How does a blood pressure monitor work?
A blood pressure monitor offers very simple - but very clever - technology. Put simply, the cuff cuts off the circulation in the brachial artery before slowly deflating, and the vibrations of the vascular wall are used to provide the readings. There are two measurements: systolic and diastolic blood pressure. A normal blood pressure reading is below 140/90, but with some medical conditions your blood pressure should ideally be less than 130/80.
How to choose the best blood pressure monitor
The most important aspect of a blood pressure monitor is to choose one with a cuff that fits well. Too loose and it won’t inflate sufficiently; too tight and it won’t fit properly. Either way, the reading will be inaccurate. You should also look for accreditations and recommendations from medical bodies like the British Heart Foundation, so you can be confident the blood pressure monitor will be as reliable as possible. Another useful feature is memory for storing previous results to keep track of any changes over time.
Are at-home blood pressure monitors accurate?
At home blood pressure monitors are generally accurate, providing they are from a reputable manufacturer and accredited. The biggest cause of inaccurate readings is incorrect placement of the cuff. Be sure to read the instructions thoroughly to ensure you are using your blood pressure monitor correctly.
What’s the best blood pressure monitor to buy?
Medical professionals highly recommend the Omron brand. Of all the brand’s offerings, we think the Omron X3 Comfort Home Blood Pressure Monitor is the best all-rounder.
How we chose our recommendations
Because we know nothing beats a recommendation from a real parent, first we headed to the Mumsnet threads to see what blood pressure monitors Mumsnetters recommend. We then read other ‘best buy’ lists and reviews on the internet, and considered our choices in terms of reliability and value for money.
Why you should trust us
We work hard to provide unbiased, independent advice you can trust. We do sometimes earn revenue through affiliate (click-to-buy) links in our articles. This helps us fund more helpful articles like this one.