Automatic tonometers: which is better? Feedback and recommendations of specialists

After forty years, doctors recommend that you regularly monitor your blood pressure. This applies even to those who have never had health problems at all. Regular pressure surges require daily monitoring of indicators, which will help in time to prevent the occurrence of certain complex cardiovascular diseases. Correctly selected tonometer will facilitate monitoring of indicators of your pressure.

What is a tonometer and what it is?

A tonometer is a device that is designed to measure the level of blood pressure. That is, the indicators of the tonometer give information about the conformity of the measured values to the norms established for the human body. Elevated or decreased rates in comparison with the norm may indicate the development of diseases. Usually abnormalities are accompanied by such symptoms: headache, dizziness, nausea. Control of blood pressure indicators will help to avoid poor health.

The modern market of medical devices provides the buyer with a wide range of tonometers. They differ not only in their functionality, but in the dimensions, price and quality of the materials used.

By design, there are several types of tonometers: mechanical, semi-automatic and automatic. Each species has its own positive and negative sides. The most accurate and reliable are automatic tonometers. Which is better to choose the type of tonometer you need to determine based on the characteristics of each model and their capabilities. The cost of the device for some is the determining parameter in its choice, since not everyone can afford to purchase an expensive branded model.

Briefly on mechanical and semi-automatic tonometers

Mechanical tonometers can rightly be called accurate and reliable instruments. They consist of a cuff, a phonendoscope, a pumping pear and a dial. With the proper quality of materials used in the manufacture of mechanical tonometers, these devices can last very long. The most unreliable elements of this type are rubber tubes from the pear to the cuff. Over time, they crack and burst. But the cost of their replacement is much lower than the purchase of the device itself.

The availability of mechanical tonometers makes them very popular among buyers. One of the significant shortcomings is the long time of measurement and the complexity of use. To use such a device you need to have a good hearing, which is a big rarity among the elderly. Also this model is not suitable for independent measurements.

Semi-automatic tonometers refer to electronic devices and from mechanical ones differ in that the measurement is carried out automatically, and the inflation of the air in the cuff must be done manually. For the elderly, this option is more preferable, since it does not require the presence of good hearing. This option is more convenient to use, but its price will be slightly higher than that of mechanical ones.

Features of automatic tonometers

The main difference between automatic tonometers and other types of device is the presence of a compressor, which serves as a supercharger of air in the cuff. This makes the measurement process easier and faster. A significant disadvantage of these models is their cost. Not everyone can afford to purchase an expensive device. But sometimes it is better to buy a quality device once, which will last a long time.

The best automatic tonometers have everything you need to make life easier for a person. Convenience of use is the main advantage of electronic automatic devices. For people who lead an active lifestyle, often traveling, such models are the most suitable. They are more compact in comparison with other types of tonometers, and they are easier to take with you.

The presence of an automatic tonometer allows a person to lead a habitual way of life and, at the same time, monitor their health. For some, it is vital to always have a reliable device with you that can measure blood pressure. Also to advantages of automatic models it is possible to attribute speed of measurement, after all sometimes, especially at work, so it is difficult to allocate time for itself.

The components of the automatic tonometer

When selecting a blood pressure monitor, you should pay attention to all the components of the device. From their quality depends not only the accuracy of the measurement, but also the service life of the product. If some components of the device are purchased separately, it should be remembered that all components must be of the same company. This will avoid a large error in the results.

When choosing a blood pressure monitor, you first need to pay attention to the size of the cuff and the material from which it was made. The stronger the material, the longer the cuff will last. In size, children's cuffs are distinguished, medium and large. If the cuff size does not match the volume of the hand during the pressure measurement, there is an inaccuracy in the indications, and even painful sensations (the cuff is smaller than necessary). Models with a universal cuff have a large error of indications. Velcro on the cuff should be high-quality and well-fastened, otherwise it can be unfastened in the process. For self-measurement, there are models with a locking ring, which allows you to quickly and correctly put on the cuff.

As an air blower in the cuff, automatic models are equipped with a compressor. Unlike the rubber pear, which is equipped with mechanical and semi-automatic options, the compressor much faster fills the cuff, thereby reducing the time spent on the measurement. The amount of inflated air in the cuff is determined by the Fuzzy algorithm. For a quick bleeding of air, the cuff has an air release valve.

The indicators taken by the device are displayed on the electronic display. Many modern models have artificial intelligence, which significantly reduces the error of the automatic tonometer. With its help, the device will be able to calculate and display the average pressure indicators and take into account some of the individual characteristics of the organism.

What are automatic tonometers? Which is better?

Automatic tonometers are distinguished by the place of measurement of pressure. The automatic tonometer on the shoulder is designed to measure pressure above the elbow. This is the most popular type.

Such devices are also distinguished by the size of the cuff. Correctly selected cuff volume affects the accuracy of the results obtained. A tonometer with a cuff from 22 cm to 32 cm in size is suitable for an average hand. Tonometers with an enlarged cuff allow adjusting its volume to 42 cm. A cuff with a volume of up to 22 cm is suitable for measuring pressure in children or people of medium size. Usually the device is completed with a cuff of average length, but in order to use the whole family with one tonometer, you can separately purchase a small and large cuff.

If the volume of a person's hand does not allow him to apply a shoulder cuff, then use a tonometer on his wrist. They are compact in size and ideal for measuring pressure by athletes. The ease of use and ease of use allows you to take it with you on the road or on sports training. In addition to measuring pressure, wrist tonometers also give information about the pulse rate.

Sometimes during pressure measurement a person can feel discomfort and even pain when squeezing a cuff. Tonometers on the wrist minimize all the unpleasant sensations in the measurement process. The digital display of such a tonometer is fixed on the cuff, which makes it possible to use the device and monitor the indicators during training. It can also be used in medical centers for the convenience of carrying out some load tests.

Some manufacturers offer devices that allow you to measure pressure on your finger, but they are not recommended by specialists, since they have low accuracy. The best automatic tonometers, which can be found on specialized forums, have a minimum error. The most accurate are the tonometers with the cuff on the shoulder.

Additional functions of electronic automatic tonometers

Modern medical devices, for example, such as automatic "Omron" tonometers, have a number of additional functions. They significantly expand the capabilities of the device and the scope of its use. Many well-known manufacturers of medical equipment try to take into account all human needs when developing new models of tonometers.

Devices with an arrhythmia indicator are able to record and display irregular heartbeats. Several well-known companies specializing in medical equipment produce instruments that have different techniques for determining arrhythmia. Devices with the possibility of diagnosis in accordance with the WHO scale allow themselves to assess the degree of hypertension. The criterion will be useful for people with a diagnosis of hypertension, as it allows you to monitor the development of the disease. Indicators of the device can not serve as the basis for the diagnosis, but, of course, are the reason for contacting a specialist.

The automatic tonometer with adapter allows connecting the device to the 220 V network. Tonometers that have the power supply from the network are perfectly suitable for home use, since they do not require frequent replacement of batteries (batteries). But, it is worthwhile to insert the batteries, and the device becomes mobile and can be taken with you on the road.

Devices with memory can store up to 200 measurements. The function is indispensable in the case of a tonometer for daily monitoring of changes in readings. The ability to connect a tonometer to a computer allows you to print the results for yourself or your doctor.

Accuracy of measurement of automatic tonometers

All instruments have an error in the indication, which is indicated by the manufacturer on the package. The small error present in the measurements is considered the norm, and it is not evidence of a poor quality of the device. Usually, it does not greatly affect the results of the measurement, and they can be used to judge the increased or reduced pressure.

But sometimes automatic devices have large discrepancies in indications with mechanical or semiautomatic tonometers. Most often this is due to non-compliance with the manufacturer's recommendations for using a tonometer. Each instrument is accompanied by an instruction detailing the procedure for measuring, as well as the position of the cuff on the forearm. It is noted that when the hand is incorrectly positioned during measurement, the instrument also produces inaccurate results. In self-measurement of pressure, it must be remembered that the arm on which the cuff is applied should be located at the level of the heart.

How to choose automatic tonometers? Which is better? Reviews

First of all, the goals for which the device is purchased are taken into account. If the purchase of a tonometer is connected with the control of one's health, then models with basic functions will do.

A person with the presence of any cardiovascular disease should pay attention to the additional functions that are equipped with automatic tonometers. Which is better for a tonometer to suit a particular person needs to be determined on the basis of many factors. For example, a person's lifestyle can induce him to choose models with a home adapter or wrist tonometers for active people.

Also it is worth paying attention to the manufacturer. To give preference to better known brands. A cheap device of a little-known firm can disappoint in the process of operation. The device with a lot of additional functions has a relatively high price. Therefore, the low price of the device in conjunction with its great functionality should alert the buyer.

Where it is better to buy tonometers?

Imported tonometers must be certified in the country where they are sold. The certificate confirms that the device meets the quality requirements and the manufacturer's specifications.

Where to get automatic tonometers, which is better, you can find out about the devices of different models and brands from specialists. Customer feedback on the operation of these or other models of tonometers can help make a choice in the direction of the most suitable device. It is worth noting that buying a tonometer is only in pharmacies or in medical equipment stores.

Manufacturers of automatic tonometers

In the domestic market there is a huge selection of manufacturers who have the appropriate quality certificates for their products. One of the most popular is the Microlife automatic tonometer. This manufacturer provides a wide range of models. The Swiss brand Microlife constantly develops and introduces new technologies. The new AFIB-technology, which is already present in new models of tonometers of this brand, allows to identify atrial fibrillation and thereby prevent a stroke.

How to choose automatic tonometers? Which is better? Omron is a Japanese company specializing in the production of electronics. The firm is known for its research and development base and has a large number of patented products. Automatic tonometers "Omron" are considered to be one of the most expensive. The company has established itself as a manufacturer of quality electronic equipment, including tonometers of different models. The automatic tonometer Omron can afford not everyone, but if there are financial opportunities, it is definitely worth buying a device of this brand.

Home tonometers from the American brand AND are popular all over the world. The company specializes in various medical equipment and constantly develops and improves the manufactured instruments, including automatic tonometers. Which is better - "Omron" or "Andes"? When choosing a manufacturer, one should be guided by the characteristics of models and their financial capabilities. If you compare the two models of different brands, you can find out that with the same capabilities, Omron instruments significantly exceed in price.