Anyone with high blood pressure (usually 130/80 mmHg or greater) should check their blood pressure at home, according to the American Heart Association. Regular monitoring can help your doctor confirm your diagnosis and adjust your treatment strategy. It is important to remember that blood pressure monitoring shouldn’t take the place of routine medical checkups or prevent you from taking your prescription drugs and engaging in your regular activities.
Since high (or low) blood pressure can result in consequences such as a heart attack, stroke, renal disease, eyesight loss, and other illnesses, you must manage your high blood pressure. We spoke with cardiologists to identify the most precise and user-friendly gadgets so that you might pick a trustworthy monitor for your house.
Who should be tracking their blood pressure?
“Blood pressure is a useful measure of general health, so really anyone can,” Doctor continued. Along with other fundamental health indicators like A1C (an average blood sugar metric that screens for diabetes) and lipids (information about cholesterol), she emphasized that some people might believe that blood pressure is something to be concerned about only as one ages.
However, anyone who has been told to frequently check their blood pressure should, especially those who have been diagnosed with hypertension. More home monitoring may be beneficial for some populations that are more susceptible to potentially harmful problems including high blood pressure.
Given the likelihood of the condition, a dangerous and sometimes lethal illness involving elevated blood pressure during pregnancy, the doctor recommended that anybody considering becoming pregnant begin monitoring their blood pressure. doctor also suggested monitoring blood pressure after delivery for women who experienced elevated blood pressure during pregnancy.
Best Blood Pressure Monitors
1. Omron Complete Wireless Upper Arm Blood Pressure Monitor + EKG
The brand that emergency medicine specialists and cardiologists most frequently suggest to their patients is Omron, if you were wondering. Our specialists all concur that Omron is exceptional in terms of precision and caliber. “I suggest Omron’s at-home blood pressure monitors. “I find that Omron’s monitors are the most accurate and easy to use,” says Sharayne Mark, MD, FACC, a general cardiologist at Cardiology Consultants of Philadelphia.
Our editor was impressed by the Omron Complete BP7900’s simple setup, robust travel case, and quick and simple Bluetooth app connection during testing. You know exactly where to search for previous data because the software keeps track of your test history and guides you through each feature. To accommodate more people, this monitor also features a comfortable cuff that stretches to a full 17 inches, which is larger than normal cuff sizes. The fact that this blood pressure monitor provides EKG data, which our editor didn’t even realize he needed, pleasantly surprised him.
Past readings are not shown on the gadget itself, but the free software, which provides limitless cloud storage, makes the data easily accessible. Additionally, it is a little heavy, which is not ideal if you have to carry your monitor around a lot. The Greater Goods Smart Pro-Series Blood Pressure Monitor, our choice for the best portable monitor, might be a better choice for you if you’re looking for a device that’s more portable (and you’re prepared to forgo the EKG readings).
Product Details:
HSA/FSA Eligible?: Yes
Type: Upper arm
Features: 9- to 17-inch cuff
EKG readings
Free app
2. A&D Medical UltraConnect Wireless Upper Arm Blood Pressure Monitor (UA-1200BLE)
Lyons suggests A&D Medical as well. We were able to understand why after evaluating the UltraConnect Wireless blood pressure monitor. Our editor was impressed by this monitor’s compact size, comfy cuff, and dependably accurate readings. The monitor and cuff are tiny enough to fit into a compact travel bag, even though it doesn’t come with a travel case.
The most alluring feature of this display, though, is its app capabilities. As long as you follow the instructions, our editor adores how easy and quick it is to set up the app. He says, “The app does all the work for you and updates automatically with no delays at all.” Along with calculating your average daily readings, the app includes a helpful symbol key to make it easier to comprehend your data.
If you have trouble using a mobile device, this might not be the ideal option for you because this monitor requires the app to function. Additionally, the cuff is a little big, so small arms might not fit it well.
Product Details:
HSA/FSA Eligible?: Yes
Type: Upper arm
Features: Quick readings
Automatic data syncing
Portability
3. Greater Goods 0634 Smart Pro-Series Blood Pressure Monitor
Following testing, our editor concluded that the Greater Goods Smart Pro-Series blood pressure monitor is essentially a scaled-down version of the Omron, which is our top choice based on expert recommendations, but without the EKG feature. This monitor has a free app, just like Omron, and it connects quickly and easily. Our editor thought this choice was quite accurate and reliable, and the cuff’s extremely secure strap may further aid with accuracy. The Greater Good blood pressure monitor, like the Equate 4000 Series, features color-coded readings to make it easier to interpret your results. In terms of obtaining your findings, it is dependable, easy to use, and fast.
However, this monitor’s greatest feature is that it’s portable, making it a fantastic choice if you need to take your blood pressure while on the road. Although it can fit in tiny luggage, if you would want to carry it separately, a handle-equipped travel case is included.
The Dario Blood Pressure Monitoring System, on the other hand, was excellent for traveling, according to our testing. However, if you’re constantly on the road, we still suggest the Greater Goods monitor because the buttons are confusing and the display seems antiquated.
For more in-depth readings, the screen size might be best employed.
Product Details:
HSA/FSA Eligible?: Yes
Type: Upper arm
Features: Small size
Sturdy carrying case
