Products
Blood Pressure Monitor
Why should I use an OMRON blood pressure monitor?
Helps to diagnose and monitor hypertension with accurate results as in doctor’s office
OMRON - The No. 1 recommended brand by cardiologists
Easy and effortless use to monitor heart health from the convenience of your home
How does a blood pressure monitor work?
Blood pressure is measured using a sphygmomanometer, or blood pressure machine. It consists of an inflatable cuff that’s wrapped around your arm, roughly at level with your heart, and a monitoring device that measures the cuff’s pressure.
The monitor measures two pressures: systolic, and diastolic. Systolic pressure is higher, occurring when your heart beats and pushes blood through the arteries, and diastolic pressure is measured when your heart is resting and filling with blood. So, for example, your blood pressure might be 120 over 80.
Blood pressure readers may be manual or digital, but home blood pressure monitors are usually digital and the whole measurement process is automatic apart from placing the cuff around your arm.
The blood pressure cuff then inflates until it fits tightly around your arm, cutting off your blood flow, and then the valve opens to deflate it. As the cuff reaches your systolic pressure, blood begins to flow around your artery. This creates a vibration that’s detected by the meter, which records your systolic pressure. In a traditional analogue sphygmomanometer, named as manual blood pressure monitor, the blood sounds are detected by the doctor using a stethoscope.
As the cuff continues to deflate, it reaches your diastolic pressure, and the vibration stops. The meter senses this and records the blood pressure again.
How do I measure my blood pressure correctly?
Taking readings requires some thought and preparation, though it will soon become second nature. There are several things to remember:
- Rest your arm on a table top and sit quietly for about 5 minutes with both feet flat on the floor.
- Do not talk or move during measurement.
- Do not smoke, bathe, drink caffeinated drinks/alcohol or exercise 30 minutes before measurement.
- Measure at the same time every day.
- Take multiple readings and record the results using a diary or an app.
The instruction manual of your device will also provide you with clear instructions.
Important: the correct way of measuring is very important for reliable results.
What are the types of blood pressure monitors?
There are two main types of home blood-pressure readers:
Others measure blood pressure through a finger, and are less reliable.
Both varieties are automatic, so the cuff inflates itself and the meter displays a reading. Make sure the cuff fits you: most models come with a medium-sized cuff, and you may have to order a large blood pressure cuff or smaller size if necessary.
Different blood pressure monitors have different features: many will tell you what risk category you fall into, calculate averages, let you download data to another device, or store information for multiple users.
Do some research online before you buy a blood pressure monitor reading machine. Also, most bp readers are very accurate, but make sure yours has been clinically validated. Choose one with user-friendly controls and an easy-to-read display.
If you’re using a blood pressure checker on your doctor’s advice, he or she should tell you when to take readings. As a rule, though, you should take them at the same time of day on each occasion, so you’re comparing like with like.
Take a few readings each time, at least 30 seconds apart, and calculate the average to make the figures more representative. And if your bp monitor doesn’t store your readings for you, jot them down in a notebook to get an idea of long-term trends.
A blood pressure monitor may be a good idea if any of the following applies to you:
- You need closer monitoring than occasional visits to the doctor can provide
- You’re pregnant
- You’re diabetic
- You’ve had some high readings at the doctor’s, but need to confirm whether you actually have high blood pressure. This may be a particular issue if you get white-coat hypertension – in other words, your blood pressure goes up whenever you’re in a medical environment.
- You’ve been started on blood pressure medication and need to check whether it’s working
Even if you have normal blood pressure, there’s no harm in keeping an eye on it from time to time.
Bupa (2018). High blood pressure. Retrieved from www.bupa.co.uk/health-information/heart-blood-circulation/high-blood-pressure-hypertension
American Heart Association (2017). Monitoring your blood pressure at home. Retrieved from www.heart.org/en/health-topics/high-blood-pressure/understanding-blood-pressure-readings/monitoring-your-blood-pressure-at-home
Disclaimer - 2
This content has been reviewed and approved by a Omron Healthcare Europe cross-functional team to ensure that the provided information is accurate. Approval Code: OHEAPP-355