Keep it away from heat.Īsk your doctor or nurse to teach you how to use your blood pressure monitor correctly. Make sure the tubing is not twisted when you store it. On your own, periodically check the tubing for cracks and leaks. They should check your monitor once a year. Once you buy your device, have your doctor check it for accuracy. How do I know if my monitor is accurate or if I am using it correctly? They range in price from about $30 to more than $100. This can make them hard for some patients to use. Body movements or an irregular heart rate can affect its accuracy. There are some drawbacks to the digital monitor. Digital monitors are good for hearing-impaired patients, since there is no need to listen to your heartbeat through the stethoscope. Inflation of the cuff is either automatic or manual, depending on the model. Some units even have a paper printout that gives you a record of the reading. The blood pressure reading displays on a small screen. The digital monitor has a gauge and stethoscope in one unit.
They often are easier to use than aneroid units. Digital monitorĭigital monitors are more popular for measuring blood pressure. This type of monitor may not be best for hearing-impaired people, because of the need to listen to your heartbeat through the stethoscope. Additionally, the rubber bulb that inflates the cuff may be hard to squeeze. This is what makes it easier to put on the cuff. The device may be hard to use if it doesn’t have a metal ring to tighten the cuff. It is a complex device that can be damaged easily and become less accurate. There are some drawbacks to the aneroid monitor.
It also is portable and can be carried easily from one place to another. The unit may have a feature that makes it easy to put the cuff on with one hand. They range in price from about $20 to $40. The cuff goes around your upper arm and you squeeze a rubber bulb to inflate it by hand.Īneroid monitors often cost less than digital monitors. It has a gauge that you read by looking at a pointer on the dial. The aneroid monitor manually checks your blood pressure. They also are expensive and can cost more than $100. These devices are sensitive to placement and body temperature. Tests show that finger and wrist devices do not always provide correct measurements.
Keep in mind that pricey units may not be the best or most accurate. You may want to shop around to find the best deal. Blood pressure readings can be wrong if your cuff is the wrong size. You can ask the doctor, nurse, orpharmacist to help you. The cuff size you need is based on the size of your arm.
Size: The right cuff size is very important.Look at the following features when you select a monitor. Choose the type of monitor that best meets your needs. To measure your blood pressure at home, you can use either an aneroid (manual) monitor or digital monitor. Path to improved well being What equipment do I need to measure my blood pressure at home? Measuring your blood pressure at home is a good way to take part in managing your health. If you take medicines to control your blood pressure, it will help document if they are working. The record shows your doctor how your blood pressure changes throughout the day. If you monitor your blood pressure at home, keep a record, or log, of the measurements. They often do this to manage or treat a certain health condition. Many people monitor their blood pressure at home.