People suffering from cardiovascular disease should constantly monitor changes in blood pressure. This indicator can be measured using special measuring instruments that manufacturers produce in different variations. The manual tonometer differs from its analogues in compact dimensions. The medical device is convenient to use. You can take it with you to work, to the country, on a trip or business trip.
Manual blood pressure monitor: principle of operation of the device
A medical device is used to determine blood pressure. With its help, an indicator is measured that determines how blood presses on the vascular walls. The volume of blood in the circulatory system of a person, which the heart is able to pump over a certain time, and the resistance force from the vascular system are investigated.
The upper or systolic value indicates the force with which the blood acts on the arteries during its ejection from the heart. A lower or diastolic value is an indicator that displays the strength of the influence of blood on the walls of blood vessels at a time when the heart muscle relaxes. A good device should measure both indicators correctly. It is for these purposes that such a tonometer is used.
To measure the pressure of a person suffering from arrhythmia, use special instruments. They are equipped with modern technology to display the correct readings. Intelligent systems allow you to eliminate errors during the blood pressure test procedure. Motion indicators help to correctly fix the cuff on the arm.
Who is this portable device for?
The first models were suitable only for people under 40, provided that their vessels were healthy. After the specified age limit, signs of atherosclerosis appear. The vascular walls become harder, the wrist device does not always display readings correctly: it does not recognize a weak signal.
The modern hand-held blood pressure monitor, which is installed on the wrist, has been greatly improved. In the latest models, a cuff with a special shape has appeared, which allows you to read pulse tones simultaneously from two arteries. This design makes it possible to obtain more accurate measurements.
Features of choosing a portable blood pressure monitor
For older people, children, athletes or pregnant women produce devices that differ in advanced functionality. Thanks to the presence of additional options, pressure indicators are displayed more accurately.
- A manual tonometer on the wrist for the elderly is the best solution when a person has to measure blood pressure himself. When using an automatic device, no physical effort is required. If a person has impaired vision, then a device with large numbers will suit him. Sound meters are also sold, which can be used even by the blind.
- For children, ordinary adult meters are not suitable. They need a manual blood pressure monitor with a small cuff. It is picked around the circumference of the hand - for newborns - from 5 to 7.5 cm; for babies from 7.5 to 13 cm; for children - from 13 to 20 cm. For kids, manufacturers produce tonometers with bright colors and funny patterns. They resemble toys, which attract the attention of a child.
- Athletes must carefully monitor their health. Using a blood pressure monitor allows you to be sure that increased loads during training are safe for the human body. Experts recommend that athletes use both a mechanical and automatic tonometer. The values obtained are as accurate as possible. During the procedure, a manual tonometer is put on the wrist, and a mechanical one on the shoulder.
- In the body of a pregnant woman, hormonal changes take place, significant changes are observed in the work of all vital systems. Pressure surges can indicate problems in the cardiovascular system. Electronic models automatically process the indicators that appear on the display. Measuring instruments with a minimum error of not more than 3 mmHg are suitable for pregnant women. Art.
Hand tonometer on the wrist: how to use the device yourself
The device is easy to use, no problems should arise during the examination procedure. A person must fix the device on his wrist and press the start button. The hand should be at heart level. The results are displayed in a few seconds. Hand should be relaxed. You cannot talk or move during the procedure. Measurement should be done 2 or 3 times. An indicator of blood pressure is the average value. It is better to write down the obtained values so that it is convenient to calculate.
How to choose your own device
Today tonometers are sold everywhere. They can be bought at the pharmacy or ordered in the online store. When choosing a device, you can be guided by the following criteria:
- functionality and focus;
- warranty period of operation;
- cuff length;
- error of indicators obtained during measurement;
- the cost of the device.
When you need to conduct research not at home, choose a battery-powered model. It is also recommended to find out the opinion of those who have already bought a hand tonometer on the wrist. User reviews allow you to evaluate all the advantages and disadvantages of each model. As a rule, the most popular devices are considered the highest quality.
Popular blood pressure monitors from the Japanese brand Citizen
In the device, air is automatically fed into the cuff. The device is equipped with a large size liquid crystal display. The device memory is designed for 7 measurements.
The meter allows you to measure blood pressure with a pulse rate. The error in measuring heart rate is 5%, and in measuring blood pressure 4 mm RT. Art. There is an option to automatically turn off and the ability to connect the device to an additional power supply. A manual blood pressure monitor on the wrist of the Citizen can simultaneously display the measurement results of both pressure and heart rate.
Reviews about other models
In addition to the Citizen tonometer, many positive reviews leave another tonometer. The Omron meter is an instrument with excellent technical characteristics. The device allows you to measure systolic and diastolic blood pressure and heart rate. It provides memory for 60 values. Errors are allowed when measuring pressure at 3 mm Hg, and when measuring pulse - by 5%. The power sources are 4 AAA 1.5 V rechargeable batteries with an AC adapter.
Modern blood pressure monitors show accurate measurement results. If you use a mechanical device for independent measurement, then the errors will be greater than those indicated on the best models of automatic devices. A person has to pump air into the cuff himself, and this leads to muscle tension and an increase in blood pressure. More accurate values are shown by automatic devices during independent procedure.