The blood pressure monitor is a device that allows us to monitor blood pressure constantly. So many are available on the market with different models and functions, so anyone who wants to buy one is often confused. Everyone must choose the one that best suits their needs.
Have you decided to buy a pressure gauge but don’t know which one to opt for? Below is a brief guide on how to choose one.
Blood pressure monitor: Types
Various types of sphygmomanometers differ in terms of operation and mode of use. The first two we’re going to examine are:
- Digital blood pressure monitor
- Analog blood pressure monitor
The most frequent question, in this case, is which of the two is more precise? The analog one is the most traditional and has a manual pressure pump.
This type of sphygmomanometer is not as simple and immediate as a digital sphygmomanometer can be. It requires only the insertion of the arm inside the instrument and is activated using buttons, thus presenting itself to anyone.
Another advantage of electronic pressure gauges is that, unlike analog ones, you can monitor your health by recording the measurement data each time.
Two other types of pressure gauges are:
- Arm
- Wristwatch
The difference between these two types is that the wrist can be more affected by the involuntary movements of the hand, leading to errors, while this risk for the arm is less.
In other respects, a wrist monitor is more comfortable than the arm monitor due to two factors:
- Thanks to its practicality, it can be taken anywhere, even outside the home.
- Everyone can use it, even those with enough fleshy arms that could have problems with a normal arm sphygmomanometer.
Quantity and Types of information it provides
In addition to the pressure value, a digital blood pressure monitor can provide other information regarding our health. Here are the main ones:
- WHO indicator: This indicates that it is validated and calibrated according to the WHO guidelines (World Health Organization) and gives reliable information.
- Arrhythmia and abnormality detection: detecting cardiac rhythm and reporting anomalies from the normal heartbeat.
- Average of all values.
Ease of use
The ease of use of such a device is very important to make the right choice. The keywords, in this case, are simplicity and practicality. Indices of these two factors are:
- Amplitude and clarity of the display.
- Touch screen controls (easier to manage than small buttons).
- Fully automatic or semi-automatic operation.
- Voice guide.
Functions
The functions of a blood pressure monitor can greatly influence the choice by a subject who has to buy one. The more features the device has, the more expensive it will be. Here are the functions a sphygmomanometer can offer:
- Memory: It is important to better monitor the information given by the meter.
- Alarm clock: ideal for those who often forget to measure pressure.
- Automatic shutdown: occurs after a few minutes of inactivity to avoid consuming the batteries.
- Notice of use errors.
- Low battery indicator.
- Motion sensor: it can detect a movement that can lead to an error in the instrument.
- Wireless and connectivity: allows connection to tablets and smartphones.
Accessories
Owning a good accessory kit is a plus when choosing an instrument. Here are some accessories: additional sleeves, a case, a power supply or batteries, and a diary where you can write down the data.
