Blood Pressure Monitor Options
One of your best defenses against hypertension is blood-pressure reading, and you need the right it Here’s a list of the different types commonly available macies and discount drugstores. Your doctor may also have units to loan out. If you decide to bUy one, though, test drive the new machine alongside your doctor’s to make sure the two are in sync. (It’s also a good idea to recheck your machine with your doctor’s at least once a year to make sure it’s still accurate.You don’t want a new unit that needs to be recalibrated, so before you plunk down cash, check the refund policy.
Mercury Meter.
Commonly used by physicians, it measures pressure with a pool of mercury that rises up a tube as air is pumped into the cuff. Accuracy is exceptional, but because it’s a manual machine, you need some coordination to use itthe hand that pumps air in and out of the cuff must also hold the stethoscope. You could also ask a spouse or friend for help. If you’re on your own, look for units with convenient features, like a stethoscope sewn into the cuff.
Aneroid Unit
This, too, is a manual device, but unlike the mercury monitor, it measures pressure with a spring gauge. Used properly, this liquid-free device can yield measurements close to those obtained with the mercury machine, only it’s less expensive.
Electronic Arm Model.
It costs more than the manual type, but it can do everything except wrap the cuff around your arm. It’s battery operated and comes in semi- and fully-automatic models. Some have microphones built into the cuff and have pressure numbers displayed as vividly as movie credits on a digital screen. Some even inflate the cuffs automatically.