Wrist BP Monitors - A Warning

[MichaelJH]

When recommending BP monitors I always recommend Omron and advise buying one with an upper arm cuff rather than an wrist one. Some years ago I brought my first BP monitor, a wrist one. When a few weeks later I checked it against the GP's it was way out. The extremely pleasant GP wrote a note there and then saying it was not fit for purpose especially as I was over forty (as arteries may harden/calcify). The pharmacy swapped it out for my first Omron. My current one is five years old and checked out against the physiotherapist's NHS calibrated one two weeks ago.

Recently a friend spotted mine and I offered to check his. He said his was fine as they had one at home but agreed out of interest. Over three readings five minutes apart it averaged out to 153/87 being about 28/15 over what he expected. I suggested he buy a cuff model and chats with his GP but I am unconvinced he will.

[Heythrop51]

That sea massive difference @MichaelJH. Has your friend ever had his meter checked? My GP had a cuff one linked to their computer system in the waiting area. Hope he needs the warning.

[MountainGoat52]

My GP asked me to take my upper arm cuff monitor in for checking. After several tests, it was discovered that it read slightly higher than his calibrated machine, so he was happy for me to use it. He said wrist monitors were inaccurate. I've certainly never seen one in a doctor's surgery.

[scentedgardener]

The BHF online shop sell a variety of BP monitors, mainly upper arm cuff ones, I recently bought a new one, an Omron as it happens. I did look at some other makes, and was fascinated to see when my BP was last checked in hospital they were using one of the other brands!I bought through BHF as I was confident they wouldn't sell poor quality monitors.

[Silvertail]

I agree with you re the wrist cuffs. I don't see how smart watches can be accurate, either.

[MichaelJH Heart Star in reply to Silvertail]

And as for finger BP monitors it definitely a step too far!

[serenfach]

On me, a cuff monitor always reads a lot lower than an upper arm cuff. The GP took my blood pressure with a cuff monitor and told me everything was fine. I asked him to use an upper arm monitor and he freaked out at the result, wanting to send me to hospital then and there! I declined, went home and had a glass of that red medicine from grapes!

[TasteLessFood4Life]

I have the wrist and arm Omron models. While both are excellent machines, the wrist one has a tedency to underestimate my numbers from time to time. Also, with the Omron wrist one, there is the annoying calibration with your arm too if not done correctly, can affect the results. Not the gold standard, but pretty good with the added benefit of convenience too.