A question asked by capricorn: blood pressure monitoring device?
which blood pressure monitoring device is better . digital or manual?
My chosen answer:
Answer by Michael J
Depends what you are looking for. Digital BP moniters are easy to use but are less accurate than doing it yourself. Manual ones are harder to use, but if you are trained/training as a medical professional this wont be a problem and will offer slightly more accuracy.
For just home use, a digital one is quick, easy and accurate enough.
Provide your own answer to this question below!
The one I’m currently using is an Omron digital monitor, small and portable.The monitor pumps the cuff for You. Measures BP and pulse. Very easy to use. I took my monitor with me to the Dr.’s office to compare with their blood pressure monitor less than 5 points off .
For home use the electronic ones are the easiest to use. They inflate automatically and give you digital readout and usually include your heart rate as well. Doctors recommend NOT using wrist or finger types as they are not very accurate. But an electronic one with arm cuff should be fairly accurate. You can take it to your doctor’s to check it against his/her reading.
For more on this you could visit http://www.smart-heart-living.com/high-blood-pressure.html
The difference in accuracy between a digital or manual machine is insignificant.
What really makes a difference is how ‘central’ or ‘peripheral’ the measurement site is.
‘Central’ readings are more reliable; these are taken near to the heart, where large blood vessels provide a strong signal.
‘Peripheral’ readings are taken nearer to the extremities, where the outside environment affects the blood flow, and this will make the reading dodgy.
BP meters that use a cuff placed around your upper arm, are the most reliable.
Some machines use a cuff placed round your wrist, and these machines cannot be relied on so easily. There are even machines that have a ‘socket’ where you insert your finger. These are more reliable as a lie-detector (or embarrassment meter) than as a health-related BP meter.
The standard mercury sphygmomanometer is likely to be accurate because there are few components which can fail. Other types of apparatus should be calibrated against a mercury type frequently. This is also one of the reasons why still blood pressure is mentioned in mm Hg rather than in other SI units. Automated digital recordings are useful for home monitoring and in an ICU when trained personnel are not available for using mercury based apparatus. Any doubtful value has to be promptly counterchecked by mercury sphygmomanometer.