Blood Pressure Monitors: Comparing Home and Commericial Systems

Millions of people suffer from different heart diseases in the United States. Like other diseases, the best protection against heart disease is prevention, which can be achieved through constant monitoring of one’s health.

The American Heart Association and other health institutes highly recommend that those suffering from high blood pressure invest in blood pressure systems for their homes. Home monitoring units have both advantages as well as disadvantages. Home units are more affordable, convenient and portable. It further saves time and money since a patient would need fewer trips to the doctor. The main downside to home units is that they are less accurate than commercial units and are often operated by individuals without any medical background or training.

Nevertheless, home units are valuable since it can serve as an early warning device and prevent serious complications from ever happening. In addition, clinical tests may also cause undue stress on some patients and distort the results. In these cases, home testing can provide a clearer picture of a patient’s true condition.

Home units allow patients to keep track of the effects of their treatment and changes in lifestyle have on their condition. Seeing blood pressure improvements – or deterioration – regularly may help motivate a patient towards better health.

Home blood pressure systems are available in most pharmacies, medical supply stores, and internet sites. These units are mainly composed of an inflatable cuff that wraps around an arm and a gauge that relates a numerical measurement of blood pressure. Some will include a stethoscope for listening to the blood flow through the arteries near the elbow. This method requires an operator to know what sounds to listen for in order to get accurate measurements. In contrast, digital home units have built-in sensors that measure everything automatically.

Documenting blood pressure measurements would help a doctor in formulating a tailor-made treatment for a patient. It is also best to consult a doctor prior to purchasing a home system to get advice on which product is best suited to an individual’s needs.

There are also commercial blood pressure monitors for those who want to frequently monitor their condition without going to a doctor but are not in need of home monitoring systems. Like home units, commercial blood monitoring systems have their own set of pros and cons.

Commercial units are typically more accurate because they are of higher quality (and price) compared to home units. They are not as convenient and portable as home units but you are not required to pay a lump sum to use it. Commercial monitoring systems are often set in high traffic and accessible public places such as pharmacies, health clubs, corporate wellness centers, and even supermarkets.

There are various types of blood pressure monitoring units to suit the different needs and situations of each patient. The most important thing is for a patient to act upon the information these monitoring equipments may provide and lead a healthier life.