If you are looking to buy a blood pressure machine that you can use at home to monitor your own blood pressure or if you are looking to buy one for a relative or friend then you really have two basic options to choose from – an automatic blood pressure machine or a manual blood pressure machine. Both have their pros and cons, so lets take a look.
Automatic Blood Pressure Machines
An automatic blood pressure machine is the most commonly used home blood pressure monitor because of its ease of use. A fully automatic machine features a cuff that will inflate and deflate 100% automatically, all you have to do is press a button to start the process. A semi-automatic machine will need to be inflated with a hand pump but will deflate automatically. Fully automatic blood pressure machines are more popular than their semi-automatic brothers.
Another great feature that makes automatic blood pressure machines popular is that they do the ‘listening’ for you. The stethoscope is built into the cuff and is programmed to take the reading for you, so there is no need for ear pieces. When the cuff has finished deflating the reading will be conveniently recorded for you on a digital screen.
For the amazing ease of use of an automatic blood pressure machine, it does have one slight set back – the readings are not quite as accurate as a manual blood pressure machine.
Manual Blood Pressure Machines
A manual blood pressure machine, also known as an analog blood pressure machine, is the device you will see at the doctors office. It can be a little tricky to use by yourself. You will need to inflate the cuff manually with a hand pump while listening to your heart beat through the stethoscope. When you first hear your heart beat, you take the upper reading from the analog monitor while you start slowly deflating the cuff until you hear your heart beat stop and this is when you take the lower reading. This can be a little cumbersome and is better suited if you have someone to take your blood pressure for you. However, if accuracy is your prime objective then a manual blood pressure machine is your best choice.