Help blood pressure monitor

[Gardener]

Sorry if this isn't the right place to start this thread.

For many years I had a blood pressure monitor I purchased when one of the kids seemed to have high blood pressure.
Recently, one of my adult children borrowed the monitor, and when he took it to his doctor's appointment to verify its reading, it was reading much higher than the doctor's office was reading.
So I thought I would buy a new, more accurate blood pressure monitor. I'm willing to pay more for a good monitor, but every machine I look at, at least some of the reviews complain about it being inaccurate.

Does anyone have a suggestion for a blood pressure monitor that is accurate?

Thank you.

 

[greysage]

Same question here. Looked a few times. Almost ordered a couple times. But in the end wasn't sure of the quality or accuracy.
Saw one that looked good, went back to buy half an hour later, and it was currently unavailable. Looked for it the next day and it wasn't even listed.

 

[FireDance]

You know, I might ask my pharmacist this question.

Personally, I have never seen a “home model” that was accurate like you’d want it to be, but then I have not used all either.

I’d attempt to find an accurate one, calibrate against docs and write down what the difference is. That way you know what you’re looking at. Get a notebook, date/time it and take it every day until you can see what it’s doing. And you know, the doctor’s machine could be off too.

 

[bluelady]

I think the most accurate would be the manual ones like doctors use; I have a home one that was my mom's but need to learn how to use it. I have this one that I got from our local pharmacy (private,excellent pharmacist). Seems to work fine.

Omron 5 Series Wireless Upper Arm Blood Pressure Monitor https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07RXL4ZPS/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_glt_i_MQDPWAB9ZN94KBNM7J4P

 

[9idrr]

Mine was given me by the VA and it's from A & D Medical. How can I trust it when the left arm reads 125/100, I put it on the right arm and the reading is 150/99? It gets all messed up if I sneeze, yawn or fart while it's inflating or reading.

 

[Ogre]

I have an older model of the Omicron monitor which is evidently no longer available. Very satisfied, Doc checked it for accuracy comparing it to his readings and said it was accurate. Current replacement is https://www.amazon.com/Platinum-Pre...dc9&pd_rd_wg=PdnCu&psc=1&ref_=pd_bap_d_rp_1_i but it is also for two users so may be more than you need. Whatever you get, have your doc check it for accuracy.

 

[Hfcomms]

Get a stethoscope and a constrictor cuff with a meter and do it the old fashioned way by doing it yourself. It isn't that hard to hear the Systolic as the first sound as the cuff deflates and the Diastolic as the last sound as the cuff goes down all the way.

 

[Broken Arrow]

My doc said to me to stay away from the wrist models. Said they were totally useless for accurate readings.

I just use the old fashioned kind.

 

[bluelady]

Mine was given me by the VA and it's from A & D Medical. How can I trust it when the left arm reads 125/100, I put it on the right arm and the reading is 150/99? It gets all messed up if I sneeze, yawn or fart while it's inflating or reading.

Movement and position affect the reading; that's why they tell you to sit still, legs not crossed, don't talk. You need to always take it in the same position for accurate comparison. Readings in left and right arms are often slightly different; if they are repeatedly very different it could be an artery problem that needs to be checked out by a doctor.

 

[9idrr]

Thanks for the advice. Goin' back to the VA in a couple of months and will let 'em know, but I still don't have much faith in this particular machine.

 

[Ogre]

I don't mean this to be disrespectful of what other posters have said. But my primary care doctor always took my BP himself, even though the RN or assistant had taken it a few minutes before. Without asking he told me that it was because he wanted to be sure it was an accurate reading. I think it takes a lot of practice to do it correctly. He also took it with me sitting down and then standing up. He said if it didn't vary more than 5 points he was happy.

 

[packyderms_wife]

I don't mean this to be disrespectful of what other posters have said. But my primary care doctor always took my BP himself, even though the RN or assistant had taken it a few minutes before. Without asking he told me that it was because he wanted to be sure it was an accurate reading. I think it takes a lot of practice to do it correctly. He also took it with me sitting down and then standing up. He said if it didn't vary more than 5 points he was happy.

You've also had time to rest a bit and thus your BP has calmed down from the time the nurse took the reading. My doctor does the same exact thing.

 

[Cyclonemom]

I think the most accurate would be the manual ones like doctors use; I have a home one that was my mom's but need to learn how to use it. I have this one that I got from our local pharmacy (private,excellent pharmacist). Seems to work fine.

Omron 5 Series Wireless Upper Arm Blood Pressure Monitor https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07RXL4ZPS/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_glt_i_MQDPWAB9ZN94KBNM7J4P

This is what my mom uses also. Has had it verified in Dr office twice in the last year or so (once when she got it, and he said to bring it in annually to verify accuracy, which she did not long ago).

It's simple for her to use. And she tracks her numbers on a log to give to the doc.

 

[Gardener]

Aneroid Sphygmomanometer


This is what I finally ordered. Now I need to learn how to use it, but I think I can manage that.