Blood Pressure Measurement

Reliable Blood Pressure Monitors for Precise Measurements

Measuring blood pressure is an integral part of general diagnostics examinations. Blood pressure is the pressure with which blood circulates through the arteries. This value is measured in millimeters of mercury (mmHg). Blood pressure is an important vital sign which enables doctors to diagnose hypotension (low blood pressure) or hypertension (high blood pressure). This examination is usually performed by healthcare professionals, but patients may also be asked to monitor their blood pressure regularly at home themselves.

A blood pressure monitor consists of a pressure cuff which is connected via a tube to an analog or digital measuring device. This cuff is placed around the upper arm or wrist. It is important that the cuff is always at the same height as your heart. Inflating the cuff collapses the artery. When the cuff’s pressure falls, you will be able to hear a pounding sound (the so-called Korotkoff sounds) with your stethoscope. The measuring device can record these sounds and the heart rate directly.

Blood pressure values

There are two values that can be obtained when measuring blood pressure: the systolic pressure, which indicates the pressure in your arteries when your heart beats; and the diastolic pressure, which indicates the pressure in your arteries when your heart rests between beats. A medical standard value considers a systolic pressure of 120 and a diastolic one of 80 to be the optimal blood pressure when your body is relaxed.

Which blood measurement monitor should I purchase?

Healthcare professionals at clinics or doctor’s offices usually use analog or manual upper arm blood pressure monitors, also called manometers or aneroid blood pressure monitors, in combination with stethoscopes. An electronic blood pressure monitor can also be useful in some cases, for example if you want to digitally record the measured values along with other information such as the measurement’s date and time. These monitors can store the data over a time period, hereby enabling a more detailed analysis. Our blood pressure monitors are all particularly designed for everyday use at work, be it at a clinic or a doctor's office. If the attending doctor asks patients to check their blood pressure regularly, it is essential for them to buy a blood pressure monitor for private use. This will usually be the case if physicians diagnose high blood pressure, diabetes, or heart diseases. Digital blood pressure monitors for the upper arm or wrist are usually the recommended device for such private use, thanks to their user-friendly design.

Upper arm blood pressure monitors

Upper arm blood pressure monitors are considered to be more precise and less prone to errors. Since the upper arm has larger vessels and is next to the heart, the blood flow there is generally better than at the wrist. This method also automatically measures at the same height as your heart. Patients who are dependent on extremely accurate values or suffer from serious problems such as high or low blood pressure should use upper arm blood pressure monitors. This recommendation also applies to people with underlying arterial diseases, mainly elderly people and those with Parkinson. At doctors' offices and clinics, measuring blood pressure on the upper arm is considered a gold standard. When measuring blood pressure at home, upper arm digital blood pressure monitors score thanks to their large display, which makes reading and operating easier, especially for older patients. We recommend: The boso Medicus X was chosen Stiftung Warentest’s (a German consumer organization) winner in 2020 for the third year in a row.

Wrist blood pressure monitors

Measuring with wrist blood pressure monitors is particularly suitable for patients who only occasionally take their blood pressure and for whom slight irregularities in the mmHg values are permissible. In these cases, wrist blood pressure measurement can be sufficient, making it unnecessary to purchase a usually more expensive upper arm blood pressure monitor. Moreover, the wrist blood pressure monitors’ small size makes them perfect to use them flexibly and easily on the go. In 2020, Stiftung Warentest chose boso's medistar+ blood pressure monitor the winner in price-performance-ratio in its category.

Digital or manual blood pressure monitors

Digital, manual, upper arm, wrist: what exactly is the difference? In simple terms: “digital” and “manual” respectively refer to the monitor’s technology, while “upper arm” and “wrist" describe where the blood pressure is measured.

Digital blood pressure measurement

Digital and electronic blood pressure monitors are available in both upper arm and wrist variations. They are easy to use, making them suitable for not only health professionals, but also for private use. Digital blood pressure monitors offer the advantage of analyzing and evaluating the measured value directly, which is convenient for laypeople. In addition, electronic blood pressure monitors usually feature more advanced functions, such as detecting cardiac arrhythmias. There are also some devices specially designed for professional medical use, like the boso’s carat professional blood pressure monitor, which comes in various cuffs sizes. Of course, our blood pressure monitors are also ideal for use at home.

Manual blood pressure measurement

Measuring blood pressure manually is “old faithful” for all health professionals and is performed exclusively on the upper arm. Manual blood pressure monitors determine blood pressure analogously with a manometer and a stethoscope. Our customers favorites are boso’s clinicus I and the clinicus II and DocCheck’s “Pffft” single-lumen blood pressure monitor.

24-hour blood pressure monitoring

Measuring patients’ blood pressure continuously over a longer time period is often necessary. A 24-hour blood pressure monitor will be used in these cases. Oscillometric blood pressure measurement monitors use a microprocessor which records and evaluates pressure fluctuation. This kind of method is particularly useful for long-term recordings and has the advantage of not needing stethoscopes, microphones, or electrodes to function.

ABI systems

ABI systems are designed for detecting peripheral artery diseases, also known as PADs. Depending on the manufacturer and device, you will be able to check out the ankle-branchial index (ABI) and the pulse wave velocity (PWV). This will make your predictions on heart attacks, mortality, and strokes more reliable.

Accessories for blood pressure monitors

Do you need fitting accessories or spare parts for your blood pressure monitor? No worries, you will find what you are looking for here! We offer a wide range of other diagnostic instruments as well as accessories – blood pressure cuffs, tripods, wall mount kits, cases, patient belts, protective covers, and much more!

Purchase blood pressure monitors from DocCheck Shop

Whether you are looking for a manual or a digital blood pressure monitor, for measuring on the wrist or on the upper arm: On DocCheck Shop, you will find medical equipment from renowned brand manufacturer such as boso, Omron, or ERKA. Purchase these online for your clinic or home and enjoy many advantages, like our fast delivery, top customer service, and highest quality standards! DocCheck Shop also offers attractive student discounts!