Free HealthE Newsletter

Path: Home>Shopping Center>Wellness Products>Blood Pressure Monitors

Blood Pressure Monitors

Blood Pressure is the pressure of circulating blood against the walls of the arteries. Your heart is like a pump. When it contracts, or beats, it sends a surge of blood through the blood vessels and pressure increases. This is called your systolic pressure. When your heart relaxes between beats, your blood pressure decreases. This is called your diastolic pressure. These two numbers provide important information about your health. When blood pressure is consistently above normal it is called hypertension (high blood pressure).

High blood pressure is a risk factor for heart and kidney diseases and stroke.  This means that having high blood pressure increases your chance (or risk) of getting heart or kidney disease, or of having a stroke. This is serious business: heart disease is the number one killer in the United States, and stroke is the third most common cause of death. 

About one in every four American adults has high blood pressure. High blood pressure is especially dangerous because it often gives no warning signs or symptoms. Fortunately, though, you can find out if you have high blood pressure by having your blood pressure checked regularly.

The World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Society of Hypertension (ISH) jointly developed the following blood pressure classification. This classification is only a general guideline because your optimum blood pressure depends on your age, and treatment strategy by a physician. Consult your health care professional to determine your optimum blood pressure. Read more about High Blood Pressure and other heart related conditions in our Health Education area

How Is Blood Pressure Tested?

Having your blood pressure tested is quick and easy. Blood pressure is measured in millimeters of mercury (mmHg) and recorded as two numbers systolic pressure "over" diastolic pressure. For example, the doctor or nurse might say "130 over 80" as a blood pressure reading.

Manual Blood Pressure Testing

Done at home with the familiar blood pressure cuff and a stethoscope. The digital Manual Inflation Monitors are the most affordable among the digital blood pressure monitors. This type of monitor requires the user to squeeze the inflation bulb to fill the cuff with air until you reach your correct inflation level. The cuff deflates automatically and your measurements appear on a clear digital display. If you have arthritis or any weakness in the hands you may find it difficult to inflate the cuff. For greater convenience choose an Automatic Inflation Blood Pressure Monitor.

Automatic Blood Pressure Testing

Electronic digital readout monitors make it easy and convenient for individuals to test themselves. These devices perform the blood pressure test procedure automatically at the press of a button. This type of monitor inflates at the touch of a button. In seconds your blood pressure and pulse are alternately displayed. . Wrist Blood Pressure Monitors give you the portability of a “wristwatch” style blood pressure monitor.

Tips for Taking  Your Blood Pressure

• Don't drink coffee or smoke cigarettes 30 minutes before having your blood pressure measured.

• Before the test, sit for five minutes with your back supported and your feet flat on the ground. Rest your arm on a table at the level of your heart.

• Wear short sleeves so your arm is exposed.

• Go to the bathroom prior to the reading. A full bladder can change your blood pressure reading.

• Get two readings, taken at least two minutes apart, and average the results.

Consistent monitoring of your blood pressure will keep you and your doctor informed of your progress to control it. Do-it-yourself testing provides immediate feedback at any time, which can be effective in recognizing dangerous blood pressure levels or the need for immediate medical attention. Healthy individuals can check their blood pressure periodically to monitor changes to safe levels. Use of a Blood Pressure Log to record you daily blood pressure readings is helpful.

Omron Blood Pressure Monitors

Omron Healthcare, Inc., is the world's leading manufacturer and distributor of blood pressure monitors for home use. Omron's clinically proven accurate digital blood pressure monitors are the #1 brand of blood pressure monitors recommended by pharmacists in the U.S.

Omron digital blood pressure monitors use the oscillometric method of blood pressure measurement. This means the monitor detects your blood’s movement through your brachial artery and converts the movements into a digital reading. An oscillometric monitor does not need a stethoscope so the monitor is simple to use.

Our automatic arm and wrist blood pressure monitors use IntelliSense™ advanced technology for Optimum Inflation Level Setting (OILS), which inflates the cuff to the ideal level with each use, and Electronic Deflation Control (EDC) which deflates the cuff at the optimal speed to allow shorter times between measurements. This provides for maximum comfort in operation.

All models of Omron’s blood pressure monitors are clinically proven accurate. Pressure is plus or minus three millimeters of mercury or two percent of reading. Pulse is plus or minus five percent of reading. This meets or exceeds the standards of the Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation.

Selecting blood pressure monitor cuff size

We highly recommend you measure your arm circumference. If your arm size is 7 to 9 inches you need the small adult cuff, 9 to 13 inches is the standard size adult cuff, and 13 to 17 inches is the large adult cuff. Each model is approved for use with specified cuff sizes. When the wrong cuff size is used you may get an inaccurate reading at your first measurement, or after a short period of use because the cuff bladder is damaged.

It’s easy to determine your correct cuff size by measuring the circumference of your left arm with a cloth tape measure. Place the tape measure in the middle of your upper arm between your elbow and your shoulder. If your arm size is 7 to 9 inches you need the small adult cuff, 9 to 13 inches is the standard size adult cuff, and 13 to 17 inches is the large adult cuff.

Omron Automatic Wrist Blood Pressure Monitors

Note: We recommend those persons with severe hypertension, severe diabetes or severe arteriosclerosis consult their physician prior to measuring blood pressure at the wrist.

Omron Manual Blood Pressure Monitors