What is a tonometer? How to choose a tonometer: tips and reviews of doctors

The tonometer is an indispensable tool for people suffering from hypertension. They also use it for the timely diagnosis of blood pressure differences, especially during pregnancy. A tonometer is also used in pediatrics. Therefore, the presence of such an apparatus will not be superfluous in a home medicine cabinet. From our article you will learn what types of blood pressure monitors exist and how to be guided when choosing a device.

Types of blood pressure monitors

Tonometers are classified by the method of pumping air and processing information. There are the following types:

1. Mechanical. They are divided into 2 subspecies: mercury tonometer and aneroid.
2. Semi-automatic electronic.
3. Automatic devices.

Shoulder tonometers, bracelets and rings are also distinguished.

In addition, devices for pregnant women and a tonometer for children can be placed in separate categories. In principle, blood pressure can be measured for these groups of patients by any other tonometers, but some device manufacturers paid special attention to the needs of these categories of people and developed models that have additional functions for more effective and comfortable use of the tonometer by future mothers and babies.

In more detail about the advantages and disadvantages of each type of tonometer we will describe below.

Additional functions of individual tonometer models

A blood pressure monitor is a device for measuring blood pressure, but additional built-in functions help determine arrhythmia, heart rate, and average pressure readings. Typically, such amenities have modern electronic models of devices. Each additional function of the device is reflected in the increase in its cost. When buying, pay attention to the presence of such features of the device and their necessity in your case. The following built-in functions are available:

1. Automatically shutting down the device after a specified downtime will help you save battery or battery power.
2. There are devices with built-in memory. They remember the data of previous measurements, which will help to build a graph of indicators and monitor changes in blood pressure. Some models can record the date and time of use of the device, as well as remember the measurement data of several patients. Such functions, for example, are provided by the AND 777 tonometer.
3. Many electronic blood pressure monitors can measure the pulse, some are equipped with an arrhythmia indicator. If the device recorded a rapid heartbeat, then repeated measurements of blood pressure are carried out, since arrhythmia affects the performance.
4. People with low vision will benefit from a tonometer with voice playback of measurement results.
5. Some models are equipped with the function of transferring data to portable devices: computer, laptop, tablet, phone.
6. There are so-called "smart" tonometers. They independently turn on and off, measure the pressure of a person after a given period of time, evaluate the results, keep a schedule.

How to choose a tonometer?

When choosing a tonometer, you must first answer several questions:

1. Purpose, frequency and duration of use of the device. The choice of the tonometer type depends on the answers to the question posed: mechanical, semi-automatic or automatic, the need for battery operation or the presence of a network adapter, the weight of the device, the presence of additional functions.
2. The age of the patient. For example, tonometers-rings and mechanical devices without a digital display are not suitable for older people.
3. The state of hearing and sight of the subject. You may need to purchase a device with voice playback of results or a convenient wide screen.
4. Price category.
5. Manufacturer Brand Rating.

And one more important detail: you should choose a tonometer with a cuff, suitable in size.

Standard Sizes of Tonometer Shoulder Cuffs

An important factor when choosing a tonometer is the availability of a suitable cuff for the shoulder. An incorrect size will lead to the inability to measure blood pressure or to distort the results. Cuffs are available in the following sizes:

1. Size S - 18–22 cm.
2. Size M - 22–32 cm.
3. Size L - 32–45 cm.
4. Pediatric cuffs.

Mechanical blood pressure monitor

Mechanical aneroid blood pressure monitor is the most common type of device for measuring blood pressure in medical institutions. It consists of a shoulder cuff, a stethoscope or a phonendoscope to listen to heart sounds and a pear that pumps air. Depending on the model, the case of the device can be metal or plastic. The size of the shoulder cuff is standard - 22–32 cm. Some mechanical blood pressure monitors can measure blood pressure on both hands. Pressure relief regulators can be in the form of a screw or a button.

In addition, a mechanical pressure measuring device does not need batteries or battery charging. The price attracts consumers: of all types of tonometers, mechanical devices are the cheapest. Their average cost is 1,500 rubles.

Medical workers trust the readings of tonometers of this type, considering them the most accurate and effective. However, for the results to be reliable, it is necessary to use the device correctly, which is extremely difficult for non-professionals at home. Most often, difficulties arise when listening to heart tones, it is especially difficult to perform the procedure for elderly people with hearing impairment.

The disadvantages include the fact that the results of blood pressure measurements when measured with a mechanical tonometer are greatly influenced by extraneous factors, for example, a cup of coffee drunk immediately before the procedure, the patient’s uncomfortable position, anxiety, pregnancy, and many others. In a clinic, doctors take into account known factors when measuring pressure. But at home, to carry out such a task without error is quite difficult.

Mercury mechanical blood pressure monitor

This type of device differs from a mechanical aneroid by the presence of a mercury measurement scale. A mercury tonometer is rarely used today, as it is dangerous to use, especially at home.

Reviews of mechanical blood pressure monitors

As mentioned above, a mechanical device attracts consumers at an affordable price. But it has a number of disadvantages and certain difficulties in using such a tonometer. Doctors' reviews indicate the following disadvantages of using such devices:

1. It’s quite difficult for me to measure pressure with such tonometers, since all the work needs to be done mechanically. In addition, it is only necessary to inflate and bleed air in a certain way, without rushing, which is not always the case with independent use of the device.
2. A tough pear is not always easy to compress sufficiently to elderly or debilitated patients.
3. Measurements must be carried out in complete silence, as noise can distort the results.
4. For measurement, the exact entry of the phonendoscope membrane onto the artery is necessary.

Semi-automatic blood pressure monitor

Semi-automatic blood pressure monitors require mechanical air pressure, but they listen to heart sounds and display the measurement results on an electronic screen. Such devices are produced for measuring blood pressure on the shoulder, wrist and finger. It can be noted that a semi-automatic device with a cuff on the shoulder is a good tonometer. Reviews about such devices are mostly positive. They have high measurement accuracy, are convenient and easy to use. Some models are equipped with additional features. The semi-automatic apparatus for measuring pressure is characterized by high quality and long life. Its price is about 3000 rubles.

Automatic device

In modern society, we often prefer electronic gadgets. But, acquiring a tonometer, this rule is worth breaking. Reviews of doctors and consumers indicate the inaccuracy of the measurement results of such devices and a short service life. Electronics quickly fails, frequent battery replacement or battery charging is required. In addition, according to consumers, automatic tonometers are overpriced. The price of a shoulder electronic pressure measuring device is 5000–7000 rubles. Electronic devices in the form of a wrist bracelet or ring are much cheaper, but the accuracy of such devices is not credible.

Possess automatic tonometers and advantages:

1. The device does all the work itself: pumps and releases air, processes the indicators, displays the results in a digital format.
2. The device is convenient to use while traveling.
3. Measurements can be carried out in any conditions, since extraneous noise and other external factors do not affect the tonometer.
4. Such a tonometer has high accuracy of results. Testimonials indicate errors in indicators of 3-5 mm RT. Art.

Measurement of pressure during pregnancy

Tonometers for pregnant women became a novelty in the market of instruments for measuring pressure. These are automatic or semi-automatic devices. By the principle of use, they are no different from other types of devices. But when measuring pressure during pregnancy with other types of devices, there is a high probability of deviation of measurement indicators up to 50 ml of mercury. Art., which is a high level of error. A feature of tonometers for pregnant women is the ability to diagnose in the early stages a woman's tendency to preeclampsia. In addition, such a device takes into account the characteristics of the woman’s body during the bearing of the child and minimizes possible errors in the results of the indicators.

Microlife devices have such properties. These tonometers are highly accurate and reliable. The model of the tonometer "Microlife BP 3VTO-A (2)" passed clinical trials. This device is an automatic blood pressure monitor with a shoulder cuff. In addition to blood pressure, the device determines the heart rate and predisposition to preeclampsia. There is an arrhythmia indicator and a measurement memory function. The set comes with 2 sizes of cuffs: M and L. The advantage of this tonometer model is also the ability to work both from batteries and from a network adapter. The manufacturer claims high accuracy of the results: the error is 3 mm RT. Art.

Baby tonometers

In children, the pressure is normally lower than in adults. But this does not mean that crumbs need some special instruments for measuring indicators. Any tonometers are suitable. The problem is not in the features of blood pressure in children, but in the volume of the arm. The fact is that adult sizes of cuffs are completely unsuitable for a small pen, and, accordingly, measuring blood pressure in crumbs is not possible. Given these features, tonometer manufacturers began to equip standard device models with additional pediatric cuffs. The sizes and types of them are as follows:

• neonatal cuff - 5-7.5 cm;
• infant cuff - 8–13 cm;
• children's - 14–20 cm.

If you plan to measure the pressure of the child, be sure to clarify the fact of the presence of the required cuff size in the configuration for the tonometer. Such devices are produced under the brand name "Omron", "Babyphone", "Little Doctor". In addition to the presence of pediatric cuffs in the kit, a children's blood pressure monitor produce bright colors and unusual funny shapes, which turns the medical procedure into a fun game.

However, according to the principle of action, any children's blood pressure monitors are standard mechanical or electronic devices. The presence of pediatric cuffs and an unusual shape significantly increase the cost of the device. So, a conventional mechanical device will cost no less than 1,500 rubles.

Reviews of tonometers brand "Microlife"

Microlife devices are blood pressure monitors developed in Switzerland. This manufacturer was the first to mass-produce pressure measuring devices that do not contain mercury. The main activity of the brand is the development of tonometers for home use. Customer reviews indicate the high accuracy of the measurement results and the durability of the operational period of devices of this brand. In the Microlife series of equipment there are all types of tonometers: mechanical, semi-automatic and electronic. Cost varies depending on the type and built-in functions of the pressure measuring device. The price of Microlife tonometers is 400–600 rubles. (mechanical device) and 2500-5000 rubles. (electronic device).

Reviews of the tonometer AND 777

The AND 777 automatic blood pressure monitor is popular on the market. According to customer reviews, such a device has several advantages:

1. Simple, comfortable use. Bright large numbers of indicators on the electronic display.
2. Determines heart rate.
3. There is an indicator of arrhythmia.
4. A convenient color scale for interpreting results is built in. If the device shows green, pressure is within normal limits, yellow indicates small deviations, red indicates an immediate medical attention.
5. It has an additional memory function for 90 measurements.
6. Intelligent control system determines the required level of inflation of the cuff.
7. Powered by batteries or AC adapter.
8. There is a sleep timer.

As for price indicators, for example, UB tonometers from the AND series of devices cost about 4,500 rubles.

Automatic blood pressure monitors brand Beurer

Automatic pressure measuring devices of the Boyrer brand have some features. The undoubted advantage is the presence in all models of automatic devices of this brand of the intelligent control system "Real Fuzzy Logic", which controls the level of air injection. In addition, all electronic models have 2 memory blocks - from 30 to 60 measurements in each. It also has other advantages of a Beurer tonometer:

• built-in arrhythmia indicator;
• determines the pulse;
• color scale for the interpretation of measurement results;
• runs on batteries or mains;
• auto power off function;
• there is a clock and a calendar;
• tonometer brand "Boyrer" model BM 19 has the function of voice playback of the results;
• in the aircraft model 08 the case is waterproof;
• measurements are accompanied by sound alerts;
• the device indicates abnormal operation with sound signals.

Despite a number of advantages, German pressure measuring devices of the Boyrer brand are not so widely used, as consumers believe that these blood pressure monitors are overpriced. The price is from 3000 to 5000 rubles. Consumers and professionals talk about the inaccuracy of the measurement results, the large influence of external factors on the indicators, the cuffs are inconvenient in size and the absence of a network adapter in the configuration.

Rules for preparing for pressure measurement

In order for the measurement results to be reliable, it is necessary to adhere to some recommendations:

1. Take a comfortable body position, relax for 5 minutes before taking measurements.
2. Do not drink alcoholic drinks, coffee the day before.
3. Avoid nervous tension, anxiety.
4. Perform the procedure in silence, do not talk during the measurement.

Instructions for measuring blood pressure with a mechanical tonometer

How to measure pressure with a mechanical tonometer? After reading the instructions for measuring pressure using a hand-held device, you can check the indicators and other types of devices. Take measurements as follows:

1. Fasten the cuff on the shoulder flush with the heart. This is 3 cm above the elbow. Wrap the cuff around your arm and fasten it with Velcro.
2. Insert a phonendoscope into your ears.
3. Install the phonendoscope amplifier on the inner bend of the elbow where the large vein passes.
4. Grasp the “pear” of the device with your palm. With its help, pump air into the cuff until the device shows a pressure higher than 40 mmHg. Art. from the alleged.
5. Slowly open the bleed valve, trying to hear the first jolt of blood. This is the upper, or systolic, pressure.
6. When you stop clearly hearing the pulse in the phonendoscope, record the digital readings. This is diastolic or lower pressure.
7. Release all air from a cuff.
8. Repeat the measurements as necessary.

Interpretation of pressure measurement results

Refer to the table below to interpret the measurement results. But remember that only a doctor can make a final diagnosis.

, 140/90, .

. , And Omron, Beurer Tensoval, Microlife. .