Blood Pressure Monitors

Update:

My insurance company just let me know that I can get  BP monitor through them at no charge. So I thank you all for your recommendations.

 

Can you recommend an easy to use Blood pressure monitor for me to use at home? I need one that is easy to ready, simple, accurate, and that I can use by myself. I don't want anything fancy or hi tech, meaning that don't need to be connected to a smart phone or the internet

 I bought a wrist one that was very inaccurate, I took it with me to 2 different doctors offices and we compared readings and they were very off by different amounts. They said I should get an upper arm one, it would be more accurate. I just wasn't sure how I would be able to get it on my arm with no help...

If anybody has the name of one or a link to buy it, I would appreciate it . Thanks ahead of time .

8 Comments

BP monitors

by AgentX86 - 2023-02-23 15:35:15

Omron seems to be the gorilla in the market.  I've had one of their Bluetooth connected monitors and wasn't happy with the toy part of it but to be fair, I've bought a few others and they aren't any better.

For a very simple monitor, Omron is probably the best choice.  Be careful, prices vary all over the place, for the same machine.  I always compare to Amazon.  Amazon isn't always the cheapest but it's useful to compare apples and apples using Amazon.  The ratings are right there, too.

Omron gets my vote too

by crustyg - 2023-02-23 17:49:36

Our Primary Care practice used to loan them out for a week at a time, but have stopped (why?).  So we purchased one of our own.

As long as you follow the instructions (apply cuff carefully, support the cuff arm before, during and after the BP measurement) and measure BP twice a day, at roughly the same times, you'll get good data and avoid the white-coat hypertension that is so common.

Best wishes.

Omron

by _Claire_ - 2023-02-23 17:59:34

I have an Omron BP monitor too. It's lasted a good 10 years I think so far and still going strong! 

Thanks for your answers

by Gemma777 - 2023-02-24 00:20:22

I see Omron has several different monitors. Which is the simplest one without bells and whistles?

Simplest

by AgentX86 - 2023-02-24 01:18:23

My bet is that their guts are all the same. The shape, screen, and cuff may be a little different.  There is no good reason to design that many from the ground up.  Pick one with decent ratings (many, ignore the stars) and has a shape and screen you like (large display, small case, easy to transport, etc.). Again there may not be any real difference but who knows?

Omron

by Tracey_E - 2023-02-24 07:56:40

You can go with the cheapest cuff type. All omron are good. I've had one of these for years. It's not fancy and doesn't have a bunch of extras, just put on the cuff and push the button to go.

https://omronhealthcare.com/products/3-series-upper-arm-blood-pressure-monitor-bp7100/

battery operated vs plug-in

by Persephone - 2023-02-25 16:47:06

The devices that require batteries to operate and do not say "comes with a power cord" are going to be the cheapest, if you're shopping by price. In my opinion it's better to go for the plug in and spend a little bit more.

BP monitors

by piglet22 - 2023-02-26 07:05:01

Omron are pretty good and my Intellisense version has been going for over 10 years.

I personally would recommend one where you can download data and the model I have is good at detecting arrythmias.

I found this very useful when my PM or my condition started playing up and I was getting nowhere with the cardio physiologists.

When I was able to show the evidence, the BPM and event logs to the GP this got the ball rolling.

I would pay a bit more and get a decent one with external power and clinically approved.

Afterall, it's a vital part of your health monitoring.

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