Wrist Blood Pressure Monitors

Traditionally, the upper arm blood pressure reading is considered a standard process for measuring blood pressure, but blood pressure monitors are becoming smaller and more portable. The trend is now leaning toward the use of wrist monitors, which is becoming more popular by the day.

The smaller dimensions of the cuff used in wrist blood pressure monitors were previously known to cause inaccuracy in blood pressure measurement, because wrist monitors are extremely sensitive to motion and the position of the body. The accuracy of blood pressure measurement using wrist monitors was therefore a topic of debate.

Inaccuracy however, is no longer an issue. Wrist blood pressure monitor brands like Omron have recently made significant improvements to wrist monitoring technology. Omron RS2, with its new Intellisense technology records the blood pressure accurately and manages the inflation and deflation of the cuff without causing any discomfort to the person wearing the monitor.

Advantages of Using Wrist Blood Pressure Monitors

The significance of wrist monitors stem from its ease of use and versatility when it comes to monitoring blood pressure, regardless of the wearer's weight. People with larger upper arms may find it difficult to use a traditional upper arm cuff. Wrist blood pressure monitors are now used to overcome this problem.

Wrist monitors are more popular as they are portable than its upper-arm counterpart, as it is both lighter and less bulky. Since it is easier to wrap the cuff around the wrist than the upper arm, people usually prefer wrist monitors to check their blood pressure at home. Also, as the wrist monitor cuff only covers a small area on the wrist, it causes less discomfort when inflated.

Positioning the cuff was a problem with wrist monitors. However, with innovative positioning technology, the device can now help you position the wrist cuff at heart level with a recorded voice programmed to guide you.

How to use Wrist Blood Pressure Monitors

Wrist monitors are easy to use and come with a variety of functionalities. After setting up the monitor's time and date, perform the following steps.

Wrap the cuff around your wrist with the display and your palm facing you. Position your arm on a table and follow the sound or voice guide in the device to position your arm at heart level.
When you are calm and ready for the test, click the ?Start? button on the monitor to begin. The device will automatically inflate the cuff and deflate it once the reading is recorded. When the monitor is operating, you should remain still and silent, because even small movements can influence the blood pressure reading.
You will hear an alert sound from the device when the testing is complete. Wait for the cuff to deflate completely before removing it. Record the reading into the monitor's memory or print it on a paper if your device has that option.
Repeat the above steps every five minutes till you record a consistent value, because each reading can vary due to many factors. By taking multiple readings, you can converge on the most accurate measurement of your blood pressure.