Tonometer (sphygmomanometer) is an indispensable device for many people, allowing them to independently control their blood pressure at home. Hypertension, or, in other words, arterial hypertension, is a real scourge of our time: it very often overtakes not only the elderly, but also young people, becoming a harbinger of heart attacks and strokes. Thanks to the tonometer, you can always "keep your finger on the pulse", in a calm, comfortable environment, measuring the pressure exactly as many times as required. If you are wondering how to choose a tonometer, our article will help you focus on the ideal version of the device for you.
Contents:
- In a semi-automatic tonometer, air is pumped into the cuff using a rubber bulb, and bleeding is done automatically.
- In an automatic tonometer, all operations, respectively, are carried out only automatically. This is an ideal choice if you do not have the skills to measure blood pressure. Models are made to be worn on both the wrist and the forearm. The latter demonstrate the most stable and accurate results, but they are also generally more expensive than all the others.
- If you have severe hypertension, persistent problems with the heart and blood vessels, pay attention to devices with memory function. They remember the previous measurements.
- If you need to take your blood pressure medications on time, get a tonometer with an alert timer.
- PAD technology diagnoses pulse arrhythmias by measuring blood pressure. In case of an unstable heartbeat, the system informs about it with the corresponding icon on the screen.
- MAM technology helps to calculate the average by automatically analyzing the last three measurements.
- The Fuzzy Logic system selects the optimal level of air injection depending on the individual characteristics of the person.
- Intelligent logic systems such as Intellisense or IQ System reduce measurement time, minimize the likelihood of injury to the arteries of the hand, and save batteries.
- The ability to work from the mains through the adapter is very important, because with discharged batteries, the tonometer often shows an incorrect result.
- The clock and calendar will be useful.
Types of blood pressure monitors
All blood pressure monitors available on the medical equipment market can divided into two main groups - mechanical and electronic (which, in turn, are represented by automatic and semi-automatic models).
1. Mechanical tonometer
Such devices can be seen in most medical institutions. To use them, you need to have certain skills, have good hearing and vision. The measurement of pressure independently occurs as follows: you need to put on yourself a cuff, take a rubber bulb in your free hand, fix the pressure gauge at the level of the heart and observe its readings, while listening to the noises using a phonendoscope. It is very difficult to do this without the proper skill.
Although mechanical instruments are fairly simple in design, when used correctly they provide very accurate and consistent results. An important factor is the low price of the device.
2. Electronic tonometer
In electronic tonometers, the measurement readings are displayed in digital form on the display of the device. Such devices are divided into automatic and semi-automatic. Their undoubted advantage is that they do not require the use of a phonendoscope.
Advantages and disadvantages of mechanical and electronic tonometers
Type of tonometer | Advantages | Disadvantages | Cost |
Mechanical | Low cost. The most accurate device in the hands of an experienced user, a medical professional. High reliability of the tonometer. Blood pressure can be measured if symptoms of arrhythmia are present. Well suited for young people (provided they know how to use it) | Both inflation and bleeding are done manually. You need a phonendoscope to measure. The device is not suitable for patients with visual and hearing impairments, the elderly. The direct participation of a person is required at all stages of measurement, which introduces some error into the results. Self-measurement can become problematic, certain skills and knowledge of the algorithm of actions are required | 400-900 rubles. |
Electronic: | Measures and heart rate, and pressure, does not require the use of a phonendoscope. The role of a person in the process of measuring pressure is minimized. High measurement accuracy. The measurement result is shown in digital form on the display. The device has a memory function for recording results and tracking changes | Quite a high price for many models. Probability of breakage | |
Semi-automatic | Fairly affordable price. The device operates on batteries. It does not have an electric motor, therefore, the energy consumption is low | The pear is manually inflated (air is pumped mechanically), which requires some effort and can be difficult for the elderly. In addition, the pear is often of poor quality (it does not lend itself well to squeezing), not adapted for simple and quick work. Using such a tonometer requires certain skills. Quite low stability of the result for many devices | 800-1500 rubles. |
Automatic | Convenient operating principle: the built-in compressor automatically regulates the pressure in the cuff, independently pumping and bleeding air. Lack of a mechanical element - a rubber bulb. Comfort in use. Pulse and blood pressure are measured quickly and easily. High stability of measurement results. Well suited for the elderly, patients with arrhythmias. Providing diagnostic information in a convenient form. Memory block for 20-50 last measurements | Highest price. Batteries can fail quickly as the electric motor consumes a lot of energy. Not all enabled features are actively used. The device is heavier than analogs with a rubber bulb, has large dimensions | |
a) wrist | More suitable for active young people under 40, athletes (allows you to monitor the pulse during training). The use of such a tonometer does not require special skills | The error of the result is quite high. The device should not be chosen by people with pronounced atherosclerosis of the vessels (the vessels on the wrist are smaller and thicken faster). When measuring, the wrist with the device must be held in the region of the heart or the procedure must be performed lying horizontally (to minimize the error) | 1500-2000 rubles. |
b) on the forearm | Low degree of error in the result (a large artery is compressed by the cuff). Ideal for the elderly | The most expensive type of device | 2500-3000 rubles. |
Air blower: bulb or compressor?
So, we have already found out that any tonometer necessarily contains an element for injecting air into the cuff. Mechanical and semi-automatic devices use a rubber bulb, while fully automatic devices use a compressor for this purpose. What features of the supercharger should be paid special attention to?
Pear
The quality of the rubber bulb is an important parameter on which the convenience of using the tonometer depends. Before buying, check how easy and quick it is to pump air with its help, whether the hand gets very tired during this procedure.
Compressor
The correct operation of the tonometer depends on the condition of the compressor. This element can account for up to 80% of the cost of the entire device. If for some reason it is difficult for you to use a tonometer with a pear, then an apparatus with a compressor will help you out.
Tonometer cuff
The cuff is one of the most important elements of any pressure measuring device. It should be noted that its price is also very high. Surprisingly, in some models, it is capable of up to half the cost of the entire tonometer. With regular use, the cuff is constantly exposed to increased mechanical stress, since it is filled with forced air to the stop. This is the "weak point" of any tonometer, since it is this very element that very often fails. To minimize this risk, choose a cuff that matches your body size and is not too tight in girth.
Tonometer cuffs are available in different sizes depending on whether the device is intended for the wrist or the forearm. Usually, the cuffs are divided into small, medium and large (S, M and L, respectively). For example, when choosing a tonometer on the forearm, you must first measure the diameter of the arm circumference between the elbow and the shoulder. For the S cuff, it is usually 18-22 cm, for the M cuff - 22-32 cm, L - 32-45 cm. Please note that most blood pressure monitors on the market are equipped with medium (M) length cuffs.
The limiting arm coverage should be recorded in the passport attached to the device (usually this parameter is presented in both centimeters and inches). Having measured the coverage of your arm with a tailor's meter, you can find out which cuff option is optimal for you. It is very convenient if there is a metal fixing ring on the cuff - it allows you to easily put the tonometer on your hand without any assistance.
Additional functions and capabilities
Many automatic blood pressure monitors are equipped with convenient functionality to make the use of the device more comfortable.
Passport of the tonometer, warranty service
It should be remembered that it is better to purchase the tonometer only from official dealers, in large stores selling medical equipment, or in pharmacies. Buying such a device in a dubious store or on the market is a very risky event.
The tonometer must be accompanied by a passport in Russian, containing detailed information about the manufacturer and the device, as well as the seal of the metrologist and a warranty card.
If necessary, you can always contact the service center by calling the hotline, which must also be recorded in your passport.
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