Best Data Display: Omron Platinum Blood Pressure Monitor
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Stores 200 data sets per user
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Carrying case included
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Machine sensitivity makes it prone to error messages
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Slight learning curve to understanding the device
Omrons Platinum Wireless Blood Pressure Monitor has a display that stood out during our testing. We rated this device a five out of five for data display because the letters were large and easy to read, and the devices backlit screen makes the data stand out in both light and dark settings. The screen shows your two most recent blood pressure readings, so you can compare data quickly. Additionally, the device is easy to connect to its paired app, which stores 200 readings per user .
Our testers said this device was incredibly easy to set upplug the cuff into the device and youre ready to take your reading. Our testers noted that the Omron Platinum is incredibly sensitive to movement, so movement during a reading will trigger an error message. It took a few trials to figure this out the machine did not explicitly say that the added movement caused the error message to appear. Because of this, we scored this machine a four out of five for ease of use, bringing its overall value rating down slightly to 4.5 out of five.
Average Standard Deviations
Price at time of publish: $84
Verywell Health / Nick Kova
Power Source: Batteries or AC adapter | Maximum Readings Stored on Device: 200 | Number of Users It Can Store Data For: 2 | Weight: 1.01 lbs
Importance Of Home Monitoring
High blood pressure can increase your risk of heart attack, stroke and other conditions, making it important that you take steps to get levels under control. Your doctor may suggest lifestyle changes and prescribe medication to address hypertension. In order to check how well your treatment plan is working, it is often necessary to check your blood pressure levels at home. By recording the numbers and sharing them with your doctor, they can determine whether changes need to be made in your medication or if additional lifestyle modifications are necessary to lower your blood pressure.
Accuracy And Ease Of Use
10 Tips For Accurate Readings
When you switch to the right wrist, turn the cuff around so the shortest part of the device is over the highest part of the wrist bone, on the radial artery thumb side facing the inside of the wrist.
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Omron 10 Series Wireless Upper Arm Blood Pressure Monitor
This model is the upgrade to the OMRON 5 series, which itself is still a popular choice for at-home use. This one has a bigger memory and improved features to try and enhance performance.
The Omron BP785 10 Series Upper Arm Blood Pressure Monitor is a new monitor that replaces the previous and very popular Omron HEM-780. The New Omron BP785 boasts updated features and software that leaves many of its competitors playing catch-up. Lets take a look at some of the devices features.
Out of the box, this Omron blood pressure monitor includes one ComFit Cuff, one English & Spanish instruction manual, one Quick Start Guide, one AC adaptor, and one storage case. The ac adapter is a nice touch since some monitors dont include one, and must run off batteries. The device is small, light, and has large, easy to read numbers thanks to a black backdrop with white numbers.
The Comfit fit cuff is a special patented design that provides a comfortable fit and accurate readings with every use. It expands to fit both regular and larger arms. An indicator on the device will let you know if the cuff has been fitted correctly.
Another great feature on this Omron blood pressure monitor is its ability to track your readings history. It comes with a two-user mode, which means 2 different people can use the blood pressure monitor and both their readings will be saved on the device. So you can both flip through the history of your readings.
Pros:
Cons:
It appears to be a fairly accurate unit .
Best Wrist Blood Pressure Monitors
A wrist blood pressure monitor is used to measure the blood pressure of the patients with arthritis and other arm ailments. It is an alternative for a patient that is unable to use the traditional blood pressure cuffs. Although it is said that finger and wrist monitors do not measure blood pressure very well, many people are still using it. The reason for the devices incapability is that they are sensitive to body position and body temperature, and they are more expensive than other monitors.
However, some of the wrist blood pressure monitors have 48 memory storage, a large easy-to-read LCD panel, and a hand storage case. Some of these devices also feature a pulse monitor. And of course, a wrist cuff is included when you get a hold of this kind of monitor.
This device usually comes in a compact design for easy storage. It can be used anytime and anywhere because it does not take too much space in your bag. Innovations are really applied with these kinds of monitors because they are made in a wrist-watch style, push buttoned and also have a wrist cuff that automatically inflates.
Manufacturers have come up with the idea of adding much utility to this device, and as a result, the wrist blood pressure device are improved to look like a watch. Some people want to take their pressures in a discreet and simple manner. It is battery operated and handy to the user.
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How Exact Are At
While automatic, digital blood pressure monitors are known for being fairly accurate, there are a few factors to pay attention to in order to ensure your readings are as accurate as possible. The American Heart Association recommends not smoking, drinking caffeinated beverages or exercising at least 30 minutes before taking a blood pressure reading. Using an arm cuff that fits you properly is also important, as a cuff thats too small can artificially raise your blood pressure readings.
Maintaining a relaxed composure and good posture can also help when taking a blood pressure reading, as can ensuring youve used the bathroom recently. Additionally, the American Heart Association notes that some fluctuation in blood pressure readings is normal.
Best Data Storage: Microlife Watch Bp Home
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Cuff fits easily and comfortably onto arm
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Screen displays excessive data that may be confusing to user
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Slight learning curve to understanding the device
If youre investing in a quality blood pressure monitor, youre likely going to want to get plenty of uses out of it. The Microlife Watch BP Home Blood Pressure Monitor stores up to 250 blood pressure readings, so you can track your vitals over time. The device is easy to set up and only requires plugging the cuff into the monitor itself. The cuff, which has instructions for use printed on the outside, stays put once positioned on your arm.
Once youve taken your reading, the monitor automatically stores the data and previous readings can be accessed by the M button on the machine. It offers a Diagnostic Mode for people whose doctors put them on a 7-day self-monitoring program, and can detect A-Fib.
Our testers said that the one downside to this machine is that it provides more information than necessary on its display. The screen shows the date, battery life, and various other icons that could be confusing to an inexperienced user, though it provides plenty of information for anyone who prefers that level of detail. We gave this device a point a four out of five for data display, but because it received five out of five in every other category, we gave the Microlife Watch BP a 4.5 out of five for overall value.
Average Standard Deviations
Price at time of publish: $100
Verywell Health / Nick Kova
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More Blood Pressure Monitors To Consider
We tested the following blood pressure monitors in addition to those in our top choices, but they ultimately fell short when it came to features like ease of use, data display, and set up.
- A& D Medical Advanced Manual Inflate Blood Pressure Monitor: While the monitor is easy to read and displays data clearly, the system is difficult to use for new users.
- Omron Evolv Upper Arm: It scored a 5 in data display and portability, but our tester found the cuff difficult to put on without help.
- Withings BPM Connect: The associated app is easy to use, but information is displayed on the cuff and readings take a while to process.
Best Blood Pressure Monitors Buyers Guide
Reviewed by health expert Sally Russell, MN, CMSRN, CNE
If you’re one of the 116 million Americans with high blood pressure or hypertension, twice-daily blood pressure readings can clue you in to trends over timedata that could help you prevent complications like a heart attack or stroke.1,2
To make sure we recommended a sensitive, accurate, and easy-to-use blood pressure monitor, we educated ourselves about blood pressure measurement technology, read hundreds of user reviews across the web, and talked with our very own nurse advisor, Sally Russell, MN, CMSRN, CNE. Our verdict: the best blood pressure monitor for at-home use is the Omron Platinum.
Like all of the blood pressure monitors on our list, the Omron Platinum is clinically accurate and offers easy-to-understand results. But its stand-out feature is unlimited storage through a mobile app. Other monitors store around 100 readings, which makes it less convenient for you to track long-term trends.
Find other blood pressure monitors with expanded cuff sizes or lower price points in our full list below.
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Best Home Blood Pressure Monitors Of 2022
These devices can help you keep better track of your numbersand even get them under control
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If you have high blood pressure, you might benefit from being able to keep a close eye on your numbers. For that, youll need a home blood pressure monitor.
Research suggests that self-monitoring of blood pressure can lead to lower blood pressure numbers and, if you have uncontrolled hypertension, may help you get it under control.
And for certain people, a home blood pressure monitor can help diagnose hypertension in the first place. A 2019 study in the journal Hypertension found that almost 46 percent of all U.S. adults could benefit from blood pressure monitoring outside the doctors office. Thats partly because home blood pressure checks can help get around phenomena like masked and white coat hypertension, in which in-office blood pressure measurements are lower or higher, respectively, than they are in daily life.
Here, more about the burden of high blood pressure in the U.S. You can also scroll down to see our top picks for home blood pressure monitors.
Experts have emphasized the need for research focused on better prevention and treatment of hypertension for Black Americans.
Below, youll find four of our top-rated home blood pressure monitors. Members can see our full ratings and reviews here.
Blood Pressure Cuffs At Walgreens
To get an accurate blood pressure reading, it’s important to use a blood pressure cuff in the right size for you. Sometimes the standard cuff that comes with a blood pressure monitor just isn’t a good fit. We carry an assortment of blood pressure cuff sizes from brands Zewa, LifeSource and others to help you find a great fit.
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At Home Vs The Doctors Office
Many people find that they have higher blood pressure readings at the doctors office because theyre less at ease there and because professional tools may be more accurate.Home blood pressure readings can be less accurate than those taken at the doctors office, where manual checks are a possibility. One way to ensure that you get consistent blood pressure readings is to bring your monitor with you to an appointment and compare the results.Talk with your doctor to make sure you use the device correctly and check for accuracy. Be consistent in your approach and take your blood pressure at the same time each day. Sit in the same position, avoid caffeine, and rest ahead of time for the best results.
blood pressure monitor at home to regularly check your blood pressure to improve and manage your health. Youll still need to schedule an appointment with a healthcare professional for routine blood pressure readings.
Its important to keep a close eye on your blood pressure if you have certain health conditions or a family health history of them. Conditions include diabetes, high or low blood pressure, and heart, thyroid, or kidney concerns.
According to 2021 research , home blood pressure monitoring may help people with hypertension improve blood pressure. It can also help decrease stroke, target organ damage, and heart disease.
. This is particularly important if you feel dizzy, light-headed, or nauseous.
How We Reviewed Blood Pressure Monitors
We started our evaluation by looking over prices, user reviews, and doctor recommendations. Here are some things we considered when selecting blood pressure monitors for our list:
- Simple interface: A user-friendly interface with large numbers and big buttons makes it easier to navigate the blood pressure monitor and understand the results.
- Multiple users: A multiple-user feature tracks more than one persons blood pressure, so you can share the monitor with family members and skip the hassle of buying multiple devices.
- Accurate readings: Accuracy is one of the most important things to look for in a blood pressure monitor. We chose only upper arm monitors for our list because they tend to have the best accuracy. Learn more about the different types of blood pressure monitors.
- Memory storage: With high memory storage, you can log your blood pressure readings multiple times a day and over a long period to give your doctor a better picture of your health.
- Advisor recommendations: We asked Sally Russell, MN, CMSRN, CNE, health expert, and educator, to review our selection and suggest one of her own.
Learn about how we rank products by checking out our full methodology.
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How To Line Up A Blood Pressure Cuff
The first step in taking someones blood pressure with a manual blood pressure cuff is attaching the cuff. Proper placement and alignment is critical if you want to get a proper reading. Heres how to line up a blood pressure cuff:
- Make sure the arm is bare, uncovered by a shirt sleeve or clothing you wont get an accurate reading if the cuff is placed over clothing.
- Slide the cuff up over the upper arm, about an inch to 2 inches above the elbow.
- Most manual blood pressure cuffs have a tag with two arrows pointing down. They should be pointing down into the crook of the elbow, on either side of the brachial artery.
You can draw a line up from the pinky finger if you need help aligning the arrow. Thats also where youre going to place the stethoscope diaphragm.
- Cinch the cuff down to where it is snug, but not painfully tight. You should be able to slide a finger between the cuff and arm.
Thats it, now youre ready to go. Heres the full list of the steps on how to take someones blood pressure with a manual blood pressure cuff.
How We Rated The Blood Pressure Monitors
4.8 to 5 stars: These are the best blood pressure monitors we tested. We recommend them without reservation.
4.5 to 4.7 stars: These blood pressure monitors are excellentthey might have minor flaws, but we still recommend them.
4.0 to 4.5 stars: We think these are great blood pressure monitors, but others are better.
3.5 to 3.9 stars: These blood pressure monitors are just average.
3.4 and below: We don’t recommend blood pressure monitors with this rating you won’t find any on our list.
Verywell Health / Nick Kova
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How Accurate Are Blood Pressure Monitors
While home blood pressure monitors aren’t going to be as accurate as what you’d find in a doctor’s office, they still give you good enough results to give you a clear idea of how your heart health is holding up. If your home results are wildly different than those at the doctor’s, you should purchase a new monitor.
Blood Pressure Companion Apps
Make the most out of your devices with OMRON apps. They make it easy to track your health and include features that allow you to view your blood pressure at any time, track your log history and check for patterns, and email data to your family or physicians.
Available on the App Store® or Google Play
Only available in the United States. Not supported in other countries.
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Lifesource Extra Large Cuff Arm Blood Pressure Monitor
Marketed as a professional-grade arm blood pressure monitor, the LifeSource by A& D Medical has clinical validation for accuracy. UA-789AC meets requirements for the ANSI/AAMI SP-10, a standard that establishes safety and performance requirements for all sphygmomanometers. Even so, the fit and position of the cuff will still affect the accuracy of the readings, similar to other BP monitors.
Pros:
Cons:
- Can only store and recall the last 60 readings
LifeSource UA-789AC arm blood pressure monitor has an extra-large cuff that fits upper arms that is 16.5 inches to 23.6 inches in circumference. The cuff also has a tapered design that fits the natural contour of the arm. This is advantageous especially for households with members that vary in body types as the cuffs not only fit a wider range of upper arm sizes but can also follow the shape of the arm, no matter the size. And the better fitting the cuff, the more accurate readings you can get.
Another positive feature is the 2-pump quick inflation feature. With an XL arm cuff, this may sound impossible, but this unit features 2 high-performance motors that allow for the cuff to inflate quickly.