How to choose a tonometer for home use

If you feel worse, one of the easiest ways to monitor your health at home is to measure blood pressure. In people whose blood pressure indicators are unstable, the measuring device must be present in the house without fail, but one should not think that this does not apply to others. Pressure surges occur even in a person whose health has no problems, and if timely measures are not taken, serious complications can arise.

Who needs a tonometer?

For those who want to independently control blood pressure values, the tonometer is an indispensable device. A device intended for home use allows you to:

1. Prevent unexpected fluctuations in values, for example, from excitement before a doctor's appointment.
2. Observe the effectiveness of drug therapy using medications prescribed by a doctor for problems with blood pressure.
3. Monitor the values ​​of athletes, as well as people who carefully monitor their own health.

What is a mechanical tonometer and how to use it?

This type of pressure measuring device consists of a cuff, a pressure gauge and a heating pump.

The use of a mechanical device requires some skills. It is preferable that this type of device is used by a healthcare provider. But if you know some rules, then operating it is not so difficult. Each person can measure the pressure with a mechanical blood pressure monitor at home, both to himself and his family.

Using the device involves the following steps:

1. Cuff fixation between shoulder and elbow.
2. Filling the cuff with air using a pump.
3. Pinch the filled cuff of the artery, because of which the blood flow in the latter stops for a while.
4. Installing the head of the phonendoscope in place of the artery, located as close to the surface of the skin.
5. The gradual release of air, resulting in the opening of the artery and the resumption of blood flow.
6. At this time, with the help of a phonendoscope, characteristic pulse beats are heard. The figure on the pressure gauge corresponding to the first shock is the value of the upper pressure, and the last shock is the lower one.

In order to correctly recognize pulse beats with the help of a phonendoscope, you need to have good hearing. In addition, it is necessary that there is no extraneous noise. And in order to fix the data obtained during the measurement in time, the person conducting the procedure must have excellent eyesight and a quick reaction.

When measuring blood pressure, it is necessary to follow some recommendations so that the result is as reliable as possible: in order for a person to remain in a calm state, one should refrain from talking and moving during the procedure.

Blood pressure monitor

This type of measuring instruments is much more convenient in operation, they can be automatic or semi-automatic. When using the latter option, it is necessary to apply a certain force required to pump air into the cuff. If the device is fully automatic, only the press of a button is required, and the received numbers will be reflected on the screen. Automatic devices are designed to measure blood pressure on the forearm or wrist.

An electronic pressure measuring device is an excellent option when there is no one to help.Thanks to him, you can take a pressure measurement yourself.

Some are of the opinion that mechanical devices are more reliable, but it should be remembered that automation is more practical, especially for older people.

What you should pay attention to when acquiring a tonometer

The range of instruments for measuring pressure is quite wide. To avoid making a mistake when buying, you must consider the following points:

1. Accuracy. The most important parameter that a tonometer should have is the provision of accurate data. Since false values ​​can cause extremely undesirable consequences. The measurement error can be no more than three mmHg, when it comes to pressure, and no more than five pulsating strokes. To verify the accuracy of the device, you must ask for a certificate upon purchase, and in the future annually take it for verification.
2. The speed at which data is received. This point is especially important when a person is in a condition in which there may be an urgent need for medication. In this situation, mechanical devices are significantly inferior to automation. Using the last digit, you can get it after a few seconds.
3. The weight of the device. People who suffer from high blood pressure should always have a device at hand to measure this indicator. For this reason, light weight and ease of transportation are very important parameters.
4. The cost of the device. Here, everyone himself determines his financial capabilities. Mechanical blood pressure monitors are cheaper than the electronic version.
5. The ability to recharge the device from the network. A battery-operated tonometer is able to fail at the most inconvenient moment.
6. Convenience in operation. This parameter is especially important for people who do not have the experience of independent pressure measurement. Since while a person inflates the cuff with air, an increase in pressure occurs by itself. When using automatic blood pressure monitors, you just need to fix the cuff correctly, and then press the button.
7. Convenience cuff. It is possible to use a tonometer comfortably only if during the procedure there will be no unpleasant and painful sensations.
8. Large display with clearly visible numbers. This is especially true for the elderly, as well as people with poor eyesight.
9. Memory. If a person suffers from chronic diseases, then it will be possible for him to record data that were obtained earlier.

There are also models of measuring instruments equipped with additional functions:

1. The ability to register the date and time of the measurements.
2. Interpretation of the results in the form of a graph. The device selects the previously measured values ​​and displays them as a curve on the graph. This function allows you to visually evaluate indicators.
3. The presence of the MAM function. This means that the device can determine the averages. This helps to increase the efficiency of measurements in the diagnosis of hypertension.
4. The presence of a function that allows you to determine cardiac arrhythmia.
5. Diagnosis according to the WHO scale. This function allows you to compare the measured values ​​with this scale, and if they deviate from the normal level, the device gives a signal that it is time to visit a doctor.
6. Intellisense Function Modern technology allows the device to work like a real doctor. He gropes for a pulse, provides protection against excessive accumulation of air in the cuff, which eliminates pain when squeezing. Pressure measurement is carried out even at the stage of air injection, this contributes to a more rapid obtaining of results.
7. Alert timer. Thanks to this feature, a person will be able to receive reminders that it is necessary to measure the pressure and drink the medicine.

Popular firms and models

Below are the most famous brands and models of appliances for home use.

1. Omron A manufacturer from Japan who creates high-quality electronic devices. The production of pressure measuring devices is not the only direction of the company, however, it has been given a lot of time and effort, as well as scientific research. The most popular model is OMRON M6. This device has high accuracy and is equipped with a function with which you can detect arrhythmia. The price of such measuring instruments is usually higher, which is the case for models from other manufacturers with similar parameters.
2. Microlife Swiss company that creates medical equipment, as well as devices for home use. It differs from Microlife considered above in that the creation of pressure measuring instruments is the main direction of the manufacturer. The most popular device of this brand is the model Microlife BP 3AC1-1. Such an apparatus is of high quality; it is convenient to use at home. Due to modern technologies, it became possible to determine the necessary indicators with maximum reliability. This device is practical, durable, and its price is lower than that of its competitor from Japan.
3. A&D Medical. This company, which is headquartered in the USA, has also become quite popular thanks to the production of high-quality home pressure measuring devices. The brand received a large number of awards for developing and creating medical electronic devices for independent use. In addition to tonometers, the range of products presented by this company includes scales, stethoscopes, electronic thermometers and other medical devices for use at home or in medical institutions.

Where to buy a high-quality tonometer?

On the pharmacy shelves there is a not very wide range of measuring devices, but here you can see them live.

In online stores there is always a large selection of tonometers of various types, functionality and price categories. However, they will have to study their work after the purchase. But a significant advantage of acquiring a tonometer in an online store is the price of the device, which is usually much lower here than that of analogues in the pharmacy.

Some use the device according to the testimony of a doctor, others for self-diagnosis. Be that as it may, it is necessary to take into account every nuance, so as not to make a mistake in choosing a tonometer.

Video: how to choose a tonometer