Blood Pressure Monitor for the Wrist
High blood pressure over a long period is dangerous. Heart attack and stroke can be the consequences of undetected hypertension. Although one in three adults suffers from
hypertension at some point in their life, many people remain unaware of it for years. Regularly measuring blood pressure helps to recognize and treat the danger.
A comfortable way to monitor your blood pressure yourself is provided by a wrist blood pressure monitor. The devices available on the market are generally very comfortable, easy to use, and read. Unlike
upper arm monitors there is no need to free an arm. Please note that you should sit quietly for at least 5 minutes before measuring. Measure on the wrist that shows the higher values. The measurement itself is quite simple: sit comfortably without crossing your legs, place the blood pressure monitor on your wrist, close the Velcro strap, and position your arm as relaxed as possible so that the wrist with the monitor is at heart level. The measurement point at heart level is extremely important for an accurate measurement! If necessary, use a cushion or something similar for support. Turn the device on with the push of a button and wait. The cuff will automatically inflate, and then the air pressure in the cuff will slowly decrease, allowing the systolic and diastolic values as well as the pulse to be recorded. At the end of the measurement, a signal tone usually sounds. The remaining air escapes, and the recorded values can be read. Depending on the device, 30, 60, or more measurements are stored. This makes it possible to document the values later under BloodPressureDB, enter them in a blood pressure pass, or take the device to the next doctor's appointment so that the doctor can check the success of the current treatment.
Some monitors indicate whether they are at the correct heart level. These monitors only start measuring when the correct height is reached. Devices with USB connections offer the possibility to save the values on the computer and print them as a list or graph. Devices with Bluetooth functionality allow for direct transmission of the values to an app. With some monitors, direct transmission of the values to the BloodPressureDB app is possible.
Prices for a wrist blood pressure monitor start at around 10 and can go over 100 . Regular self-monitoring with a wrist blood pressure monitor provides a good overview of blood pressure trends when used correctly. In contrast to self-measurement, many people's blood pressure automatically rises at the sight of a doctor. This "
white coat effect" is not present during self-measurement at home, and the recommended rest before measuring is easier to maintain at home.
Sources:
By
Sabine Croci.
This article is medically reviewed. Last updated (12/2023).
Information on the website and within the app cannot replace a consultation with a doctor, but can certainly complement it.
We hope you found the article on the topic helpful. Correct measurement is very important for good blood pressure management. Our app BloodPressureDB helps with that. Concrete explanations guide you through a guideline-compliant measurement.
The app also reminds you if you wish. These features are also fully available in the free version.
Get the free app now.
Our offering meets the afgis transparency criteria. The afgis logo stands for high-quality health information on the internet.
