High blood pressure, or hypertension, is a serious condition that can cause heart attack and stroke. Blood pressure is measured with a machine that's made up of a cuff and a gauge. Blood pressure machines in the doctor's office and at home can provide accurate readings to guide medication requirements and lifestyle choices, keeping blood pressure levels at healthy measurements.
Readings
Blood pressure readings are highest the first thing in the morning. The most accurate readings are taken about an hour after waking, before exercising. Doctors at the Mayo Clinic advise patients with high blood pressure to take a reading twice a day at the same times each day. Patients should relax and sit quietly for five or 10 minutes before taking the reading and should have an empty bladder. The National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute reports that normal blood pressure readings are those that fall between 115 and 120 over 75 to 80. The top number measures pressure in the arteries every time the heart beats; the bottom number records the pressure between heartbeats. A blood pressure level of 140 over 90 is high.
Home Monitors
The Mayo Clinic recommends home blood pressure monitoring for anyone with high blood pressure. Because home blood pressure machines are widely available online and in most drug stores and medical supply houses without a prescription, they are effective tools for maintaining proper pressure levels. Blood pressure machines can be easy to use and are available in digital and manual styles for home use. Arm cuffs are the most accurate, and should fit securely over the upper arm to get a correct reading.
Features
Blood pressure machines come with a variety of features that should be considered before purchase. The Mayo Clinic reports that proper cuff size is the most important aspect of a blood pressure machine because an inaccurate reading can occur if it's too tight or too loose. Many machines come with a variety of cuff sizes, or a doctor can provide patients with the correct size information. Commercially sold blood pressure machines must be validated. Patients should bring their machines into their doctor's office annually to ensure the home and office monitors are calibrated.
Public Machines
Public machines placed in pharmacies and grocery stores are typically free and used by many people, so they might not be properly maintained. The Mayo Clinic recommends avoiding publicly placed blood pressure machines because they can produce false readings. The cuffs may not be the right size as well, resulting in a wrong reading.
Options
Although the blood pressure monitors that utilize a cuff to take readings are the most accurate, there are options for people who have trouble using a cuff. The readings of wrist and finger monitors can't be relied on, although they can provide a general measurement of current blood pressure activity. Wrist blood pressure monitors strap easily around the wrist and are best used for travel because they're convenient and portable. Finger monitors are the least accurate and most expensive; these are very sensitive to temperature and position, reports the American Academy of Family Physicians.
