What Should My Blood Pressure Be
Before you decide to keep track of your blood pressure, it’s essential to know the different numbers and what they mean. Blood pressure is presented as two numbers: systolic and diastolic. These two numbers will typically indicate whether or not your blood pressure is at a healthy level. Generally, numbers equal or less than 120 systolic and 80 diastolic are considered normal. As these numbers increase, your risk for problems like heart attack or stroke is increased. Additionally, blood pressures lower than 90/60 warrant seeing your physician or health care provider.
The Omron Upper Arm Gold Monitor Gives Quick And Accurate Measurements
Ashleigh is the editorial director for commerce at Verywell where she oversees health, fitness, family, and mind content. She has covered the health and wellness space through a variety of lifestyle lenses for more than 10 years. She is also a certified barre instructor teaching at a boutique studio.
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Verywell Health / Nick Kova
Blood pressure monitors are an excellent at-home solution for staying on top of your health, especially if you have an underlying condition that requires regular blood pressure readings. We found that the best monitors offer accurate readings, are easy to use, and aren’t complicated to fit around your arm.
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: $79
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
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Best Budget: Omron 3 Series Upper Arm Blood Pressure Monitor
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Cuff fits easily and comfortably onto arm
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No carrying case included
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Only stores 14 readings at a time
For users who want to regularly check their blood pressure without additional bells and whistles, this blood pressure monitor checked all of the necessary boxes while staying in an affordable price range. Its one-step setup allows users to quickly assemble and test the device right out of the box, and shares results with large, easy-to-read letters. The cuff is comfortable and easy to put on, and the box provides illustrated instructions on how to properly fit the cuff around your arm.
Because it isnt a very elaborate device, you dont get a lot of data storage the machine only holds 14 readings, so if you need to regularly monitor your blood pressure, this probably isnt the device for you. Because of this shortcoming, we gave this device a 3.5 out of five in terms of data display.
If youre just looking to check your blood pressure at home from time to time and still want a quality device without a high price tag, the Omron 3 Series is a great budget-friendly pick. While it received a perfect score in setup, fit, and ease of use, its 3.5 scores for data display and portability ultimately brought down its overall score to a four out of five.
Average Standard Deviations
Price at time of publish: $52
Verywell Health / Nick Kova
Power Source: Batteries | Number of Readings Stored: 14 | Number of Users It Can Store Data For: 1 | Weight: 1.2 lbs
Best Blood Pressure Monitors Of 2022
Blood pressure is a vital metric that can help determine your risk of a variety of health issues. Unfor tunately, the often unnoticeable side effects of high blood pressure make it hard to know when intervention is necessary, which is why this condition is commonly known as the silent killer. An at-home blood pressure monitor can help you keep close tabs on this crucial health metric. By taking your own blood pressure readings regularly and tracking changes over time, youre better equipped to manage your health for the long haul.
To identify the best blood pressure monitors, the Forbes Health editorial team analyzed data on nearly 50 products across the most reputable brands. From price to accuracy to data storage ability to usability, see which blood pressure monitors stand out as our top picks.
Note: Prices are accurate as of the publication date but are subject to change.
When considering buying a blood pressure monitor for home use, look into the following factors.
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How Accurate Are Blood Pressure Monitors For Home Use
Blood pressure monitors are considered accurate, with many doctors recommending them to their patients for home monitoring. Dr. Mysore suggested the following rule of thumb: if the systolic number is in the range of ten points from the reading done in the office, then your machine is deemed accurate.
Many of the doctors we spoke to also recommended patients use validatebp.org, which lists all devices that meet the American Medical Associations Validated Device Listing criteria all of the devices weve recommended here made the cut.
When To See A Doctor
If your readings are in the normal stage, keep up the good work!
If your readings are in the elevated stage, let your doctor know youd like to discuss options, such as lifestyle changes and medication, that may help bring your numbers down.
Consistent readings in the stage 1 or stage 2 high blood pressure categories require medical input. Let your healthcare professional know how many days your readings have been elevated, and what the numbers are. If you have to wait for an appointment, ask your doctor for guidance about lifestyle changes that may help bring those numbers down. These may include reducing salt intake, limiting alcohol, and alleviating stress.
One or more readings in the hypertensive crisis category mean you require immediate care. Call 911 or go to an emergency room right away.
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What’s The Difference Between Wrist
Aside from where they need to be situated to take a reading, wrist- and arm-based blood pressure monitors differ slightly in terms of accuracy. Generally speaking, monitors that take readings from the upper arm tend to be more accurate and consistent.
That’s not to say wrist monitors can’t be reliable too they’re just a bit more finicky to use. There’s a reason why you mostly see arm-based monitors at pharmacies or in doctor’s offices.
Best Home Blood Pressure Monitor
With so many different types of monitors available, it’s essential that you choose the right one for your needs. Blood pressure cuffs that fit around the upper arm generally provide the most accurate reading so you want to make sure you have the right cuff size. Digital monitors make it easier to read and see the numbers. Some models will store these numbers so you can easily refer to them later. There are even wireless monitors that can send data directly to an app on your smartphone.
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How We Tested The Blood Pressure Monitors
The Verywell Health team tested 10 blood pressure monitors at The Verywell Testing Lab to see how they performed amongst a few key attributes, including setup, fit, accuracy, ease of use, data display, portability, and value. We chose these attributes because we believe that they are most aligned with the priorities of someone shopping for a blood pressure. All of the products we tested have been validated by the American Medical Association.
Our five testers, which included three Verywell Health editors and a nurse practitioner, tested 10 blood pressure monitors over the course of eight hours. Following the American Heart Associations guidelines for blood pressure monitor use, we asked our testers to fast for 30 minutes before both the morning and afternoon tests. These are the recommended times to take blood pressure readings, so we scheduled our day accordingly. Additionally, each tester sat with both feet on the ground and fit the cuff around their bare upper arm for every test.
Verywell Health / Nick Kova
Verywell Health / Nick Kova
How Can I Measure My Blood Pressure At Home
Talk with your health care team about regularly measuring your blood pressure at home, also called self-measured blood pressure monitoring.
SMBP means you regularly use a personal blood pressure measurement device away from a doctors office or hospitalusually at home. These blood pressure monitors are easy and safe to use. A health care team member can show you how to use one if you need help.
Evidence shows that people with high blood pressure are more likely to lower their blood pressure if they use SMBP combined with support from their health care team than if they dont use SMBP.3
Use these additional tips for SMBP:4
- Use a blood pressure log to record your blood pressure measurements.
- Take your blood pressure at the same time every day.
- Take at least two readings, 1 or 2 minutes apart.
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What To Look For In A Blood Pressure Monitor
If youre in the market for a blood pressure monitor, there are several factors to take into consideration.
- Usage. Consider how often you need to measure your blood pressure, how many people will use the device, and how detailed you want your readings to be.
- App connectivity. Many devices provide internal storage or connect to an app. Find out if the app requires a monthly subscription fee and if it allows you to send your readings to a healthcare professional.
- Size. Decide which type of blood pressure monitor you want and make sure its the correct size. An upper arm monitor might be more accurate, while a wrist device may provide convenience and additional metrics. If you plan to carry it with you, consider its portability and battery life.
- Reputable brand. Choose a monitor from a reputable brand at a price point thats within your budget. Decide which features you prefer and read customer reviews to get a balanced feel for the pros and cons.
Lifesource: Best Cuff Size Options
Improved accuracy for larger arms
We like the LifeSource extra large cuff because it fits arms that are too big for every other BP monitor on our list . This is great for people with particularly muscular builds because they dont have to settle for less accurate readings from a wrist blood pressure monitor or finger-type blood pressure monitor.
Stores fewer readings than other BPMs
One big miss on this blood pressure monitor is the memory storage. It stores only up to 60 readings, which is average compared to other monitors on the market. While this is acceptable on cheaper devices, its not great on a single-user device that costs over $100.
Ultimately, we think this is an excellent option if you dont fit the average arm circumference of most people.
If you have a slender build with thin arms, check out the LifeSource . The cuff on this BP monitor fits smaller arms .
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How Do You Calibrate A Relion Blood Pressure Cuff
There is no way to calibrate a ReliOn blood pressure cuff from the device itself.
People can check their blood pressure readings on a ReliOn device and another blood pressure monitor to verify the accuracy.
To ensure the reading is accurate, people should follow the manufacturers instructions carefully.
Flaws But Not Dealbreakers
While the 0604 can run on either battery power or with an AC adapter, unless there are working batteries installed, the machines date and time reset every time its unplugged. This doesnt affect the storage capacity on the app or device, but it does add a few extra seconds to testing time, which normally requires just a single click of the start button, and dates can become jumbled if programmed improperly .
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Best Fit: Welch Allyn Home Blood Pressure Monitor 1700 Series With Surebp Technology
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Ready to use out of box
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Connected app is easy to navigate
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No carrying case included
We loved the fit of this monitors cuff, which holds its cylindrical shape at all times and makes it easy to fit properly onto your arm. This makes it great for those with limited mobility and keeps setup quick and fuss-free.
The connected app is another great feature of this device: it stores multiple readings, indicates irregularity in readings, and is easy to connect to quickly. Data taken on the monitor uploads immediately to the app, so you get real-time feedback as you take your measurements.
While the monitor itself is lightweight, it doesnt come with a carrying case which might make it harder to travel with when needed. Because of this aspect, we gave this device a three out of five for portability and a four out of five for overall value.
Average Standard Deviations
Price at time of publish: $65
Verywell Health / Nick Kova
Power Source: Batteries or AC adapter | Maximum Readings Stored on Device: 99 | Number of Users It Can Store Data For: 1 | Weight: 1.2 lbs
Why You Should Trust Us
To learn what makes a reliable home blood pressure monitor, we interviewed three physicians with years of clinical experience in blood pressure management: Daichi Shimbo, a cardiologist at Columbia University Irving Medical Center and a member of the Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation Samuel Mann, an internal medicine specialist at the Weill Cornell Medicine Hypertension Center and Veronica Gillispie-Bell, an obstetrician-gynecologist and the director of quality for womens services at Ochsner Health in Louisiana. We also combed through literature from the American Heart Association, among other medical organizations, and read hundreds of customer reviews.
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Your Readings Exhibit Prejudice
Prejudice for normal readings significantly contributes to inaccuracies in blood pressure measurement. No doubt, youd be suspicious if a fellow EMT reported blood pressures of 120/80 on three patients in a row. As creatures of habit, human beings expect to hear sounds at certain times and when extraneous interference makes a blood pressure difficult to obtain, there is considerable tendency to hear a normal blood pressure.
Orthostatic hypotension is defined as a decrease in systolic blood pressure of 20 mm Hg or more, or diastolic blood pressure decrease of 10 mm Hg or more measured after three minutes of standing quietly.
There are circumstances when BP measurement is simply not possible. For many years, trauma resuscitation guidelines taught that rough estimates of systolic BP could be made by assessing pulses. Presence of a radial pulse was thought to correlate with an SBP of at least 80 mm Hg, a femoral pulse with an SBP of at least 70, and a palpable carotid pulse with an SBP over 60. In recent years, vascular surgery and trauma studies have shown this method to be poorly predictive of actual blood pressure .
Noise is a factor that can also interfere with BP measurement. Many ALS units carry doppler units that measure blood flow with ultrasound waves. Doppler units amplify sound and are useful in high noise environments.
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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Best For An Affordable Option: Relion 1
- Customer reviews: 4.3 out of 5 stars
This monitor is small and reportedly easy to operate. It has a one-button system and a large digital display, which may benefit those who find it difficult to read from small screens.
The kit contains an English and Spanish instruction manual. To use the device, people need to install four AA batteries, apply the arm cuff, and press the power button.
It comes with a 1-year warranty. It is also eligible for purchase with a Flexible Spending Account or a Health Savings Account .
Positive reviews state that the device is easy to use. However, those who left more negative reviews report that while the readings are consistent, they may not be accurate.