A tonometer should be in everyone’s house, even in absolutely healthy people. Modern life takes place in a tense and in a sense unpredictable rhythm. Stress, high physical and psychological stress, climatic conditions, elementary traffic jams - all this can provoke pressure surges. The Omron M3 Expert automatic blood pressure monitor, whether at hand, will always tell you if the pressure is guilty of a deterioration in well-being, and will help to quickly correct the situation. This device was created by Japanese developers, and is manufactured in China. It is aimed at people of any category, young, elderly, with medical education or without. The tonometer price of this series is somewhat high, which is caused by the many options that the device is equipped with. All of them are designed to facilitate its use and make the measurement results as accurate as possible.
Description of the model, equipment
The Omron M3 Expert tonometer is sold in a cardboard box that shows all the basic information about the device. The package includes:
- a cover (with a zipper, but without a handle);
- an electronic unit (with a display where the measurement results are shown);
- cuff;
- batteries (4 pieces);
- adapter (so that the device can work from the network);
- instructions.
The tonometer is easily assembled into the working position, the cuff tube is very simply connected to the electronic unit. There are two ways of working with the device. Omron M3 Expert can run on batteries for quite some time. With the adapter included in the kit, it goes on sale for the convenience of consumers, so that if they wish, they can connect the device to the network and save battery power.
You can buy this tonometer in a regular or online pharmacy. The price varies from 4340 to 5000 rubles.
Preparation for work
To ensure that the tonometer readings are always as accurate as possible, you need to not only follow all the recommendations for taking measurements, but also handle the device correctly. Before using the Omron M3 Expert tonometer, you need to make sure that all its component parts that are included in the kit are working, the display of the electronic unit is not damaged, the plug on the cuff tube is well fixed in the socket located on the side of the unit, but it is easy to insert and remove. You also need to inspect and check the adapter. The socket for its plug is located on the rear surface of the unit. After making sure that everything is in order with the device, you need to activate the “sound signal” function, set the date and time. After that, the tonometer will be automatically recorded in the memory when measurements were taken.
Compliance with some rules when taking measurements
Simply measure the pressure with an Omron M3 Expert tonometer. The instruction describes in detail the algorithm of actions. In addition, there are tips on the cuff and on a separate cardboard sheet, which is convenient for those people who find it difficult to remember how to correctly measure. This appliance is automatic. It is endowed with many useful functions, but in order for automation to work without problems and produce accurate results, you must not allow deviations from the rules prescribed in the instructions. So, it is desirable to measure pressure while sitting. In this case, the back should be straight and abut against the back of the chair. The hand on which the measurements are taken should lie on the table. In the supine position, it is also allowed to measure pressure if the patient has difficulty sitting. In this case, the arm should be freely, without straining, positioned on the bed, stretched along the body and slightly set aside. The manufacturer recommends not to do physical work, do not smoke, do not drink alcohol, and do not eat half an hour before the measurements.
How to put on a cuff
With the Omron M3 Expert, you can measure pressure both for other people and for yourself. It is important to put the cuff on your hand. The algorithm of actions here is this:
1. Insert the plug of the air tube into the socket on the electronic unit.
2. Put on the cuff so that its lower edge is 1.5-2 cm above the elbow. The mark under the tube should be approximately in the center of the arm from its inside. If the pressure is measured on the right hand, the tube with the cuff correctly fitted is located on the side of the elbow.
3. Observing all these conditions, fasten the Velcro tape (Velcro) cuff.
If the cuff is not worn correctly, the corresponding icon will be displayed on the instrument display.
How to take a measurement
The Omron M3 Expert blood pressure monitor is an intelligent device that does everything by itself. The user is only required to take the pose appropriate for the recommendations, put on the cuff, fasten it and press the "Start" button. After that, the air in the cuff will begin to inflate automatically. When the desired volume is reached, the device will begin to measure the upper and lower pressures (systolic and diastolic), as well as the pulse rate. At the end, a beep will sound and the result will appear on the display screen. The next measurement should be carried out after waiting up to 5 minutes. At the end, you need to unfasten and remove the cuff, turn off the device.
Arrhythmia indicator (irregular heartbeat)
The Omron M3 Expert tonometer has a function to detect irregular heartbeats. If a person has such a health problem, when measuring pressure with this device, the results may not be entirely correct. If the tonometer has detected an arrhythmia, it displays the corresponding indicator on the screen. In such cases, the procedure must be repeated. Sometimes, due to an irregular heartbeat, the device is not able to measure the pressure correctly. Then the values are not displayed on the screen. It is recommended to consult a doctor if the tonometer too often gives an indicator of arrhythmia.
Movement and pressure indicators
It is not difficult to measure the pressure correctly with the Omron M3 Expert tonometer, because it contains functions that control any errors that affect the result. So, if a person is not sitting quietly during a measurement, a motion indicator appears on the display. In this case, the procedure should be repeated.
The tonometer of this model has a very useful graphic indicator that can determine above, below, or at the level of the accepted WHO values the patient pressure is. Deviation from the norm only in individual cases (for example, with emotional arousal) does not require treatment. However, if the indicators are higher or lower than normal are often, you should see a doctor.
Additional device features
Many useful functions are included in the Omron M3 Expert tonometer. Customer reviews note that it stores data on 60 recent measurements. Not only the results obtained are recorded, but also the exact time of the procedure. This function allows you to keep a record of the patient’s pressure for a certain period of time, which helps in the diagnosis.
In addition, based on the last three results, the tonometer calculates the average pressure value. If there are only two results in memory, the average value of the device is calculated from them.
Care and storage
In order for the Omron M3 Expert tonometer to serve for a long time and work efficiently, you need to follow a few simple manufacturer recommendations. When storing the device it is forbidden:
- place it near a fire, in the sun, in a room with high humidity;
- wash the electronic unit and display with water (you can only wipe it with a dry cloth);
- wash the cuff (you can only wipe with a damp cloth);
- when cleaning any parts of the tonometer, use solvents and corrosive liquids, such as gasoline, solvents;
- tighten the cuff;
- subject the electronic unit to vibration and shock;
- disassemble the device for repairs or for other purposes.
The manufacturer recommends:
- every 2 years to make control measurements of pressure in order to verify the accuracy of the device;
- if large discrepancies in measurements are found, contact the service center (it should be indicated in the documents issued when purchasing the device).
Omron M3 Expert: reviews of doctors and consumers
This tonometer mainly has favorable customer reviews. Noted positive qualities of the device:
- it’s very easy to measure pressure, even to yourself;
- easy to put on and take off the cuff;
- device operation both from batteries and from a network;
- the presence of clear and detailed instructions in the kit;
- the ability to find out the pressure without visiting the clinic or calling a health worker at home;
- the ability to monitor their pressure, checking it many times a day.
Noted disadvantages:
- high price;
- sometimes the tonometer gives incorrect results;
- You can not measure pressure with arrhythmia.
The opinions of doctors about the device of this model are ambiguous. Most specialists prefer to measure blood pressure with a mechanical tonometer, considering it the most accurate. They recommend that people have an automatic blood pressure monitor at home in order to be able to independently determine the increase or decrease in their pressure and, if necessary, quickly call a medical professional to get timely help.