/

Blood Pressure Equipment

Despite what you may have heard, it is not possible to check your blood pressure at home without any equipment.  It is suggested that, if you can feel your pulse on your left wrist with your right index and middle fingers, then your systolic pressure (the top number in your blood pressure reading) is at least 80 mmHG.  This gives no indication if your systolic pressure is high (120 or greater).  Furthermore, this method provides no information at all about your diastolic pressure (the bottom number in your blood pressure reading).  Apps and regular smartwatches can check your pulse, but are useless for measuring blood pressure.

The good news is that you CAN check your blood pressure at home – the equipment needed is not costly and does not require a prescription!  If your blood pressure is elevated or high, it is important to check your reading regularly and frequently, and not only once or twice a year at your doctor’s office.  You should keep a log of your blood pressure readings in order to track your progress over time.

We recommend Omron® brand blood pressure monitors (https://omronhealthcare.com/blood-pressure/) as the gold standard in home measurement devices.  Omron® is the #1 doctor and pharmacist recommended brand.  The products listed below all qualify for purchase through a Flexible Spending Account (FSA), and come with a 30-day money back guarantee.  Purchase through the links below and register your device for a free additional one-year limited warranty.

Blood Pressure Arm Monitors

Digital monitors have largely replaced the old aneroid monitors that require you to squeeze a bulb to inflate the cuff. They are straightforward to use and show your blood pressure reading on a screen. 

Omron® 7 Series® Wireless Arm Blood Pressure Monitor (https://omronhealthcare.com/products/7-series-wireless-upper-arm-blood-pressure-monitor-bp7350/)

• Stores up to 60 readings each for two users, or connect to the free OMRON Connect app for unlimited tracking
• Dual display monitor shows your last reading right next to your current reading
• Advanced Accuracy Technology measures five times more data points for consistent, precise blood pressure readings less affected by any breathing or movements during measurement
• Alerts you if an irregular heartbeat is detected

Blood Pressure Wrist Monitors

These monitors are a little more difficult to use, and might be less accurate than one that utilizes an upper-arm cuff. That is because they require you to take the reading with your arm at the level of your heart. However, they might be a good option if your upper arm is too big or the blood pressure cuff hurts you.

Omron® 7 Series® Wireless Wrist Blood Pressure Monitor (https://omronhealthcare.com/products/7-series-wireless-wrist-blood-pressure-monitor-bp6350/)

• Stores up to 90 readings for one user, or connect to the free OMRON Connect app for unlimited tracking
• Heart Zone Guidance helps guide your write to heart level for accurate measurement
• Cuff Wrap Guide alerts you if the cuff is wrapped too loosely on your wrist
• Advanced Averaging feature automatically averages up to your last three readings taken within a ten-minute timeframe, for a more accurate picture of your heart’s health
• Detect irregular heartbeat and notifies you of body movement that might invalidate a reading

Blood Pressure Watch

New and never before available, Omron® has introduced the first wearable blood pressure monitor.  Winner of multiple awards, including Time magazine Best Inventions 2019 and Popular Science Best of What’s New 2019, Health Category.

Omron® HeartGuide™ (https://omronhealthcare.com/products/heartguide-wearable-blood-pressure-monitor-bp8000m/)

• Clinically accurate blood pressure readings
• Monitor blood pressure, activity and sleep quality
• Get daily actionable insights based on your personalized data
• Can also function as a smartwatch, alerting you to calls, text or emails received on your smartphone

Blood Pressure Monitor Shopping Tips

• Ensure it fits you well: An arm cuff that is not the right size can impact your readings. Your healthcare provider can tell you the size that you need.
• Consider the features: Do you need a monitor with a large display? Do you want a piece of equipment that stores information for multiple users? Do you need multiple cuffs? These features differ in different models.
• Ease of use: You might find it simpler to use and read some monitors than others.
• Budget: Avoid the temptation to save a few dollars by buying a cheap or unknown brand – high blood pressure is a very serious health risk!

How to Take Your Blood Pressure at Home with a Digital Arm Monitor

• Do not smoke, drink or exercise within 30 minutes before taking your reading. Also, empty your bladder before testing.
• Ensure you have the correct cuff size – you should be able to easily slip your finger between your arm and the cuff when it is deflated.
• The cuff should always be on bare skin, not over clothes.
• Sit comfortably, back straight and feet flat on the floor. Stay in this position and relax for a few minutes before starting.
• Take two blood pressure readings each time, to ensure accuracy. If the readings are very different from each other, take a third reading because there may have been a problem with one of the first two.
• Take your blood pressure at different times, not always at the same time each day.

Blood Pressure Daily Variation

When checking your blood pressure at home, it is important to understand how the time of day can affect your readings.  Blood pressure is usually lowest at night, while you are asleep.  It begins to rise a few hours before you wake, continues rising throughout the day and peaks in mid-afternoon.  After the peak it begins to drop again throughout the remainder of the afternoon and into the evening.

If your blood pressure readings consistently do not follow this pattern (for example, if your highest reading is early in the morning), be sure to notify your doctor.  Such abnormal patterns can be caused by working the night shift, using tobacco products, stress/anxiety, or taking a blood pressure medication that doesn’t last a full 24 hours.

White Coat Syndrome

A final reason to check your blood pressure at home is to avoid “White Coat Syndrome.”  What is White Coat Syndrome?  For some people, anxiety about hospital visits or doctor’s offices artificially raises their blood pressure due to the accompanying stress.  It may be more common than you think – a study in the medical journal Hypertension estimated that 15 to 30 percent of patients are affected by this condition.

If your blood pressure is only checked by your doctor, you may never know if your high readings actually indicate high blood pressure, or if your pressure is normal and White Coat Syndrome is to blame.  So, get yourself a monitor for a very modest cost and begin a regular testing program at home to avoid serious health problems down the road.