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Blood Pressure Monitor FAQs
Blood Pressure Monitor Video | Advice about blood pressure | Choosing a blood pressure monitorHere is a list of frequently asked questions about automatic blood pressure monitors, together with answers that our customers have found useful. Click on the question to see the answer.
Finding the right blood pressure monitor
I have an upper arm measurement of over 32cm. Which blood pressure monitor should I go for?
I’m on a tight budget, and want a good upper arm monitor.
I would like to buy the most cutting-edge upper arm monitor.
General Blood Pressure Monitor FAQs
Can you tell me a bit about A&D and Omron?
What are the advantages and disadvantages of using a semi-automatic monitor?
What’s the difference between an upper arm monitor and a wrist monitor?
Wrist Monitor FAQs
I’m interested in buying a wrist monitor. What is your recommendation?
Q.
I’m looking to buy an upper arm monitor for home use. I want something that is easy to use for a person without much medical experience. What can you recommend?
A.
The A&D UA-767 (AB005) has a one-touch operation and is universally popular with patients of all levels of experience
Q.
I have an upper arm measurement of over 32cm. Which blood pressure monitor should I go for?
A.
There are three options:
- The A&D UA-787 (AB010 Large option) goes up to 45cm.
- The Omron M7 (AB020) goes up to 42cm.
- Buy a spare cuff (see Spare Cuff section), along with a monitor of your choice. The Omron Large Cuff (AC018) fits all the upper arm Omron monitors, excluding the M7. The A&D Large cuff (AC011) fits all A&D upper arm monitors except the UA-704
Q.
My partner and I both need to start measuring our blood pressure, so I would like to purchase a monitor that can store the readings of two different people simultaneously.
A.
The A&D UA-774 (AB009) is ideal for this.
Q.
I’m on a tight budget, and want a good upper arm monitor.
A.
The Mars MS-700AM (AB016) is both reliable and accurate, as well as being good value for money.
Q.
I would like to buy the most cutting-edge upper arm monitor.
A.
If you buy the Omron 705IT (AB024), you can transfer your readings onto your PC. This monitor comes with easy-to-use software for maintaining a track record of the health of your heart.
Alternatively, if you don’t have a PC, the Omron 705CP (AB025) comes with its own mini-printer that gives you a permanent record of your readings.
Both of these machines can be extremely useful to your GP in monitoring your health and your response to medication.
Q.
Can you tell me a bit about A&D and Omron?
A.
Omron and A&D are the two leading manufacturers of blood pressure monitors. Omron have a pedigree in manufacturing monitoring equipment, and for controlling industrial manufacturing processes.
A&D have a history in the manufacture of all types of weighing and measuring equipment, both for medical and non-medical use. They both make very reliable machines which have a reputation for accuracy and useability.
Q.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of using a semi-automatic monitor?
A.
A semi-automatic monitor is inflated manually, with a bulb pump. This gives you complete control of how tightly the cuff grips your arm before you allow it to deflate and take the reading.
Semi-automatic monitors have fewer mechanical parts, so there’s less that can go wrong, and therefore more reliability. Fully automatic monitors are still extremely reliable, but you can expect a semi-automatic monitor to last longer.
However, some people prefer not to manually inflate their cuff, as they find it more relaxing to let the machine do the work for them. And with constant use, the bulb will need replacing after a few years.
Q.
What’s the difference between an upper arm monitor and a wrist monitor?
A.
The important thing with taking a blood pressure reading is to position the cuff at the same level as the heart.
Upper-arm-type monitors tend to be more accurate because it’s easier to keep the cuff at the right height. However, they can be troublesome to put on and it is important to make sure that they are correctly placed about 1 inch above the crease of the elbow.
Wrist-type monitors have the advantage of being more portable and very easy to put on. With a bit of practice it should be possible to get an accurate blood pressure reading from both types.
Q.
How often is an automatic BPM supposed to be calibrated?
A.
The manufacturers guarantee the calibration for 2 years, after which it can be sent back to us to be recalibrated. The charge for recalibration is £30.
Q.
I’m interested in buying a wrist monitor. What is your recommendation?
A.
Our recommended wrist monitor is the A&D UB-511 (AB014), which is one of the most up-to-date monitors on the market. Advantages with this model:
- Takes the reading during inflation, meaning that the cuff never becomes any tighter than absolutely necessary
- Reading time is considerably faster than conventional models that take the reading during the deflation phase
- Compact and light
- Features the advanced averaging and memory features of all the most up-to-date models
- Unusual amongst wrist monitors in holding a British Hypertension Society clinical validation
Q.
What is the Rolls Royce of wrist monitors?
A.
The Omron R7 (AB031), which has special technology that actually detects whether the monitor is being held at the correct level during the reading. This can be very advantageous, especially if the user has any uncertainty about whether they are using the machine correctly.