Considering a Home Blood Pressure Monitor Purchase? Six Essential Facts to Bear in Mind
Navigating the labyrinth of home blood pressure monitors can feel like a daunting task when you're coping with hypertension. Here's a lowdown on making the right selection to keep track of your numbers at home:
Home blood pressure monitoring 101
First, let's take a gander at how to measure blood pressure accurately:
- Steer clear of activities that jack up blood pressure for half an hour before testing. No caffeine, ciggies, or exercise please!
- Posture is crucial. Sit upright, support your back, and raise your arm to heart level when measuring. Your arm should be resting on something like a pillow or armrest.
- Relax for five minutes before powering up the monitor. Talking on the phone or cracking jokes could stress you out and affect your readings.
- Empty that bladder. Just another reason to take a bathroom break!
- Establish a routine. Measure blood pressure regularly, at consistent times each day, for meaningful insights.
Now that you know how to take accurate readings, let's talk about choosing a trusty monitor:
Picking the perfect monitor (and avoiding pitfalls)
With tons of blood pressure monitors on the market, making an informed choice can be overwhelming. Heart and hypertension specialist, Luke Laffin, MD, offers six tips on what you should and shouldn't look for:
Opt for arm cuffs over wrist or finger
When shopping for a monitor, grab an automatic upper arm cuff instead of opting for wrist or finger models. The American Heart Association recommends arm cuffs because they offer the most accurate readings.
One size doesn't fit all
The size of the cuff is crucial when choosing a blood pressure monitor. Ensure your cuff fits the circumference of your upper arm properly; an ill-fitted cuff could lead to inaccurate readings.
Don't dive into the deep end of features
Ignore the fancy functions most monitors advertise. Fancy features like Bluetooth connectivity and cloud storage are often unnecessary and add to the cost of the monitor unnecessarily.
Don't trust every app
Swarmed by blood pressure measurement apps in the app store? Dr. Laffin warns: "These products don't work and have not been thoroughly tested." Apps that claim to measure blood pressure through pulse wave velocity might offer misleading readings.
Look for validation and accuracy
Check the US Blood Pressure Validated Device Listing. This independent review committee tests blood pressure monitoring products for accuracy and offers its seal of approval for specific models. While not everything you find on the site will be right for your budget, it's a quick way to find a trustworthy product.
External comparisons
Even the best monitors aren't flawless. Manufacturing errors, wear and tear, and battery depletion can cause inaccurate readings. Test your device against other monitors on a regular basis for the most precise results.
Three's company
Consider a monitor that takes three measurements automatically each time you check your blood pressure. Automatic multi-readings help average your readings, providing a clearer picture of your actual blood pressure.
With the right monitor and an understanding of the test process, tracking your blood pressure at home should become second nature. Don't hesitate to ask your healthcare provider any questions you may have if you're regularly monitoring your blood pressure as part of your treatment plan.
- In conjunction with managing chronic-kidney-disease, it's important to maintain a regular routine of health-and-wellness practices, which includes accurate home blood pressure monitoring.
- While dealing with chronic-diseases like hypertension, avoiding activities that increase blood pressure before testing is crucial for obtaining accurate readings.
- When selecting a home blood pressure monitor, opting for an automatic upper arm cuff – endorsed by the American Heart Association for its accuracy – is advisable over wrist or finger models.
- Besides considering the type of cuff, the size of the cuff is equally crucial to ensure a proper fit for accurate readings.
- To complement fitness-and-exercise routines and proper nutrition, research suggests that CBD might aid in managing medical-conditions like hypertension and chronic-diseases, but further studies are required for substantial evidence.
