How to Choose a Blood Pressure Monitor
 ust as exercise plays a key role in any fitness plan, blood pressure is one of the key measures of your overall health. Whether you enjoy strenuous mountain hiking or treadmill walks in the comforts of your own home, monitoring your blood pressure on a regular basis should be part of your fitness routine. This is especially true if you have a history of high or low blood pressure. REI's selection of blood pressure monitors makes monitoring easy to do yourself.
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What Is Blood Pressure?
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 Blood pressure is simply the pressure of circulating blood against the walls of the arteries. It is measured by systolic and diastolic pressure. For example, an average healthy blood pressure for someone who is 30 is typically around 120/80. (Readings go up slightly as you get older and go down as you get more fit.) In this example, 120 is the systolic pressure and 80 is the diastolic pressure. The systolic (always the top number) represents the pressure in your arteries as your heart contracts and ejects blood into the circulatory system. Diastolic pressure (always the bottom number) occurs as the heart relaxes following a contraction. It represents the minimum pressure to which the arteries are exposed.
Normal Systolic Pressure Range: 110-140
Normal Diastolic Pressure Range: 60-80
Understanding High Blood Pressure
High blood pressure is known as "the silent killer" because it often goes undetected due to lack of monitoring. Also known as hypertension, high blood pressure is a repeatedly elevated blood pressure exceeding around 160/90. If high blood pressure goes untreated, it can lead to the hardening of the arteries (and possible strokes), thickening of the heart muscle, kidney failure, blood vessel changes in the eye and brain damage.
No specific cause is found in 95% of patients with high blood pressure. Salt restriction, regular aerobic exercise and losing weight, along with doctor-prescribed medications, can help lower and regulate your blood pressure.
Understanding Low Blood Pressure
Low blood pressure, otherwise known as hypotension, is most recognizable as feeling light-headed and/or fainting. Low blood pressure can be the result of improper eating (not eating enough food or at regular intervals), overly aggressive treatment of high blood pressure, a malfunction of the autonomic nervous system, pregnancy, diabetes, a faulty heart valve or an endocrine disorder. If low blood pressure continues to go untreated, it can lead to hemorrhaging, collapse and infectious diseases.
A well-balanced diet, plenty of fluids and regular doctor checkups are vital for diagnosis, prevention and treatment.
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Types of Blood Pressure Monitors
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There are 4 main styles of blood pressure monitors: manual, automatic, wrist and finger.
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- Manual arm-style blood pressure monitors are easily recognizable as they are the style most commonly used in a doctor's office. They include the telltale arm cuff and inflation bulb, plus a display unit. These are the most affordable models.
- Automatic arm-style blood pressure monitors are very similar to the manual style, but they automatically inflate and so do not have a manual inflation bulb. Some come with an automatic memory recall feature that displays your previous blood pressure reading.
- Wrist-style blood pressure monitors are all-in-one units that easily adjust to fit around your wrist. These are alternatives to automatic arm-style monitors and are priced similarly.
- Finger-style blood pressure monitors are typically the smallest in size and are all-in-one units that you insert your finger into for a blood pressure reading. Their compact size makes them best for traveling.
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All of these blood pressure monitor styles give accurate readings and are easy to use. Each is also relatively compact, lightweight and runs on regular alkaline batteries (9-volt, AA or AAA).
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How Blood Pressure Monitors Work
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No matter what style of blood pressure monitor you choose, they all operate the same basic way. With a touch of the start button (or the inflating and deflating of the bulb if you choose a manual style), the monitor makes 2 readings in just seconds. It monitors the pressure of blood exerted on the artery wall when the heart beats — giving you the systolic reading (top number) — and monitors between heartbeats when there is no pressure — the diastolic reading (the bottom number). Your blood pressure reading then automatically shows on the display screen. It's that simple!
How to Use a Blood Pressure Monitor
Regardless of what blood pressure monitor style you use, you can take your blood pressure reading from your left or right arm, wrist or finger. Typically, there is a small difference between blood pressure readings in the alternate sides. The highest reading is typically the truest, according to the Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. Stay consistent with which arm, wrist or finger you use when monitoring your blood pressure for best results. For demonstrative purposes only, we use the left arm, wrist or finger when explaining how to use the various blood pressure monitor styles below.
To get an accurate reading, relax and sit down, making sure both feet are flat on the floor. If you have been eating, smoking or exercising, wait at least 30 minutes before taking your blood pressure measurement. Try to take the measurements in a quiet place while seated in a relaxed position for the best results. It is best to record your blood pressure measurements including the date and time.
Manual Arm-Style Blood Pressure Monitor
Locate the brachial artery in your left arm. It is located approximately 1 inch (or the width of 2 fingers) above the crease of your left elbow. Put your left arm through the cuff and slide it up until the cuff is centered over the brachial artery. The top and bottom edges of the cuff should be fitted evenly and snugly around your arm. Press on (or start) and squeeze the inflation bulb until you have a reading on your display screen of 180mmHg. Your display screen will prompt you if you need to squeeze to a slightly higher value. The bulb automatically deflates after both your systolic and diastolic pressures have been measured and your blood pressure reading is displayed.
Automatic Arm-Style Blood Pressure Monitor
After you have positioned the cuff on the brachial artery in your left arm (see directions under manual monitors, above), pull the cuff so that the top and bottom edges are secured evenly around your arm. Relax your arm, turn your palm upward, press on (or start) and off you go.
Wrist-Style Blood Pressure Monitor
Sit with your left arm in front of you and your palm facing upward. Apply the cuff so that the monitor is on the inside of your left arm. The cuff's edge should be about 1/2 inch from your palm. Wrap the cuff so that the top and bottom edges are tightened evenly and snugly around your wrist. Press on (or start) and the rest happens automatically.
Finger-Style Blood Pressure Monitor
Sitting in a chair, bend your arms slightly at the elbows and hold the monitor at heart level. If a table is available, place both forearms on the table with the monitor at heart level. Insert your left finger into the finger cuff and let it rest gently on the bottom. Press the on (or start) button and the rest happens automatically.
Here's to healthy blood pressure!
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