10 tips on choosing a tonometer

Who is the best tonometer manufacturer?
We vote!

Omron

B.Well

A & D

Little doctor

Beurer

Microlife

CS Medica

Other

Total voted: 17

Vote results

Pharmacies sell three types of blood pressure monitors. Which one you decide to choose depends on the budget allocated for the purchase and your goals.

1. Mechanical. Structurally include a cuff, rubber bulb, pressure gauge and phonendoscope to listen to the pulse. It is difficult to use them - you need to have to handle the device. It is extremely inconvenient to measure pressure on your own, therefore, mechanical tonometers are used mainly in medical institutions. The advantages of the device are high accuracy of the indicators while observing the measurement rules, the most affordable cost. Doctors say that mechanical devices give the smallest error when exposed to undesirable factors - a conversation in the process of measuring, involuntary movements.
2. Semi-automatic. From the first type are distinguished by the presence of an electronic display that replaces the pressure gauge. The rest of the design is the same as that of mechanical models. Additionally, there may be a measurement log, backlight. For home, semi-automatic tonometers are more convenient than mechanical models. They also have an affordable price, they can be used independently. Disadvantages - pumping a pear requires an application, albeit small, but effort, with which it can be difficult to cope with a sick elderly person. If you violate the measurement rules, the result will be distorted, so it is recommended to take at least two measurements in a row and take an average value.
3. Automatic. The best option for home use, the elderly, who have to independently monitor the pressure. They work very simply - the user just put on a cuff and press a button. All indicators will be displayed on the electronic display. These are the most functional devices that are often equipped with additional options. They cost more, but have a lot of advantages. They are very easy to use, you can measure pressure in any conditions, you do not need skills.

There are also mercury tonometers, but they are used extremely rarely and only in hospitals and clinics.

Now mainly automatic blood pressure monitors are popular. They are best suited for home use, many of them measure pressure very accurately. Which company to prefer? The following brands have earned the greatest popularity among users.

• OmronA company from Japan "Omron" offers users the most modern models of tonometers. Her equipment is supplied to different countries of the world, trusted by doctors. In Russia, a brand can be considered a leader in the sale of medical products. Their advantages include a large selection of models, compact device sizes, adequate prices.
• CS Helthcare. The company is formed by the cooperation of the two countries (Russia-China), their achievements in the field of production of medical equipment. The brand is distinguished by a variety of models, reasonable prices.
• Little Doctor. An international company headquartered in Singapore. All their products are certified in Russia, they are distinguished by reasonable prices and good quality.
• The Swiss company supplies high quality tonometers. Among them are many models for home use. The peculiarity of the technology of the Swiss company is innovative technologies, three-dimensional measurement of blood pressure values, recognition of atrial fibrillation. All devices are of high quality, but they are quite expensive.

To find the best tonometer for your home, pay attention to the fixing point of the cuff. By this parameter, devices are divided into three types.

1. On the shoulder. The most common type. On sale they appeared the very first and are still popular. In this category there are both mechanical and electronic models. They suit almost everyone and give the most accurate measurement results. The disadvantages can only be attributed to the need to remove clothes, since the hand should not squeeze anything.
2. On the wrist. Convenient to use, but not the most reliable models. They are often chosen by athletes to control pressure during training. Advantages of tonometers worn on the wrist - small size, ease of use, the ability to measure pressure at any time, without removing clothes. Disadvantages - low stability of the results, the likelihood of distortion of the results in case of random movement. Wrist models are often chosen by people with too large bicep volume when using the humeral cuff is not possible.
3. With fixation on the finger. The least common and most expensive devices. It is extremely simple to use them, but there are big doubts about the accuracy of the measurements. In the area of ​​the wrist and finger pressure can be different, due to different distances from the heart. Of the benefits - small size (the tonometer can be simply put in your pocket), the fastest measurement in any place.

If you already know which tonometer is best to choose, do one more thing - before going to the pharmacy, measure the thickness of the arm in the cuff fixing area. It is necessary for the selection of its correct size. Their length can be very different.

• For children, adolescents, miniature women, size S - 18-22 cm will do.
• Standard size (M) - 22-32 cm.
• Large cuffs for athletes and obese people (L) - 32-45 cm.
• For very large people or for obesity, a maximum cuff length of 45–52 cm may be required. Problems with this type of search may arise.

All these dimensions are usually indicated not only in the instructions, but also simply on the box with the product. This selection criterion is very important, since too tight or, on the contrary, free cuff can distort the measurement results. If the device is used by several people of different body size, you can choose a universal size or purchase an additional cuff separately. Please note that the brand of the cuff must be the same manufacturer as the tonometer - this will ensure maximum measurement accuracy.

Sometimes, to choose the best model, it is enough to adhere to general principles. For example, if you buy a blood pressure monitor for a child, you must look at the size of the cuff or purchase it separately. Find the best option possible.For example, in the assortment of the LittleDoctor company there is a special children's tonometer, the kit of which includes three cuffs of different sizes at once - for newborns, babies up to one year old and grown up children.

If the person for whom the tonometer is acquired suffers from a violation of the peripheral circulation or atherosclerosis, he is not recommended to use devices that are worn on the wrist. With established violations of the heart rhythm, it is necessary to give preference to models with an indicator of arrhythmia. They will fix the irregular rhythm and display the corresponding icon on the display. For people with a weak pulse, standard models often give erroneous values. In this case, it is better to choose more expensive, but reliable models with a system of intellectual logic. Nice example – Nissei WS-820. Smart device independently selects the speed of pressure relief, providing the most accurate results.

For the correct measurement of pressure in people with arrhythmia in home use conditions, only modern automatic models are suitable, which are equipped with an irregular pulse recognition function. The rest of the tonometers may produce incorrect values, as extraordinary, irregular heartbeats negatively affect the accuracy of the measurement.

Special sensor arrhythmia monitors the pulse, in those moments when the rhythm is stable, performs additional measurements. When a rhythm disturbance is detected, an icon appears on the display, sometimes a beep sounds. If the tonometer often shows an arrhythmia, this is a serious reason to make a cardiogram and consult a cardiologist.

People with severe hypertension need a systematic measurement of pressure. Typically, cardiologists ask patients to keep a measurement log, recording the results of measurements in the morning and evening hours. The task is greatly simplified by tonometers with a magazine. Some models memorize up to 50 measurements.

If there are several people in the family who need regular observation of pressure, you can choose a model designed for two users. The most easy to use model is OMROM M6 Family. In it, switching from one user to another happens not with buttons, but with a simple lever - even older people can deal with it. More sophisticated and modern devices additionally have a “guest” mode. When enabled, data is not saved.

If you choose a tonometer for an elderly person, you know that he has poor eyesight, pay attention to such parameters as light and display. It is desirable that the numbers were large and well readable. The backlight is used to measure blood pressure in dim light - for example, in the late evening with a night light.

Why do we need an indication? Even smart modern devices require adherence to measurement rules to provide accurate readings. The display helps to control the immobility of the hand, the correct position of the cuff. Special sensors detect violations, display a message about the need to re-measure.

All electronic models are battery powered. This is convenient if you need to take the device with you to travel, to work. But if daily pressure measurement at home is required, frequent battery replacement will grow into a separate expense item.

That is why it is recommended to look closely at the models that come with a network adapter. It simply connects to the device to ensure operation from the electrical network.Pensioners, who are almost always at home, it completely eliminates the need to purchase batteries.

To give preference to well-known manufacturers is even because they give a guarantee on their products. Electronic tonometers are sensitive devices, therefore factory marriages cannot be completely excluded. If you purchased the device at a pharmacy, the pharmacist filled out a warranty form for you, if you have problems or suspected incorrect operation, you can take the device back to the pharmacy for a year or two to send it in for repair or replace it with a new tonometer if it detects a factory defect.

As for the cost, the cheapest models are mechanical models. Their price starts from 500 rubles. Standard electronic tonometers are more expensive, but for 2,000 rubles it is quite possible to purchase a good and fairly high-quality option.