Heart attack and stroke top the WHO list of deadliest diseases in the world. High blood pressure is one of the root causes of these conditions. 1 in 4 people in the world suffers from hypertension. A large population is oblivious of their illness, which makes its prognosis fatal. Managing blood pressure requires timely diagnosis and hands-on management through diet and medication. A lot of people who step up to the occasion and manage their blood pressure responsibly, lead normal lives. One of the first steps to effectively manage your BP is to own a digital BP monitoring device.
Why should you buy a Digital BP Monitor?
Having hypertension means that you need to be vigilant about your blood pressure levels, frequently looking out for fluctuations. Amidst your fast-paced life, you may put off routine BP checks. Such lapses will profoundly affect your prognosis. By owning an automatic BP monitor, you don’t have to go out of your way to manage your blood pressure, as a BP monitor will help you keep track of your BP easily and at your convenience.
Many doctors recommend checking your BP at home as a lot of people tend to be nervous around a doctor, leading to an overestimation of their BP levels. This is known as the “White Coat Syndrome”. In your home setting, you tend to be relaxed, resulting in greater accuracy of readings than in a foreign setting like a clinic.
Checking your BP by yourself also gives you a sense of control and makes you feel motivated to manage it better. Research has found that people with a BP monitor manage their disease better than people who rely on their routine checks with the doctor. The AHA has also recommended using a BP monitoring machine over traditional methods.
Digital Monitors VS Manual Monitors
Manual BP Monitors
Manual BP monitors are traditionally used by doctors and consist of a cuff, rubber squeeze bulb, and a measuring unit. Measuring BP manually is a tedious process and requires a trained clinician for accurate measurements. This translates to frequent doctor visits, which can prove expensive and time-consuming. There are chances of over-estimation of readings in a clinical setup due to the patient’s anxiety. No matter how trained a doctor is, the chances of human error cannot be completely ruled out.
- Complex Operation
- Needs Trained User
- Intimidating Design
- Time-Consuming
- Human Errors
- Basic Features
Digital Monitors
Digital monitors are fully automatic, user friendly, with a one-touch operation. The wide LED screen displays the readings clearly and concisely. The readings provided are usually an average of 3 readings, hence eliminating any chance of error. Digital monitors use advanced IntelliSense technology and have multiple features that are a far cry from the manual BP monitor. Digital monitors come with memory backup of past readings, Indicators for correct body positioning and cuff placement, alerts for irregular heartbeats, Bluetooth connectivity, Android and iOS sync and much more. These devices are compact and portable, keeping you updated on your health status anywhere and anytime.
- Easy Operation
- No Training Needed
- Friendly Design
- Instant Results
- Accurate
- Advanced Features
Types of Digital Monitors
1) Upper Arm BP Monitors: Comes equipped with a cuff and a monitor. The cuff needs to be fastened to the upper arm. The cuff comes in two sizes: Medium and Large. The right cuff size needs to be chosen based on one’s arm circumference. The LED monitor displays the blood pressure readings and pulse.
2) Wrist Mount BP Monitors: Wrist monitors are worn on the wrist. The cuff is one-size-fits-all and needs to be positioned properly for accurate readings. The monitor displays the measurements in a comprehensible manner.
3) Finger Clip BP Monitors: Finger clip monitors are clipped to your fingers and display the readings on its LED screen.
Important considerations while buying a Digital BP Monitor
Cuff size: For an upper arm monitor, the user should choose the correct fit based on their arm circumference. The cuff comes in medium and large sizes. The correct placement of the cuff is important for getting accurate readings.
Cost: Look for the average price range and if the price justifies the features offered by the product. Choosing cheaper products may compromise the quality and hence the reliability of the device.
Warranty: Choose products that offer a warranty of a minimum of one year. The warranty must be clearly stated and you need to be aware of all the terms and conditions.
Ease of Use: All digital monitors come with a one-touch operation, and can be easily handled by people of all ages.
Portability: Your monitor should be concise and light-weight and easy to carry around, whether you’re working or traveling.
Clinical Approval: Since the device performs a vital function, it has to be reliable and approved by experts. You need to cross-check your initial readings with your doctor.
Customer Feedback: It is imperative to choose products with a considerable number of buyers and good user ratings. People who have used the product can be the best critique, giving you a clear idea of the pros and cons.
Memory: The device must be able to record a minimum of 50 past readings and should accommodate the readings of at least two people.
Irregular Heartbeat Detector: Any variations in heartbeat needs to be immediately alerted by your device for prompt action.
Other Features: Digital monitors are fully automatic and come with superlative features like Bluetooth, IOS, and Android connectivity and more. Choose devices that offer the latest features.
