A tonometer is what? How to choose a tonometer: advice and feedback from doctors

The tonometer is an indispensable assistant for people suffering from hypertension. Use it for timely diagnosis of blood pressure changes, especially during pregnancy. Apply a tonometer and in pediatrics. Therefore, the presence of such a device will not be superfluous in the home medicine cabinet. From our article you will find out what kinds of tonometers exist and what to do when choosing a device.

Types of tonometers

Tonometers are classified by the way of inflating air and processing information. There are the following types:

1. Mechanical. They are subdivided into 2 subspecies: a mercury tonometer and an aneroid one.
2. Semi-automatic electronic.
3. Automatic devices.

There are also shoulder tonometers, bracelets and rings.

In addition, in some categories, you can take devices for pregnant women and a baby tonometer. In principle, blood pressure can be measured by these groups of patients and any other tonometers, but some device manufacturers paid special attention to the needs of these categories of people and developed models that have additional functions for more effective and comfortable use of the tonometer by future mothers and babies.

More details about the merits and demerits of each type of tonometer will be described below.

Additional functions of individual models of tonometers

A tonometer is a device for measuring blood pressure, but additional built-in functions help determine the arrhythmia, pulse, average pressure values. Usually modern electronic models of devices possess such conveniences. Each additional function of the device is reflected in the increase in its value. When buying, pay attention to the presence of such features of the device and their need in your case. There are the following built-in functions:

1. Automatically turning off the device after a specified period of inactivity can save battery or battery life economically.
2. There are devices with built-in memory. They remember the data of previous measurements, which will help to build a graph of indicators and monitor changes in blood pressure. Some models can record the date and time of use of the device, as well as remember the measurement data of several patients. Such functions, for example, have a tonometer AND 777.
3. Many electronic tonometers can measure the pulse, some are equipped with an arrhythmia indicator. If the device recorded a rapid heart rate, then repeated blood pressure measurements are performed, since the arrhythmia affects the indices.
4. People with poor eyesight will be helped by a tonometer with voice playback of the measurement results.
5. Some models are equipped with the function of data transfer to portable devices: a computer, a laptop, a tablet, a telephone.
6. There are also so-called "smart" tonometers. They independently turn on and off, measure the pressure of a person through a given time interval, evaluate the results, conduct a schedule.

How to choose the right tonometer?

When choosing a tonometer, you must first answer a few questions:

1. Purpose, frequency and duration of use. The choice of the type of tonometer depends on the answers to the question: mechanical, semi-automatic or automatic, the need for battery operation or the presence of a network adapter, the weight of the device, and the availability of additional functions.
2. Age of the patient. For example, older people will not be able to use ring-tonometers and mechanical devices without a digital display.
3. The state of hearing and vision of the subject. It may be necessary to purchase a device with voice playback of results or a convenient wide screen.
4. Price category.
5. Rating of the manufacturer.

And one more important detail: you should choose a tonometer with a cuff suitable for the size.

Standard sizes of shoulder cuffs for tonometers

An important factor in choosing a tonometer is the presence of a suitable cuff on the shoulder. An incorrect size will result in the impossibility of measuring blood pressure or distorting the results. Cuffs of the following sizes are produced:

1. The size of S is 18-22 cm.
2. The size of M is 22-32 cm.
3. The size of L is 32-45 cm.
4. Pediatric cuffs.

Mechanical Tonometer

A mechanical aneroid tonometer is the most common type of blood pressure monitor in medical institutions. It consists of a shoulder cuff, a stethoscope or a phonendoscope for listening to heart tones and a pear that pumps up air. Depending on the model, the case of the device is metal or plastic. The size of the shoulder cuff standard - 22-32 cm. Some mechanical tonometers can measure blood pressure on both hands. The pressure relief regulators can be in the form of a screw or a button.

In addition, a mechanical pressure measuring device does not need batteries or battery charging . Price attracts consumers: from all types of tonometers, mechanical devices are the cheapest. Their average cost is 1500 rubles.

Medical workers trust the indications of this type of tonometers, considering them to be the most accurate and effective. However, for the results to be reliable, it is necessary to use the device correctly, which is extremely difficult at home for the layman. Most complications arise when listening to cardiac tones, it is especially difficult to perform the procedure for elderly people with hearing impairment.

The drawbacks can be attributed to the fact that the results of blood pressure indicators when measured by a mechanical tonometer are greatly influenced by extraneous factors, for example, by draining a cup of coffee immediately before the procedure, the patient's uncomfortable position, anxiety, pregnancy and many others. In a clinic, doctors take into account known factors when measuring pressure. But at home, it is difficult to carry out such a task without error.

Mercury Mechanical Tonometer

This type of device differs from the mechanical aneroid by the presence of a mercury scale of measurements. The mercury tonometer is currently used extremely rarely, since it is dangerous to use, especially at home.

Reviews of mechanical tonometers

As mentioned above, a mechanical device attracts consumers at an affordable price. But it has a number of drawbacks and certain difficulties in using such a tonometer. The doctors' comments indicate the following disadvantages of using such devices:

1. It's difficult to measure the pressure by such tonometers yourself, as all work needs to be done mechanically. In addition, it is necessary to inject and release air only in a certain way, without hurrying up, which is not always possible with the independent use of the apparatus.
2. A stiff pear is not always easy to squeeze in an elderly or weakened patient to a sufficient degree.
3. Measurements should be conducted in complete silence, as noise can distort results.
4. For measurement, it is necessary to accurately hit the phonendoscope membrane on the artery.

Semi-automatic Tonometer

Semi-automatic tonometers require mechanical air injection, but listen to heart tones and display the results of measurements on an electronic screen. Such devices are released to measure blood pressure on the shoulder, wrist and finger. It can be noted that a semi-automatic device with a cuff on the shoulder is a good tonometer. Reviews about such devices are mostly positive. They have high measurement accuracy, are convenient and easy to use. Some models are equipped with additional functions. It features high quality and long life of a semi-automatic pressure measuring device. Its price is about 3000 rubles.

Automatic device

In modern society, we often prefer electronic gadgets. But, getting a tonometer, this rule is worth breaking. Comments from doctors and consumers indicate inaccurate measurement results of such devices and short operation service. Electronics quickly fails, you need frequent battery replacement or battery charging. In addition, according to consumers, have an inflated cost of automatic tonometers. The price of a shoulder electronic device for measuring pressure is 5000-7000 rub. Electronic devices in the form of a bracelet on the wrist or rings are much cheaper, but the accuracy of such devices is not credible.

Have automatic tonometers and advantages:

1. The device does all the work itself: it pumps and bleeds the air, processes the indicators, displays the results on the display in a digital format.
2. The device is easy to use when traveling.
3. Measurements can be made in any conditions, since extraneous noise and other external factors do not affect the parameters of the tonometer.
4. The high-precision results of such a tonometer. The reviews indicate an error of 3-5 mm Hg. Art.

Measurement of pressure during pregnancy

Tonometers for pregnant women are a novelty in the market of pressure measuring devices. These are automatic or semi-automatic devices. By the principle of use, they are no different from other types of devices. But when measuring the pressure during pregnancy by other types of devices, the probability of deviating the measurement values to 50 ml of mercury is high. Which is a high level of error. A feature of tonometers for pregnant women is the ability to diagnose in early terms a woman's tendency to pre-eclampsia. In addition, such a device takes into account the characteristics of the woman's body during the child's bearing and minimizes the possible errors in the results of the indicators.

Microlife products have such properties. These tonometers are characterized by high precision and reliability. Clinical trials passed the model of the tonometer "Microlife BP 3VTO-A (2)". This device is an automatic tonometer with a shoulder cuff. In addition to arterial pressure, the device determines the heart rate and predisposition to pre-eclampsia. There is an arrhythmia indicator and a measurement memory function. The kit comes with 2 sizes of cuffs: M and L. The advantage of this model of the tonometer is also the ability to work both from batteries and from a network adapter. The manufacturer declares a high accuracy of the results: the error is 3 mm Hg. Art.

Children's tonometers

Children have normal blood pressure lower than adults. But this does not mean that crumbs need some special instruments for measuring the indicators. Any tonometers will do. The problem is not in the peculiarities of blood pressure in children, but in the volume of the hand. The fact is that adult cuff sizes are not suitable for a small pen, and, accordingly, measuring blood pressure in crumbs is not possible. Given such features, manufacturers of tonometers began to complete standard models of devices with additional pediatric cuffs. The sizes and types are the following:

• Neonatal cuff - 5-7,5 cm;
• Infant cuff - 8-13 cm;
• Children's - 14-20 cm.

If you are planning to measure the pressure on the child, then be sure to specify the fact that the cuff is the correct size for the tonometer. Such devices are produced under the brand Omron, Babyphone, Little Doctor. In addition to the presence of pediatric cuffs in the kit, a baby pressure tonometer produces bright colors and unusual amusing forms, which turns the medical procedure into a fun game.

However, according to the principle of operation, any children's tonometers are standard mechanical or electronic devices. The presence of pediatric cuffs and unusual shape significantly increase the cost of the device. So, the usual mechanical device will cost not less than 1500 rubles.

Reviews about the tonometers brand "Microlife"

Devices brand Microlife - tonometers, which are developed in Switzerland. This manufacturer was the first to produce in the mass production pressure measuring devices that do not contain mercury. The main activity of the brand is the development of tonometers for home use. Customer feedback indicates the high accuracy of measurement results and the longevity of the operational period of the instruments of this brand. In the series of equipment "Microlife" there are all types of tonometers: mechanical, semi-automatic and electronic. The cost differs depending on the type and built-in functions of the pressure gauge. The price of the tonometers "Microlife" is 400-600 rubles. (Mechanical device) and 2500-5000 rubles. (Electronic device).

Reviews of the Tonometer AND 777

The automated tonometer AND 777 is popular in the market. According to consumers, this device has a number of advantages:

1. Simple, comfortable use. Bright large numbers of indicators on the electronic display.
2. Determines the heart rate.
3. There is an indicator of arrhythmia.
4. A convenient color scale for interpreting the results is built-in. If the instrument shows a green color, the pressure is within normal limits, yellow indicates slight deviations, red indicates immediate medical attention.
5. Has an additional memory function for 90 measurements.
6. Intelligent control system determines the necessary level of inflation of the cuff.
7. Operates on batteries or AC adapter.
8. There is a sleep timer.

As for the price indicators, for example, the UB tonometers from the AND range cost about 4500 rubles.

Automatic blood pressure monitors of the brand Beurer

Automatic devices for measuring the pressure of the brand "Boirer" have some features. Undoubted advantage is the availability in all models of automatic devices of this brand of intelligent control system "Real Fazzi Logic", which controls the level of air injection. In addition, all electronic models have 2 memory blocks - from 30 to 60 measurements in each. Possesses and other advantages of a tonometer Beurer:

• Built-in indicator of arrhythmia;
• Determines the pulse;
• Color scale for interpretation of measurement results;
• Works on batteries or network;
• Auto power off function;
• There is a clock and a calendar;
• The "Boyerer" tonometer of the BM 19 model has the function of voice playback of the results;
• In model ВС 08 the case is waterproof;
• Measurements are accompanied by sound alerts;
• The device will indicate a violation in operation by sound signals.

Despite a number of advantages, the German apparatus for measuring the pressure of the brand "Boyerer" is not so widely popular, as consumers believe that these tonometers are automatically overpriced. The price is from 3000 to 5000 rubles. Consumers and professionals talk about the inaccuracy of the results of measurements, the large influence of external factors on the indicators, cuffs that are inconvenient in size and the lack of a network adapter.

Rules of preparation for measuring pressure

To make the measurement results reliable, it is necessary to follow certain recommendations:

1. Take a comfortable position of the body, relax for 5 minutes before taking measurements.
2. Do not drink alcoholic beverages or coffee the day before.
3. Avoid nervous tension, anxiety.
4. Carry out the procedure in silence, do not talk during the measurement.

Instructions for measuring blood pressure by a mechanical tonometer

How to measure the pressure of the tonometer mechanical? After reading the instructions for measuring pressure with a hand-held device, you can check the performance of other types of devices. Carry out the measurements as follows:

1. Secure the cuff on one shoulder with the heart. This is 3 cm above the elbow. Wrap the cuff around the arm and fix it with Velcro.
2. Insert the phonendoscope into your ears.
3. The phonendoscope enhancer should be installed on the inner fold of the elbow where the large vein passes.
4. Grab the palm of the appliance with your palm. With it, pour air into the cuff until the device begins to show a pressure higher by 40 mm Hg. Art. From the alleged.
5. Slowly open the vent valve, trying to hear the first push of blood. This is the upper, or systolic, pressure.
6. When you stop hearing clearly in the phonendoscope pulse, fix the digital numbers. This is diastolic or lower pressure.
7. Release the air completely from the cuff.
8. If necessary, repeat the measurements.

Interpretation of pressure measurement results

To interpret the results of measurements, refer to the table. But remember that the final diagnosis can only be made by a doctor.

Indicators exceeding 140/90, the doctor qualifies as an average or severe hypertension.

Give preference to proven manufacturers. So, the Japanese devices And and Omron, German Beurer and Tensoval, Swiss devices Microlife have won the trust of doctors and patients. With the right choice and application, the tonometer will become a home doctor for the whole family and will last for many years.