Having blood pressure equipment is a necessity for people diagnosed with hypertension. Hypertension or high blood pressure has no identifiable cause. It is considered a silent killer that killed 18 % of the world population in 2010. Even young and healthy adults end up dying because of systolic hypertension. To avoid such, change of lifestyle is a must and preventive care such as monitoring your blood pressure is a must.

Before picking up your own equipment to monitor your blood pressure, here are some things that you should know.

Arm Monitor or Wrist Monitor

According to Consumer Reports, each type has its own pros and cons. Arm monitors are more accurate, but you need to learn how to use it to make each reading accurate. A too tight or too loose fit can lead to inaccurate readings. As for wrist monitors, these are portable, light and easy to carry. To get an accurate reading, you should know the right position of your wrist and arm cuff (heart level).

Check the Size

If you are ordering an arm monitor, you have watch out for the cuff. The size of your cuff will depend on the size of your upper arm. To get the right cuff measurement, get your upper arm’s circumference in centimeters. If your upper arm measurement is 18-22 cm, you should use a small cuff. For 22-32cm, you should use a medium cuff and large cuff for 32-45cm.

Ease of Use

Oftentimes, parents and seniors are the ones using blood pressure monitors at home. If they don’t have a healthcare provider to assist them, then they should be able to use their BP monitor with ease. You should look for a monitor that has large buttons and display. An easy to read monitor is highly recommended and it should come with easy to understand operating instructions.

Additional Features

There are blood pressure monitors that come with features like faster accurate reading, measures pulse, measures systolic/diastolic pressure, and memory capability of multiple users. If you are going to invest in a blood pressure equipment, you should consider getting a monitor with more features than a plain blood pressure monitor.

Where to Buy

BP monitors are available on pharmacies, medical device stores, and online shops. Before placing an order, feel free to ask some questions from the store representative. Ask for a demo if possible. If ordering online, make sure that they can give you all the necessary information you need about the brand you are interested in.

Conclusion

Hypertension is still incurable but with lifestyle change and by religiously monitoring your own blood pressure, you can keep tabs of your health and avoid possible hypertension complications.