Jaylene Pruitt has been with Dotdash Meredith since May 2019 and is currently a business writer for Health magazine, where she writes about health and wellness products.
Anthony Pearson, MD, FACC, is a preventive cardiologist specializing in echocardiography, preventive cardiology, and atrial fibrillation.
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Whether you’re working with a doctor to monitor and lower your blood pressure, or just want to know your numbers, a blood pressure monitor (or sphygmomanometer) can provide a convenient way to keep track of your readings at home. Some displays also provide feedback on abnormal readings or recommendations on how to get accurate readings on the screen. To find the best blood pressure monitors for monitoring heart-related conditions such as high blood pressure, we tested 10 models for customization, fit, accuracy, ease of use, data display, and physician-supervised portability.
Marie Polemey, a former nurse who has also been treated for high blood pressure over the past few years, said that from a patient’s perspective, one of the best things a blood pressure monitor has to offer is an easy way to get more standard readings. Wednesday. “When you go to the doctor, you get a little nervous … so that alone can lift [your reading] up,” she said. Lawrence Gerlis, GMC, MA, MB, MRCP, who treats patients with hypertension, agrees the office reading could be higher. “I have found that clinical blood pressure measurements always give slightly elevated readings,” he said.
All of the monitors we recommend are shoulder cuffs, most similar to the style doctors use. Although wrist and finger monitors exist, it is important to note that the American Heart Association does not currently recommend these types of monitors, except for the physicians we spoke with. Shoulder monitors are considered ideal for home use, and many physicians and patients agree that home use allows for more standard readings.
Why we love it: The monitor is quick and easy to set up and delivers crisp results with low, normal, and high indicators.
After our lab testing, we chose the Omron Gold Upper Arm as the best GP monitor due to its out-of-the-box setup and clear readings. It scored 5 in all of our top categories: Customize, Fit, Ease of Use, and Data Display.
Our tester also noted that the display is fine, but it might not be for everyone. “Its cuff is comfortable and relatively easy to put on by itself, although some users with limited mobility may have difficulty positioning it,” they said.
The data displayed is easy to read, with indicators for low, normal, and high blood pressure, so if patients aren’t familiar with high blood pressure symptoms, they can know where their numbers have fallen. It’s also a great choice for tracking blood pressure trends over time, storing 100 readings for two users each.
The Omron brand is a doctor’s favorite. Gerlis and Mysore distinguish manufacturers whose equipment is reliable and easy to use.
Why we love it: The Omron 3 delivers fast and accurate readings (and heart rate) without being overly complicated.
Heart health monitoring at home doesn’t have to be expensive. The Omron 3 Series Upper Arm Blood Pressure Monitor has the same features as its more expensive models, including multiple reading storage and an easy-to-read display.
Our tester called the Omron 3 Series a “clean” option as it only shows three data points on the screen: your systolic and diastolic blood pressure and heart rate. It scores 5 in suitability, customization, and ease of use, making it a great choice for home use if you’re just looking for rooms with no bells and whistles.
While our testers noted that this option is perfect for what you need the blood pressure monitor for, “it’s not ideal for those who need to track readings over time or plan to track and store multiple people’s readings” due to its total number of readings. limited 14.
Why we love it: This monitor has a fitted cuff and a matching app for easy navigation and reading storage.
Worth noting: The kit does not include a carrying case, which our tester noted would make storage easier.
One of our favorite things about the Welch Allyn Home 1700 Series monitor is the cuff. It’s easy to put on without help and gets a 4.5 out of 5 for fit. Our testers also liked that the cuff loosened immediately after measurement rather than gradually deflated.
We also love the easy-to-use app that takes readings instantly and allows users to take the data with them to the doctor’s office or wherever they might need it. The device also stores up to 99 readings if you don’t want to use the app.
If you don’t want to use the app and want to take the monitor with you, please note that it does not include a carrying case, unlike some of our other options.
The A&D Premier Talking Blood Pressure Monitor offers a unique feature among the options we’ve tested: it reads the results for you. While this option is a huge plus for the visually impaired, Marie Polemay also compares the device to the feeling of being in a doctor’s office due to its loud and clear voice.
Although Paulemey has experience as a nurse and the knowledge needed to understand her results, she believes that verbal readings of blood pressure values may be easier to understand for those without medical experience. She found that the verbal readings of the talking A&D Premier blood pressure monitor were almost “similar to what they [heard] in the doctor’s office.”
This option is ideal for beginners, with minimal setup, clear instructions and an easy-to-install cuff. Our testers also liked that the included guide explained how to interpret blood pressure numbers.
Worth noting: The device may give useless indications of elevated readings, which can cause unnecessary stress and anxiety.
As with other Omron devices we recommend, our testers found this unit to be easy to set up and use. With a one-step setup – insert the cuff into the monitor – you can start measuring blood pressure almost immediately.
Thanks to his app, our testers also found it simple and every user can have their own profile with unlimited readings at their fingertips.
While the device will show elevated readings as high, if not as high as high blood pressure, our testers felt that these interpretations are best left to the discretion of the clinician. Our testers received unexpectedly high readings and consulted with Huma Sheikh, MD, who led the testing, and found that their high blood pressure readings were inaccurate, which can be stressful. “This is not entirely accurate and may cause patients to worry that readings are considered unhealthy,” our tester said.
We chose the Microlife Watch BP Home for the best display of data, thanks to on-screen indicators that can do everything from showing when information is stored in its memory to helping you get the most accurate readings, as well as a relaxation signal and watch. show if you exceed the typical measured time.
The device’s “M” button gives you access to previously saved measurements, and the power button easily turns it on and off.
We also like that the device has a diagnostic mode that tracks your blood pressure for up to seven days if prescribed by your doctor, or a “normal” mode for standard tracking. The monitor can also monitor for atrial fibrillation in diagnostic and routine modes, if signs of fibrillation are detected in all consecutive daily readings, the “Frib” indicator will be displayed on the screen.
While you can get a lot of information from your device’s display, the icons aren’t always intuitive at first glance and take some getting used to.
The medical team tested 10 blood pressure monitors from the list of tested devices in our laboratory. At the start of the test, Huma Sheikh, MD, measured the subjects’ blood pressure with a hospital-grade blood pressure monitor, comparing it to a blood pressure monitor for accuracy and consistency.
During testing, our testers noticed how comfortable and easy the cuff fits our arms. We also rated each device on how clearly it displays results, how easy it is to access saved results (and whether it can save measurements for multiple users), and how portable the monitor is.
The test lasted eight hours and testers followed recommended protocols to ensure accurate readings, including a 30-minute fast and 10-minute rest before taking measurements. The testers took two readings on each arm.
For the most accurate measurement, avoid foods that can increase blood pressure, such as caffeine, smoking, and exercise, for 30 minutes prior to blood pressure measurement. The American Medical Association also recommends going to the bathroom first, which suggests a full bladder can raise your reading by 15 mmHg.
You should sit with your back supported and without potential blood flow restrictions such as crossed legs. Your hands should also be raised to the level of your heart for the correct measurement. You can also take two or three measurements in a row to make sure they are all the same.
Dr. Gerlis recommends that after purchasing a blood pressure monitor, consult with your healthcare provider to ensure that the cuff is positioned correctly and provides accurate readings. Navia Mysore, MD, primary care physician and medical director of One Medical in New York, also recommends taking the monitor with your doctor once or twice a year to make sure it’s still measuring your blood pressure accurately. and recommends replacing it. every five years.
Proper cuff size is critical to obtaining accurate measurements; a cuff that is too loose or too tight on the arm will result in inaccurate readings. To measure the cuff size, you need to measure the circumference of the middle part of the upper arm, approximately halfway between the elbow and the upper arm. According to Target:BP, the length of the cuff wrapped around the arm should be about 80 percent of the mid-shoulder measurement. For example, if your arm circumference is 40 cm, the cuff size is 32 cm. Cuffs usually come in different sizes.
Blood pressure monitors usually display three numbers: systolic, diastolic, and current heart rate. Blood pressure readings are displayed as two numbers: systolic and diastolic. Systolic blood pressure (the big number, usually at the top of the monitor) tells you how much pressure your blood puts on the walls of your arteries with each heartbeat. Diastolic blood pressure – the number at the bottom – tells you how much pressure your blood puts on the walls of your arteries while you rest between beats.
While your doctor can provide more information on what to expect, the American Heart Association has resources on normal, elevated, and hypertensive blood pressure levels. Healthy blood pressure is usually measured below 120/90 mmHg. and above 90/60 mm Hg.
There are three main types of blood pressure monitors: on the shoulder, on the finger and on the wrist. The American Heart Association recommends only upper arm blood pressure monitors because finger and wrist monitors are not considered reliable or accurate. Dr Gerlis agrees, saying that wrist monitors are “unreliable in my experience.”
A 2020 study of wrist monitors found that 93 percent of people passed the blood pressure monitor validation protocol and were only 0.5 mmHg on average. systolic and 0.2 mm Hg. diastolic blood pressure compared to standard blood pressure monitors. While wrist-mounted monitors are becoming more accurate, the problem with them is that proper placement and setup is more important than shoulder-mounted monitors for accurate readings. This increases the likelihood of misuse or use and inaccurate measurements.
While the use of wristbands is largely discouraged, the American Medical Association announced last year that wrist devices would soon be approved on validatebp.org for patients who cannot use their upper arm to monitor blood pressure; the list now includes four wrist devices. and indicate the preferred cuff on the shoulder. The next time we test blood pressure monitors, we will add more approved devices designed to measure on your wrist.
Many blood pressure monitors allow you to see your heart rate when taking blood pressure. Some blood pressure monitors, such as the Microlife Watch BP Home, also offer irregular heart rate alerts.
Some of the Omron models we tested are equipped with blood pressure monitors. These indicators will give feedback on low, normal and high blood pressure. While some testers liked the feature, others thought it could cause unnecessary anxiety to patients and should be interpreted by healthcare professionals.
Many blood pressure monitors also sync with related apps to provide a wider range of data. With just a few taps on the app, the smart blood pressure monitor sends the results to your doctor. Smart monitors can also provide more data about your readings, including more detailed trends, including averages over time. Some smart monitors also provide ECG and heart sound feedback.
You may also come across apps that claim to measure your blood pressure on their own; says Sudeep Singh, MD, Apprize Medical: “Smartphone apps that claim to measure blood pressure are inaccurate and should not be used.”
In addition to our top picks, we tested the following blood pressure monitors, but they ultimately fell short on features such as ease of use, data display, and customization.
Blood pressure monitors are considered accurate and many doctors recommend them to their patients for home monitoring. Dr. Mysore suggests the following rule of thumb: “If the systolic reading is within ten points of the office reading, your machine is considered accurate.”
Many physicians we spoke with also recommend that patients use the validatebp.org website, which lists all devices that meet the American Medical Association’s Validated Device List (VDL) criteria; all the devices we recommend here meet the requirements.
Post time: Mar-24-2023