The MayoClinic.com says that anyone who suffers from hypertension, or high blood pressure, should be measuring it at home with a blood pressure machine. The easiest to use digital blood pressure, or BP, machines, are all inclusive; no messy mercury, stethoscopes or white coat syndrome at home. Verify the accuracy of any BP machine purchased with a trip to the doctor's office for a comparison of BP readouts on the doctor's and your store-bought machine.
A & D
The A & D Company produces several types of digital home BP devices, including the clinically validated models UA 631, 705, 767, 774, 778, 787 and 853. The term clinically validated refers to a series of scientifically backed tests that check the accuracy of the machines. Efficacy results for these devices are gathered by the dabl Educational Trust and The British Hypertension Society. Ranging from $40 to $75, the A & D blood pressure machines can interface with a home computer.
Omron
Omron is another clinically validated producer of home digital BP machines. Many Omron models, including the 746C and HEM773, are advised for accurate home use of recording blood pressures and range from $75 to $107. Some of the Omron models have an easy-to-apply cuff for those with dexterity problems, and they have large digital displays.
Microlife
According to Blood-pressure-monitoring.org and backed by the British Hypertension Society, Microlife brand home BP machines are guaranteed accurate within 5 mm Hg, or millimeters of mercury, of the doctor's reading. According to the dabl Educational Trust, 16 types of Microlife BP monitors are validated for clinical accuracy. Ranging from $70 to $100, Microlife machines have large digital displays and are easy to use.
References
- MayoClinic.com: Hypertension---Getting the Most Out of Home Blood Pressure Monitoring
- dabl Educational Trust: Upper Arm Devices for Self Management of Blood Pressure
- Consumersearch.com: Blood Pressure Monitors Reviews
- Blood-pressure-monitoring.org: Blood Pressure Monitors-Which Type of Machine is Recommended for Use at Home
- Davidgregory.org: Blood Pressure Monitors Approved by the British Hypertension Society--Omron, A and D, Microlife
