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Blood Pressure Monitors -
Are They Accurate?
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For example, in a major report, the
US Pharmacist journal found that home monitors from the leading
manufacturers performed extremely well. Stating that "accuracy should be the
primary goal for device selection", it especially recommended units from
Omron and A&D Medical/LifeSource. It also said that "high-quality,
clinically tested monitors" came from Lumiscope, Mark of Fitness, Panasonic
and Samsung.
And it commented:
The most critical function that manufacturers of home blood pressure
monitors are continually refining is accuracy. This industry has
historically lacked strict guidelines for manufacturing and overall
performance. A device can give inaccurate data for a number of reasons.
Operator error and device malfunctions are the most common. Patient
counseling that reinforces the importance of correctly using and maintaining
a monitor may prevent errors.
In fact, in some cases the accuracy of home monitors is superior to the
reading from your own doctor.
The reason is of course the phenomenon of "white coat hypertension",
whereby certain patients experience a degree of nervousness in the doctor's
surgery, with a consequent elevation in their blood pressure readings. Back
home the reading is normal.
It should also be noted that taking one's own blood pressure on a regular,
frequent basis can yield important information to the doctor. And the
practise of taking regular readings at home can also help hypertension
sufferers to understand the importance of discipline in managing their
problems.
The Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation (AAMI) sets
standards for blood pressure monitors, although it is still permissible for
devices that have not met these standards to be marketed. So look for a
label declaring that the unit you are interested in purchasing has met the
standard.
In fact, some manufacturers take pride in exceeding the AAMI standards.
Thus,
A&D
Medical writes:
LifeSource blood pressure monitors exceed accuracy standards set by the
Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation. The AAMI
requires that monitors be accurate even after 10,000 inflations.
And
Omron states:
All models...are clinically proven accurate. Pressure is plus or minus
three millimeters of mercury or two percent of reading. Pulse is plus or
minus five percent of reading. This meets or exceeds the AAMI standards.
Exercising normal levels of commonsense in their purchase, and learning how
to use it correctly, consumers can feel confident that their blood pressure
monitor will indeed prove accurate.
* Get up-to-date information and the latest prices on blood pressure monitors.
Blood Pressure Resources Articles
Reviews
LifeSource
UA-767 Auto-Inflate Blood Pressure Monitor
LifeSource UB-328 Wrist Auto
Inflate Blood Pressure Monitor
Lumiscope Blood
Pressure Monitors
Mark of
Fitness Blood Pressure Monitors
Mark of Fitness
MF-81 Wrist Blood Pressure Monitor
Omron HEM-432
Manual Blood Pressure Monitor
Omron HEM-711AC Automatic Blood Pressure Monitor
Omron HEM-711DLX
Automatic Blood Pressure Monitor
Omron HEM-712C
Automatic Blood Pressure Monitor
Omron HEM-773AC
Automatic Blood Pressure Monitor
Omron
HEM-780 Auto-Inflate Blood Pressure Monitor
Omron HEM-790IT
Automatic Blood Pressure Monitor
Omron Wrist Blood
Pressure Monitors
Panasonic Blood Pressure Monitors
Panasonic EW3111W
Precise Logic Upper Arm Blood Pressure Monitor
RESPeRATE
Blood Pressure Lowering Device
Samsung Blood Pressure
Monitors
WrisTech Blood
Pressure Monitor
Ambulatory Blood
Pressure Monitors - An Introduction
Best Blood Pressure
Monitors
Consumer
Reports and Blood Pressure Monitors
Guide to Buying the Best Home
Blood Pressure Monitor
Home Blood Pressure Monitors -
Are They Accurate?
Home Blood Pressure Monitors
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Manual
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Omron Blood Pressure
Monitors - Why Are They So Popular?
Talking Blood Pressure Monitors
Technology Award for LifeSource Telemedicine Blood Pressure Monitors
Welch Allyn Blood Pressure
Monitors
Wrist Blood Pressure
Monitors - Should I Buy One?
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