QUESTION: I am considering purchasing the equipment to measure the blood pressure of my husband, who has a mild hypertensive condition, and have noticed a number of different devices in the local pharmacy.
How accurate are they, and how can you be sure of getting accurate results when using a home monitoring device?
ANSWER: That is a fine idea, for it can help greatly in helping your husband deal with his condition.
Home blood pressure monitoring devices give hypertensive patients an immediate idea of how well they are doing with their medication program.
They also help the patient's doctor by making creating a record of daily readings so that he can evaluate, in an ongoing fashion, the progress of the patient. Three different types of instruments are currently available for home use.
All three are packaged in kits that contain a blood pressure cuff, and, if necessary, a stethoscope. The first of these devices, the mercury sphygmomanometer, is calibrated by the manufacturer so that the top of the mercury column stands precisely at zero when the cuff is deflated.
This device is considered the most accurate and reliable of the three.
If the mercury column is soiled or does not rest at zero, the instrument should be returned to the manufacturer for recalibration. Nonelectronic aneroid manometers cost less and are accurate if properly calibrated.
They should be calibrated once every year against a standard mercury sphygmomanometer. The newest choice for home blood pressure monitoring is one of the many electronic devices that provide a digital readout and do not require a stethoscope.
Some are fully automated so that the push of a button inflates and deflates the cuff.
These are particularly useful for persons with hearing deficiencies or those anxious about the to use of a stethoscope, or even just for those who wish to have an instrument that is easy to use. Moving the arm, failing batteries or incorrect placement of the cuff can cause erratic measurement, so before an unusual result leads you to assume the worst, be sure to test your pressure a second time.
False readings may also result from an ill-fitting cuff, so choose the right size if you are given a choice.
Also, a noisy environment may cause a high reading.
Recordings more than once or twice a month are generally unnecessary for hypertensive patients, who should expect some normal daily fluctuations in pressure. However it does make sense to check the pressure under the same conditions each time, so that comparisons are valid.
Pick a time of the day when stress is at a minimum to obtain a good base line reading. There is one additional benefit from using these devices which isn't always written about.
Just using the instrument reminds patients that they should be taking their medication on a regular basis, even when they are feeling fine, for that's the best way to keep those readings down!
The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace the counsel and advice of your personal physician.
Promptly consulting your doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical problem.
