Wrist blood pressure monitor

[jaffacake8]

Hi all. I'm looking to buying a wrist blood pressure monitor. I was diagnosed with atrial flutter and had an ablation in May of this year and also have an irregular heartbeat which the EP says is normal for me. If you use a wrist monitor and can recommend a particular one that would be appreciated.

[Buffafly]

Why do you want a wrist bp monitor?

[Mugsy15]

i share Buffafly's curiosity. It is, of course, entirely reasonable to want to monitor your blood pressure, but perhaps for reasons other than the conditions you've mentioned so far?

This is only a personal view based on direct experience, but I had a wrist BP monitor which I simply didn't trust so I bought a new one with excellent reviews online which is the battery-powered inflatable cuff type, recommended by WHO, On comparing the two I found that the wrist one was rubbish and threw it in the bin. I've taken my new one to nurse appointments and compared readings with the monitor at the surgery and it's pretty much identical. It's also compact and easily portable.

There may be reasons as yet unexplained why you can't or don't want to use the cuff type. And to be fair, others may be able to recommend wrist monitors that are accurate (mine was near the top of the price range, but it was a few years ago).

Those who are looking for a way to monitor their arrythmias (as opposed to BP) are usually advised by forum users to buy a Kardia machine, of which there are models with 2 and 6 leads at differing prices. The inventor of this gadget often comments on here.

[jaffacake8 in reply to Mugsy15]

Hi. I have only just seen your post. I'm finding the cuff BP monitor difficult to wrap and position around my arm and so decided to do some research on the wrist monitor thinking it might be easier for me to use. However, as I have found out there are differing opinions as to how accurate they are. I would like to monitor my BP and heart rate following my ablation in May for atrial flutter. I've had a quick look at the Kardia machines but must say I don't know a lot about them. I would like to monitor my arrhythmia as I get palpitations/flutters from time to time and have no way of knowing if I've gone into flutter when these occur. However, I'm not sure if the Kardia would be suitable for me. I

had a a 'funny' turn a few weeks ago with palpitations/light headedness etc and took myself off to A and E. My ECG result was sent to the EP and he said my irregular rhythm was normal for me and he was not concerned. The doctor at the hospital gave me a copy of the printout to show when I had another ECG in the future as in his words, they 'would panic' if if i didn't show this to them. I'm finding it all a bit confusing and just trying to find the best way forward to keep an eye on things. Sorry for the essay and hope this explains my situation.

[mav7 in reply to jaffacake8]

My ECG result was sent to the EP and he said my irregular rhythm was normal for me and he was not concerned.

imo, best to go with the advice of your regular EP or medical professional who is most familiar with your history.

forbes.com/health/healthy-a....

Check the above article on wrist monitors. Other articles available on the 'net. Best to go with the cuff.

[WildIris]

I use a wrist bp monitor because I had trouble wrapping the band around my arm and frequently got an error message. Took a long time, too much hassle. I think the wrist monitor is too low by as much as 5 or 10 points, (compared to the arm monitor-but some of that is probably that I am more relaxed using it) It tells me when my blood pressure is higher or lower than usual and is so easy to use that I check my bp more often. The brand is "Proven", apparently. I use it to screen for afib too, as my pulse usually goes up by about 15 bpm with afib, otherwise I can't always tell. This is consistent with the Kardia indicating aFib. The batteries are easy to change, and the device has lasted a long time.

[jaffacake8 in reply to WildIris]

Hi. Thanks for that. Can you advise me on which monitor you use plz.?

[WildIris]

the wrist cuff has a screen about 2 inches wide with the results. I don't see any brand on it, just "Proven". in fancy letters. The Skeptical Cardiologist web site recommends an upper arm cuff made by Omron called Evolv that works with Alexa (This is a simple fixed cuff, like the wrist cuff). He says that the wrist is too far from the heart for accurate bp, readings. I still like my wrist cuff because its close to my eyes .

[jaffacake8 in reply to WildIris]

Thank you.

[Mugsy15]

i never wrap or adjust the cuff on my BP monitor. I have it velcroed together at all times so that it slips easily up my arm to roughly an inch above my elbow and is snug there.

I then inflate it. After it deflates, it slips back down my arm.

If you're the only user there is never any need to unwrap it.