Blood Pressure Monitors
Blood pressure monitors come in a wide range of sizes and prices ranging from $29.99 to several hundred dollars. Blood pressure monitors measure pressure exerted on the walls of arteries every time the heart contracts and pumps blood around the body.
In the last ten or twenty years, blood pressure monitors have been cropping up in drug stores and other public places as a public service. The importance of fit blood pressure is increasingly recognized. Companies and individuals now invest in monitors to measure blood pressure on a regular basis.
Blood pressure explained
It is generally agreed that normal blood pressure is 120/80 mmHg. The two numbers are a measurement of force of blood against the walls of the arteries. The first number is called systolic blood pressure. This indicates the lowest pressure that remains in the arteries in between pumps of the heart. The second number, the “diastolic” is the maximum pressure exerted by a pump of the heart.
A blood pressure reading of 140/90 or more is considered high blood pressure or what is called hypertension. A reading of 90/60 or lower is low blood pressure or hypotension. If you are even close to either of these ranges you should consult a physician.
Types of blood pressure monitors
For those who are concerned about their blood pressure, there are a number of types of blood pressure monitors. These include:
- manual inflation blood pressure monitors. These are affordable and accurate. The cuff is inflated manually and blood pressure reads out on a digital monitor.
- automatic inflation blood pressure monitors. The cuff inflates automatically and the unit holds the last reading in memory.
- portable wrist blood pressure. These are great for active adults. They can go anywhere and perform all the duties of a regular blood pressure monitor.
- finger blood pressure monitor. Easy to use: just slip it on your finger.
Some fine companies that make blood pressure monitors are Omron, Lifesource and Lumiscope.
