 3 to 10 years.

Additional functions of the measuring apparatus

Any modern automatic blood pressure monitor is equipped with one or more additional functions. Intelligent pressure measurement turned out to be a very necessary function. It is necessary for those who suffer from arrhythmia. The device itself analyzes the pulse wave, selecting a fragment only with a stable pulsation in order to produce the most accurate result.

No less important are functions such as:

• MAM technology – provides an average value based on an accurate analysis of 3 consecutive measurements.
• PAD technology – accurately diagnoses pulse arrhythmia.
• Diagnostic functions – determines the risk of arrhythmia.

Features such as the built-in calendar and clock turned out to be overkill for many users.

Any tonometer must have a special inspection mark in the instructions, and a corresponding stamp in the warranty card.

A&D UA-200

This tonometer is one of the best among mechanical devices. It is characterized by stable and long-term operation and produces the most accurate pressure readings. The cuff in the A&D UA-200 is suitable for arm coverage of 22-32 cm. The cuff of this tonometer is wear-resistant, it is very easy to fix, and it is also easy to inflate air. The tonometer is packed in a convenient bag in which the device can be easily transported and simply stored at home.

A&D UA-200

A&D Medical, Japan

The A&D UA-200 tonometer is an easy-to-use, accurate professional device for measuring blood pressure, which has established itself as one of the most reliable tonometers in the segment from the Japanese manufacturer A&D.
from 1850

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How to measure blood pressure correctly

Having weighed many factors before purchasing a good tonometer, you also need to learn how to measure pressure, that is, adhere to certain rules, namely:

• do not measure pressure during or after stress, as well as after any physical activity;
• do not hold your mobile phone during the procedure;
• carry out the procedure only in a sitting position (in some cases it is allowed to lie down), and so that the measured area is at the level of the heart;
• do not drink coffee or green tea an hour before the procedure, otherwise the readings will not be accurate;
• empty the bladder, as this affects the value of the lower indicator;
• When fixing the cuff, do not squeeze your arm - it should be applied as comfortably as possible.

History and principle of operation of the device

The first apparatus for measuring pressure appeared in the eighteenth century. The English scientist Hales used a horse for his experiments. He stretched the artery in his leg, punctured it and inserted a thin copper tube with a test tube at the end. After loosening the bandage, the blood rose and fell in accordance with the pulsations of the heart muscle.

Fifty years later, the device was improved by a French physician, worked on the basis of mercury and was injected directly into the artery. Thirty years later, a non-invasive device was invented in Germany that did not require penetration. Of course, he gained enormous popularity among medical luminaries.

Prototypes of the modern blood pressure monitor were used exclusively on animals for scientific purposes. And only in 1856, pressure measurement was first tested on a person, when the device was connected to an artery directly during a surgical operation.

In 1905, a real sensation broke out in the medical world - Russian vascular surgeon Nikolai Korotkov proposed measuring blood pressure using the sound method and demonstrated his version of the device. This is how the classic tonometer was born, which is still used today. The essence of the method is to clamp the artery and listen to the pulse with a stethoscope; all measurements are recorded with a pressure gauge.

A thick cuff is placed on the patient's shoulder, into which air is pumped through hoses using a rubber bulb with an adjustable release valve. The stethoscope is placed in the cubital fossa, moving it slightly under the cuff. As soon as the pulsation can no longer be heard, the valve should be slowly opened. A series of heartbeats can immediately be heard. At the first sound, you need to remember the number on the pressure gauge - it will mean systolic (upper) pressure. The last audible impulse will characterize the value of the diastolic (lower) indicator.

This method was the only one for measuring pressure for sixty years. In 1965, an automatic type of blood pressure monitor appeared in the United States, in which air was pumped into the cuff using a compressor, and a microphone was used instead of a stethoscope.

Then in Japan and South Korea they began to produce fully automatic devices, which appeared in Russia in the nineties, and then their own production began.

Best automatic toner meters from Omron

Omron M2 Classic

A fully automated tonometer that can do, if not everything, then a lot. The device is capable of not only determining blood pressure, but also, thanks to the patented IntelliSense intelligent measurement technology, diagnosing arrhythmia and other heart rhythm disturbances. The main advantage of this device is its sensitive and reliable measurement mechanisms: from the Japanese pressure sensor to the indicator of correct fixation of the cuff. The measurement results can be monitored using the proprietary OMRON connect smartphone application. The device memory stores information about the last 60 measurements. The device runs on four AA batteries and provides a pressure measurement error within 3 mmHg. Art., and pulse - 5%.

The price of the device is 2600 rubles. Not that expensive for such functionality.

Price: RUB 3,172

Omron M3 Expert series HEM-7132-ALRU

New generation fully automated shoulder tonometer. Accuracy of indicators with an error of 3 mm Hg. Art., which is the minimum value for determining blood pressure. The tonometer is packed to the brim with new functions, although half of them are definitely not useful to most users.

The manufacturer even built in a motion sensor to notify the patient of unwanted actions during the procedure. Whether this function is needed in reality is up to the buyer to decide. Another function that we have not found any analogues is a light indicator for precise fixation of the cuff. If the patient has secured the cuff correctly, a special light comes on. Users note that this is a convenient innovation, since thanks to correct fixation, the most accurate indicators are obtained.

Price: RUB 3,763

Omron RS2 blood pressure monitor

Tonometer for wrist mounting (cuff 13.5 - 21.5 cm) automatic action. It works quickly and displays data on a separate screen. The device has almost all available additional functions, including the latest IntelliSense intelligent control system. The downside is that the batteries drain quickly, although the manufacturer claims about 500 measurements.

Price: ₽ 2,520

Omron M2 Basic series HEM-7121-ARU

Omron M2 is an automatic shoulder blood pressure monitor that comes with a power adapter. The manufacturer took care of the users and built in an advanced automatic system that completely controls the pressure measurement process. A special feature of the device is the Omron Connect function, with which you can transfer measurement data to a smartphone. To do this, just download the application and point the camera at the tonometer screen. This feature is useful for accurately tracking readings.

Price: ₽ 2,200

Tensoval Duo control

This compact tonometer makes it very easy to monitor both blood pressure and pulse. Tensoval Duo control will be appreciated by people who need maximum ease of use of the tonometer, and athletes will also like it. You can measure your blood pressure without any problems at home, on the street, or during training – the device is lightweight and fits on your wrist without any problems. The Tensoval Duo control tonometer is extremely reliable, will last a long time, and the memory is designed for the last 60 measurements. The screen shows the date and time of pressure control; the batteries last for 2000 measurements. This tonometer can also work from a power outlet; the kit includes a case.

Tensoval Duo control

Budget models up to 2,000 rubles

B.Well PRO-33 ML

Shoulder tonometer B.Well PRO 33 automatic type with cuff (circumference from 22 to 42 cm). It runs on both batteries and a power supply, which, by the way, is not included in the kit. The device has a minimum of functions, so it is perfect for older people. Operating the tonometer is intuitive, especially since there is only one button on the body. One of the disadvantages is the rigid cuff made of unpleasant material.

Price: ₽ 1,990

The best mechanical (semi-automatic) blood pressure monitors

CS Medica CS-106

A mechanical brachial blood pressure monitor that is considered to be quite accurate when used correctly. The kit includes a specialized phonendoscope, with which you can additionally listen to the lungs. The cuff model (24-42 cm) has an increased size, but if you don’t like this one, you can change it to another type of cuff. Users appreciate the classic tonometer model, but there are small errors in the indicators.

Price: ₽ 836

7. Little Doctor LD12 tonometer

Automatic wrist tonometer, the cuff size of which is adjustable in the range from 13 to 21 cm. Powered by two AAA batteries. It is capable of measuring not only pressure, but also pulse, and also determining the presence of arrhythmia. In this case, the error in measuring pressure does not exceed 5%, and pulse - 3 mm Hg. Art. The device remembers the latest results automatically: the memory is enough for 90 measurements, and it can also be divided between two users. The screen is informative, contrasty and with large numbers - just right for older users.

A convenient and reliable household medical device that costs less than 1,500 rubles.

Price: ₽ 1,230

Rating of popular brands

AuthorVoting

• 1 Little Doctor - Little Doctor has been on the market for over 30 years. The company is engaged in the production of medical equipment, medical products and medical clothing. The product catalog includes tonometers, thermometers, stethoscopes and other diagnostic equipment.
• 2 AND (A&D) - this popular Japanese company was founded in 1977. The range of products produced is also wide: similar to Little Doctor, the company produces medical equipment and develops the principles of new technologies. The main direction in development is high-precision devices for measuring blood pressure. In addition, the company's product range also includes pedometers.
• 3 B.Well is another well-known young brand, founded in 2004 and has already become one of the leaders in the production of not only medical equipment, but also orthopedic products (insoles, bandages, compression stockings, crutches). The company produces products for the whole family - its range also includes children's products, such as aspirators, humidifiers, scales, inhalers, and thermometers.
• 4 Omron - the company was founded in 1933 and is one of the oldest companies on the market - its history goes back almost 100 years. In addition to medical equipment, the company is engaged in the production of electronic components, which are present in almost any automatic or digital product that people use in everyday life, and industrial automation.

Also trustworthy: Nissei, Tensoval, Johnson&Johnson, Armed.

Long-term presence on the market already significantly increases trust in brands. But you can’t focus on this factor alone - one brand can have both models of the highest quality and quite mediocre ones.

Comparison table of the best blood pressure monitors