I bought my parents a digital blood pressure monitor for them to have a gadget that will help them in monitoring their health. My question is, are these gadgets accurate in giving the results to the users? What will be disadvantages (if there are) of using this kind of instruments?

I've been using the Omron digital blood pressure monitor for my mother for the last two years. It's one of the best investments that I have ever made. I check by mother's BP twice every day because her BP keeps fluctuating from high to low within a day. Readings are fairly accurate with plus/minus 5 points. But, you can assess the BP status reasonably well. According to my opinion, digital blood pressure monitor is a must in every home.

I've an aged mother whose BP often keeps fluctuating. Can I use BP monitor for regular check ups? Are Blood Pressure Monitors accurate?

I've been using Blood Pressure Monitor (Omron) for the last several years with good results. It is useful, especially when you have to monitor BP on a day to day basis. It is fairly accurate with plus/minus 5-10 points. But, you can get a fair idea of your BP.

What's nice about these digital BP monitors is that they're easier to use compared to the complicated sphygmomanometers. Actually, I bought my parents digital BP monitors so that they could check their BP on their own. most brands have clinically proven accuracy, so I don't think you have to worry about the reliability of these BP monitors.

There are lots of BP monitors out in the market, and you can choose from the really bulky mercury sphygmomanometers (the ones used in hospitals, with wheels and all), or the techie digital BP monitors. The latter is more recommended for the household, since it's light and easy to use. You don't need stethoscopes and special skills to use the digital BP apparatus.

Home BP monitors are very popular at least in europe. The gradual ageing of the population alongwith the increasing prevalence of hypertension provides for an increasing market for this product. In fact it is common for physicians to recommend patients use a blood-pressure monitor at home after they have been diagnosed with hypertension. And yes the good ones are accurate and it would be nice to get one for your mother.

The thing with digital BP devices sometimes dont give accurate information of the BP of the person. Since this is a electronic device it may effect the result sometimes if other devices are also present when using the digitsl BP. This other devices may cause EMI (elecronic magnetic interference) to the digital BP and will effect the result of the test. Ive test it before and the first test was accurate but when the 2nd test was finished it gave me a high Bp as if im already having a heart attack. Make sure that you have to check 3x or 4x and look if the result is on the same phase with ohter test you've run.

Yes I also bought my mom a digital BP. Its the same results it gets higher when it is with another electronic device. So EMI's truly affect the result of the BP reading

Has anyone used or does anyone know anything about the small wrist type blood pressure
monitoes that run on AA batteries? I have seen them advertised in some health catalogues.

I'm looking for a BP monitor that's fairly inexpensive - my BP has been fluctuating on the
high side recently and I would like to check my BP frequently while I work on lowering it.

Thanks for any responses.
Pinky

Yes I got a wrist type BP monitor and not that expensive as other digital BP. Its dependable if your using it everyday. But make sure try to test 2-4x a day and average the results of the BP result. Since this is a electronic device still keep it away from other devices when using it so that it will not effect the result.

Thank you, SweetMaryLee. I ordered it yesterday.
My BP seems to be back to normal as I've been eating lots
of Fresh Garlic and Avocadoes. Both of these foods are
known to be helpful in lowering Blood Pressure.

But pinky make sure to monitor your blood pressure 4x a day. Spread from the morning lunch and afterroon and average it. Eating right and consulting your doctor is still best.

These electronic BP monitors seems sometimes not accurate. Yes robetbrown its better to measure it 4x a day and average the result you get. Its still better to go to a clinic or to a hospital to get a precise BP monitor results.

I suggest the old fashioned BP monitors that uses mercury are stll reliable source. But you cannot stop technology it will upgade and enhanced the BP monitor. Its better to check at least 3x a day so that you could have a concreate information of you BP reading.

Pinky - 11 October 2008 04:11 AM

Thank you, SweetMaryLee. I ordered it yesterday.
My BP seems to be back to normal as I've been eating lots
of Fresh Garlic and Avocadoes. Both of these foods are
known to be helpful in lowering Blood Pressure.

I knew Garlic was good for lowering BP but had no idea avocadoes was good for it too. What are some others?

Another fruit that lowers blood pressure is banana. The potassium in banana also helps to lower down blood pressure.

Again, I knew bananas were good for potassium but had no idea it lowers the blood pressure.

Yes, potassium is good to lower down blood pressure. In an article that I have read before potassium not only in bananas but all foods that has potassium lower down blood pressure and also food that is good for lowering down our weight.

What other food is rich in potassium?

Aside from bananas, here are other potassium-rich foods: avocadoes, raisins, apricot, tomatoes, melons, kiwi and spinach.