After forty years, doctors recommend regularly monitoring their pressure. This applies even to those who have never had health problems at all. Regular pressure surges require daily monitoring of indicators, which will help in time to prevent the occurrence of some complex cardiovascular diseases. A correctly selected tonometer will facilitate monitoring of your pressure indicators.
What is a tonometer and what does it happen?
A tonometer is a device that is designed to measure blood pressure. That is, the indicators of the tonometer give information about the compliance of the measured indicators with the standards established for the human body. Increased or decreased indicators in comparison with the norm may indicate the development of diseases. Deviations from the norm are usually accompanied by the following symptoms: headache, dizziness, nausea. Monitoring your blood pressure will help you avoid feeling unwell.
The modern market for medical devices provides the buyer with a wide selection of blood pressure monitors. They differ not only in their functionality, but also in the dimensions, price and quality of the materials used.
By design, several types of tonometers are distinguished : mechanical, semi-automatic and automatic. Each of the species has its positive and negative sides. Automatic tonometers are considered the most accurate and reliable. Which type of tonometer is best to choose should be determined based on the characteristics of each model and their capabilities. The cost of the device for some is a determining parameter when choosing it, since not everyone can afford to buy an expensive branded model.
Briefly about mechanical and semi-automatic blood pressure monitors
Mechanical tonometers can rightly be called accurate and reliable devices. They consist of a cuff, a phonendoscope, an inflating pear and a dial. With the proper quality of the materials used in the manufacture of mechanical tonometers, these devices can last a very long time. The most unreliable elements of this type are rubber tubes from the pear to the cuff. Over time, they crack and burst. But the cost of replacing them is much lower than the purchase of the device itself.
The availability of mechanical blood pressure monitors makes them very popular among buyers. Significant disadvantages include a long measurement time and complexity of use. To use such a device, you need to have a good ear, which is very rare among older people. Also, this model is not suitable for independent measurements.
Semi-automatic blood pressure monitors are electronic devices and differ from mechanical ones in that the measurement is carried out automatically, and air must be pumped into the cuff manually. For older people, this option is preferable, as it does not require good hearing. This option is more convenient to use, but its price will be slightly higher than that of mechanical ones.
Features of automatic blood pressure monitors
The main difference between automatic blood pressure monitors and other types of devices is the presence of a compressor, which serves as a cuff air blower. This makes the measurement process simpler and faster. A significant drawback of these models is their cost. Not everyone can afford the purchase of an expensive device. But sometimes it’s better to buy a quality device once, which will last a long time.
The best automatic blood pressure monitors have everything you need to make life easier for a person. Ease of use is the main advantage of electronic automatic devices. For people who lead an active lifestyle, often traveling, such models are most suitable. They are more compact in comparison with other types of tonometers, and they are easier to take with you.
The presence of an automatic blood pressure monitor allows a person to lead a familiar lifestyle and at the same time monitor his health. For some, it’s vital that you always have a reliable device with you that can measure your blood pressure. Also, the advantages of automatic models include the speed of measurement, because sometimes, especially at work, it is so difficult to allocate time for yourself.
Components of an automatic tonometer
When choosing a tonometer, you should pay attention to all the components of the device. Not only the accuracy of measurement, but also the service life of the product depends on their quality. If some components of the device are purchased separately, it should be remembered that all components must be of the same company. This will avoid a large error in the results.
When choosing a tonometer, it is first necessary to pay attention to the size of the cuff and the material from which it is made. The stronger the material, the longer the cuff will last. In size, cuffs for children are distinguished, medium and large. If the cuff size does not match the arm volume during pressure measurement, an inaccuracy of the readings occurs, and even pain (the cuff is less than necessary). Models with a universal cuff have a large error in the readings. The Velcro on the cuff should be of high quality and well fastened, otherwise it may be unfastened in the process. For self-measurement, models with a locking ring are provided, which allows you to quickly and correctly put on the cuff.
The automatic models are equipped with a compressor as a cuff air blower . Unlike a rubber bulb, which is equipped with mechanical and semi-automatic options, the compressor fills the cuff much faster with air, thereby reducing the time taken to measure. The amount of air pumped into the cuff is determined using the Fuzzy algorithm. For quick air bleeding, the cuff has a bleed valve.
The indicators taken by the device are displayed on an electronic display. Many modern models have artificial intelligence, which significantly reduces the accuracy of the automatic tonometer. With its help, the device will be able to calculate and display the average pressure indicators and take into account some individual characteristics of the body.
What are automatic tonometers? Which is better?
Automatic blood pressure monitors are distinguished by the place of pressure measurement. An automatic tonometer on the shoulder is designed to measure pressure above the elbow. This is the most popular type.
Such devices are also distinguished by the size of the cuff. Correctly selected cuff volume affects the accuracy of the results. A tonometer with a cuff with a volume of 22 cm to 32 cm is suitable for the average hand. Tonometers with an enlarged cuff allow you to adjust its volume to 42 cm. A cuff with a volume of up to 22 cm is suitable for measuring pressure in children or small-sized people. Typically, the device is equipped with a medium-length cuff, but in order to use the whole family with one tonometer, you can separately purchase a small and large cuff.
If the volume of a person’s hand does not allow him to apply a shoulder cuff, then tonometers are used on the wrist. They are compact in size and ideal for measuring pressure on athletes. The ease of use and ease of use allows you to take it with you on the go or for sports training. In addition to measuring pressure, tonometers on the wrist also provide information about the heart rate.
Sometimes during a pressure measurement, a person may feel discomfort and even pain when squeezing the cuff. Tonometers on the wrist minimize all unpleasant sensations during the measurement process. The digital display of such a tonometer is fixed on the cuff, which allows you to use the device and monitor performance during training. It can also be used in medical centers for the convenience of conducting some stress tests.
Some manufacturers offer instruments that allow you to measure pressure on the finger, but they are not recommended by specialists, as they have low accuracy. The best automatic blood pressure monitors, reviews of which can be found on specialized forums, have minimal error. The most accurate are tonometers with a cuff on the shoulder.
Additional functions of electronic automatic blood pressure monitors
Modern medical devices, for example, such as automatic Omron tonometers, have a number of additional functions. They significantly expand the capabilities of the device and its scope. Many well-known manufacturers of medical equipment try to take into account all the needs of a person when developing new models of tonometers.
Devices with an arrhythmia indicator are able to capture and display irregular heartbeat indicators. Several well-known companies specializing in medical equipment produce devices that have different technologies for determining arrhythmia. Devices with the possibility of diagnosis in accordance with the WHO scale allow you to independently assess the degree of hypertension. The criterion will be useful for people with a diagnosis of hypertension, as it allows you to monitor the development of the disease. The indicators of the device can not serve as the basis for the diagnosis, but, of course, are the reason for contacting a specialist.
An automatic tonometer with an adapter allows you to connect the device to a 220 V network. Tonometers that have the ability to be powered from the network are excellent for home use, as they do not require frequent changes of batteries (batteries). But, it’s worth inserting the batteries, and the device becomes mobile and you can take it with you on the road.
Devices with memory can store up to 200 measurements. The function is indispensable when using a tonometer for daily monitoring of changes in readings. The ability to connect a tonometer to a computer allows you to print the results for yourself or your doctor.
Measurement accuracy of automatic blood pressure monitors
All devices have an error in the readings, which is indicated by the manufacturer on the package. The small error present in the measurements is considered the norm, and it is not evidence of the poor quality of the device. Usually it does not greatly affect the measurement results, and from them one can judge about increased or decreased pressure.
But sometimes in automatic devices there are large discrepancies in the readings with mechanical or semi-automatic blood pressure monitors. Most often this is due to non-compliance with the manufacturer's recommendations on the use of a tonometer. Each certified device is accompanied by an instruction that describes in detail the measurement procedure, and also indicates the position of the cuff on the forearm. It is noted that in case of improper hand position during measurement, the device also gives inaccurate results. When self-measuring pressure, you need to remember that the hand on which the cuff is applied must be located at the level of the heart.
How to choose automatic tonometers? Which is better? Reviews
First of all, the goals for which the device is purchased are taken into account. If the purchase of a tonometer is associated with monitoring your health, then models with basic functions are suitable.
A person with the presence of any cardiovascular disease should pay attention to the additional functions that automatic tonometers are equipped with. Which tonometer is best for a particular person needs to be determined based on many factors. For example, a person’s lifestyle can lead him to choose models with an adapter for home use or tonometers on the wrist for active people.
It is also worth paying attention to the manufacturer. Give preference to better known brands. A cheap device from a little-known company may disappoint during operation. A device with a large number of additional functions has a correspondingly high price. Therefore, the low price of the device, combined with its great functionality, should alert the buyer.
Where is it better to buy blood pressure monitors?
Import tonometers must be certified in the country where they are sold. The certificate confirms the compliance of the device with the quality requirements and the specifications declared by the manufacturer.
Where to get automatic blood pressure monitors, which is better, reviews about devices of different models and brands can be found out from experts. Customer reviews on the operation of various tonometer models can help make a choice in the direction of the most suitable device. It is worth noting that it is worth buying a tonometer only in pharmacies or in medical equipment stores.
Automatic Blood Pressure Monitor Manufacturers
In the domestic market there is a huge selection of manufacturers who have the appropriate quality certificates for their products. One of the most popular is the Microlife tonometer automatic. This manufacturer provides a wide selection of models. The Swiss brand Microlife is constantly developing and introducing new technologies. The new AFIB technology, which is already present in new models of tonometers of this brand, allows you to determine atrial fibrillation and thereby prevent a stroke.
How to choose automatic tonometers? Which is better? Omron is a Japanese company specializing in the manufacture of electronics. The company is known for its research base and has a large number of patented products. Automatic tonometers "Omron" are considered one of the most expensive. The company has established itself as a manufacturer of high-quality electronic equipment, including tonometers of different models. Not everyone can afford an Omron automatic blood pressure monitor, but if you have financial capabilities, it is certainly worth buying a device of this particular brand.
Home blood pressure monitors from the American brand AND are popular all over the world. The company specializes in various medical equipment and is constantly developing and improving the manufactured devices, including automatic tonometers. Which is better - Omron or Andes? When choosing a manufacturer should be guided by the characteristics of the models and their financial capabilities. If we compare two models of different brands, we can find out that with the same capabilities, Omron brand devices are significantly superior in price.