Measuring your blood pressure at home can be very useful and can help you to feel more in control of your condition. It can also help you to understand more about your blood pressure, what affects it and how it changes. It is not appropriate for everyone, however, and you should think carefully before buying a monitor. Is measuring at home likely to reassure or worry you? If you would like to monitor your blood pressure at home, you are likely to need the support of your doctor or nurse. Many will be supportive of their patients taking more control of their health, but some may be resistant. If this is the case, talk to your health professional about their reasons for concern, and try gentle persuasion and persistence! At the end of the day it is your decision.
What type of monitor is best?
There are many different monitors available, which can be bought at chemists or directly from manufacturers. Most measure blood pressure from the upper part of your arm, in the same way that your doctor or nurse measures it. These machines automatically detect your systolic and diastolic pressure, unlike the mercury sphygmomanometers (pronounced sphig-mom-an-om-eters) that your health professional may use.
Some machines measure blood pressure from the wrist or finger. These are not recommended at the moment, as they do not give the same readings as in the upper arm where blood pressure is usually measured. If you do have a wrist monitor it is very important that when you measure your blood pressure you keep your wrist at the same height as your heart, otherwise your blood pressure measurement is likely to be inaccurate.
At the moment a good choice would be a machine that measures blood pressure in the upper arm within your price range.
How do I choose an accurate monitor?
When you look at blood pressure machines, you should find they carry a "CE" marking on their packaging. Unfortunately, although these monitors are marked with a 'CE' mark which shows that they have undergone some testing, this is not a reflection of their accuracy. The Association is working with the Department of Health and the British Standards Institute to try and ensure that all blood pressure monitors are tested for accuracy. In the meantime, you can use the list of blood pressure monitors below, compiled by the British Hypertension Society (BHS) www.bhsoc.org, as a guide. It should be noted that the BHS list (available at www.bhsoc.org/blood_pressure_list.htm) is compiled from research papers and not direct testing, but you may find it a useful guide when you buy a blood pressure monitor.
Cuff size: Many models are available will different sized cuffs, depending on the size of your arm. Most people need the standard cuff, but if you have very large or very small arms you may need a small or large size. Ask your doctor or nurse for advice if you think you need a non- standard cuff. If different sizes are available for any model they are listed as:
S = small
St = standard
L = large
All of the monitors on this list are upper arm monitors, have been through independent testing, have been shown in research to be accurate:
A and D Instruments UA-704 - £40
A and D Instruments UA-767 - £70
A and D Instruments UA-779 - £71
A and D Instruments UA-787 - £80
A and D Instruments UA-774 - £90
A and D Instruments UA-767 Plus - £80
A and D Instruments UA-767 Plus Memory - £85
A and D Instruments UA-767PC - £120
A and D Instruments UA-767V - £150
A and D Instruments UA-767P-BT - £176
All A and D Instruments monitors have small, standard and large cuffs available to buy
Microlife BP 3BTO-A - £60 St, L
Microlife 3BTO-A (2) £80 - with two different sized cuffs provided can also be used during pregnancy
Microlife 3AG1 - £50 St, L
Microlife - As easy as 123 - £45 St, L
Microlife 3AC-1- £80 St, L
Omron MX2 Basic - £53
Omron MX3 Plus - £60
Omron M5-I - £90
Omron 705IT - £170
Omron 705cp-II - £150
All Omron monitors have small, standard and large cuffs available to buy
Suppliers of blood pressure monitors:
(This information is provided to assist users of the web site and is not a recommendation on the part of the CARA SOCIETY)
Medisave (UK) Ltd (wide range of monitors available)
Units A and B, McKay Way
Lynch Lane Industrial Estate
WEYMOUTH
Dorset
DT4 9DN
Tel: 0800 804 6447
Fax: 0800 804 6448
www.medisave.co.uk
Microlife Health Management Ltd (microlife monitor)
Unit 6 & 7
Henfield Business Park
Henfield
West Sussex
BN5 9SL
Tel: 0845 2225 123
Fax: 01273 493 986
www.microlife.uk.com
Omron Healthcare UK Ltd
Opal Drive
Fox Milne
Milton Keynes
MK15 ODG
Customer Services:0870 750 2771
Email: info.omronhealthcare.uk@eu.omron.com
Web: www.omron-healthcare.com
PMS Instruments (A and D Instruments monitors)
Waldeck House
Waldeck Road
Maidenhead
Berks SL6 8BR
Telephone: 01628 773233
Web site: www.pmsinstruments.co.uk
You can also buy a range of blood pressure monitors from larger chemists and pharmacies.
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Recording Readings
It is important to record readings accurately, and to take them with you when you visit your doctor or nurse. Many people use a computer file to keep their readings and work out an average. The Excel spreadsheet below is designed to record a months worth of readings and to calculate the average reading for you. The average of your readings is displayed at the bottom of the chart and there is room for you to record details of your activities and medications. The file allows you to record readings for morning and evening each day but you may chose to take readings less often. To open the file click here. If a dialogue box appears about macros, click the button to 'disable macros' to open the file.
Need to know more?
The Association has a more detailed information sheet on measuring blood pressure. Please contact us for a copy.
The British Hypertension Society (BHS) is primarily a research and scientific organisation. Their web site has more information on monitors, including copies of all research on listed blood pressure monitors, and taking readings.
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