Is an electronic blood pressure monitor accurate when measuring blood pressure at home?

Hello, I am a general medicine attending physician. I hope my answer can help you.

Whether the electronic blood pressure monitor is accurate or not is an issue that many people are currently concerned about. It can be said that many people feel that when comparing blood pressure measured with an electronic sphygmomanometer and a desktop sphygmomanometer, they find a big difference, so they conclude that the electronic sphygmomanometer is inaccurate.

In my opinion, most electronic blood pressure monitors are accurate. Why do I say this? Let me talk about this issue from the following aspects.

First, the application of electronic blood pressure monitors is the current trend, gradually replacing desktop blood pressure monitors.

You may have noticed that electronic blood pressure monitors are not only used for home self-measurement of blood pressure, but are also widely used in hospitals. Because electronic sphygmomanometers are convenient and quick to measure blood pressure, easy to learn to use, and convenient to measure by yourself, they are currently widely accepted.

It has become a trend for electronic blood pressure monitors to replace desktop blood pressure monitors, so it seems meaningless to talk about the accuracy of electronic blood pressure monitors at present.

Second, with the current development of science and technology, accurate calibration of electronic blood pressure monitors can ensure the accuracy of electronic blood pressure monitors. In some respects, the accuracy has even exceeded that of desktop blood pressure monitors.

It is not ruled out that there are unscrupulous manufacturers who produce substandard blood pressure monitors for the sake of profit. When purchasing, compare and inquire from various sources and choose a reputable manufacturer.

Third, the correct measurement method will make the electronic blood pressure monitor accurate.

To measure blood pressure, you need to empty your bowels and bowels in a quiet state, take a seat, and rest quietly for 5 minutes. When measuring, relax your body, spread your legs, and place your arms on the table. When measuring, the blood pressure meter should be at the same level as your heart. together. The cuff should be of appropriate elasticity and should be placed on the elbow line at the position of two fingers. After it is tied, it should be able to fit one finger.

Many people measure blood pressure incorrectly. Sometimes they measure while standing, the sphygmomanometer is placed improperly, the cuff is not tight and tight, emotional factors and many other factors lead to inaccurate measurement values. So are there any situations in which electronic blood pressure monitors are considered inaccurate?

First, white coat hypertension. Some people's blood pressure is not high when measured at home, but increases when they go to the hospital to see a doctor. This is actually caused by some people's nervousness about the hospital environment and seeing the doctor. This causes many people to believe that the electronic blood pressure monitor at home is inaccurate.

Second, insufficient maintenance of the electronic blood pressure monitor results in inaccurate measurements. Only by properly maintaining the electronic blood pressure monitor according to the instructions can it be used for a long time and ensure accuracy.

Third, the battery was not replaced or charged in time. Blood pressure results may also be affected when the battery is too low.

Fourth, when purchasing a blood pressure monitor, choose a cuff-type blood pressure monitor. Choose an electronic blood pressure monitor from a regular manufacturer. Therefore, electronic blood pressure monitors are currently widely used. To choose a regular product, only by learning the correct measurement method and maintaining the electronic blood pressure monitor can it become a good helper for those with daily hypertension.

I am @general practitioner chat and I share health knowledge with you every day.

It should be accurate.

An old lady in her 50s said that the electronic blood pressure monitor was inaccurate. I said why can't you tell?

She said, I feel sad sometimes. Once measured, the systolic blood pressure was over 70 Hg. There's no way my blood pressure is that low.

I said, take your blood pressure and measure your husband and your son. If their blood pressure is over 70. There must be something wrong with your blood pressure monitor. If they all have normal blood pressure, your blood pressure is really too low.

Someone said that the measured value is different every time. So the blood pressure monitor is inaccurate.

I said that if the test data is the same every time, the blood pressure monitor is more likely to be inaccurate.

Because the tension of blood vessels is different with every heartbeat. Therefore, it is correct that the values ????are different every time the test is performed.

Therefore, test more people, especially more young people, and some people’s blood pressure will be within the normal range. If someone's blood pressure is too high or too low, they really have high blood pressure or low blood pressure. But whether it can be diagnosed as high blood pressure or hypotension depends on certain clinical standards.

In short, whether the blood pressure monitor is normal or not, test it on a few more people and make a comprehensive judgment based on the results!

Some people may occasionally experience transient high blood pressure or low blood pressure.

Sometimes, the plastic or hose joints of the sphygmomanometer may be aged, or the joints may become loose and leak, making the blood pressure test inaccurate. Generally there is no problem of low battery. If there is insufficient power in the battery, the test will fail directly. High blood pressure will not be measured as low blood pressure.

The mercury manometer needs to cooperate with human ears to hear and human eyes to see. Make a judgment based on the sounds you hear and the pressure you see. The precision and accuracy are far lower than those of electronic blood pressure monitors!

If you believe that the data tested by your blood pressure monitor is accurate. You can put the blood pressure monitor by your bedside and conduct the test in the morning, when you are awake, before exercising, eating, or feeling stressed. What is tested at this time is basal blood pressure. It best describes the state of your body and blood pressure.

Electronic blood pressure monitors cannot be faked. Accurate to single digits. As for the mercury test pressure, if it is faked or people who do not know how to judge make nonsense, the harm will be even greater. I remember an old man who had been suffering from low blood pressure for many years. He was taken for a physical examination by a drug salesman who said he had high blood pressure. He came back and told me that I tested with an electronic sphygmomanometer and he still had low blood pressure. Just imagine, if an old man with low blood pressure takes antihypertensive drugs, what will be the consequences?

Electronic blood pressure monitors should be accurate. One is to measure correctly according to the instructions. Second, no strenuous exercise should be done before measurement. Third, the blood pressure monitor should be maintained regularly to ensure its good condition.

With the development of society, our living standards and medical and health conditions are getting better and better. Many friends are equipped with electronic blood pressure monitors at home, which can monitor and measure blood pressure at any time, but many friends are worried , will it be inaccurate if I use an electronic sphygmomanometer to measure blood pressure at home? This kind of situation where self-measured blood pressure at home is not accurate enough certainly exists, but it is unscientific to attribute this inaccuracy only to the use of an "electronic" blood pressure monitor.

It can be said that whether it is a home electronic sphygmomanometer or a clinic sphygmomanometer, as long as it is a certified and calibrated electronic sphygmomanometer from a regular manufacturer, it will be relatively accurate to measure blood pressure. In the process of measuring blood pressure, we should pay more attention to maintaining the correct blood pressure measurement method. This is more important than choosing between an electronic sphygmomanometer or a mercury sphygmomanometer to measure blood pressure.

If we observe carefully, we will find that even in hospitals, mercury sphygmomanometers are used less and less. Many hospitals have replaced electronic sphygmomanometers for measuring blood pressure. Therefore, for electronic blood pressure There is no need to discuss the question of who is more accurate, the sphygmomanometer or the mercury sphygmomanometer. The accuracy of measuring blood pressure with a high-precision electronic sphygmomanometer is no worse than that of a mercury sphygmomanometer, and in terms of measuring blood pressure, the electronic sphygmomanometer is more accurate than the mercury sphygmomanometer. The old-fashioned mercury sphygmomanometer should also be more efficient and convenient. Therefore, it can be said that compared with mercury sphygmomanometers, the widespread application of electronic sphygmomanometers is the result of scientific and technological progress. When the technology is very mature, the accuracy of electronic sphygmomanometers in measuring blood pressure is also guaranteed.

Is there a difference between a blood pressure monitor for clinic measurements and a blood pressure monitor for home use? Of course there is a difference. This difference mainly comes from two aspects. The first is that the sphygmomanometer used for clinic measurement often has a higher accuracy level. Of course, the cost of the electronic sphygmomanometer used for clinic measurement is also higher, but generally speaking , the measurement results of the home electronic sphygmomanometer will not have too big an error. Compared with the clinic measurement value, the error of the home electronic sphygmomanometer is within 5~10mmhg, which is considered normal; another difference between the clinic sphygmomanometer and the home sphygmomanometer The difference is that sphygmomanometers used in clinics are usually calibrated regularly to ensure accuracy, while electronic sphygmomanometers used at home generally do not have such conditions for regular calibration.

Although home electronic sphygmomanometers are not as accurate as clinic measurement sphygmomanometers, as for blood pressure monitoring, the convenience of home electronic sphygmomanometers cannot be compared to clinic measurements. Therefore, as long as it is For qualified electronic blood pressure monitors produced by regular manufacturers, in the process of self-measurement of blood pressure at home, we should first measure blood pressure in the correct way. Regarding the precautions for self-measurement of blood pressure at home, we briefly summarize the following points -

1. For home electronic blood pressure monitors, it is generally recommended to choose an upper arm blood pressure monitor. Although wrist blood pressure monitors are more convenient to measure, in terms of accuracy, upper arm blood pressure monitors are often more accurate.

2. Generally, use a sitting or lying position, keep the measurement site flush with the heart, and the cuff should be moderately tight. Generally, you need to bare your arms or wear thinner clothes. If the separation is too thick, , often cannot be measured accurately.

3. Before measuring, you should be careful not to drink strong tea or coffee or other drinks that can increase blood pressure. Do not exercise strenuously. Stay at rest for 5 minutes or more. If you feel the urge to urinate, it is also recommended to urinate before measuring. These aspects may affect the measurement value of blood pressure, resulting in insufficient conversion of continuous blood pressure measurement.

4. Pay attention to the battery power and charge or replace the battery in time. When the battery is low, it is of course difficult for the electronic blood pressure monitor to accurately measure blood pressure.

5. Although there is generally no condition to calibrate the electronic blood pressure monitor regularly, it is possible to compare the blood pressure measurement values ??with the clinic measurement values ??regularly. If you rule out that nervousness causes white coat hypertension, Generally, although the values ??between the two will not be exactly the same, their range should be basically the same.

If you pay attention to the above points, generally speaking, household electronic blood pressure monitors can also accurately measure blood pressure, and the blood pressure measurement values ????are also relatively accurate and reliable. Of course, as the service life increases, such as When the machine has been used for more than 5 years or even more, inaccurate measurements may occur due to aging of the machine and other reasons. If the measured values ??are found to be obviously unreasonable or significantly different from those measured in the clinic, then Electronic sphygmomanometers are often updated, and the accuracy of measurement is more guaranteed. It is also necessary to replace electronic sphygmomanometers in a timely manner.

Blood pressure generally refers to arterial blood pressure, which is the pressure measured by our blood on the unit vessel wall during blood vessel flow. Accurate blood pressure measurement can help us understand the body's blood pressure level, determine whether hypertension has occurred, and can provide guidance. Treatment of high blood pressure. For the measurement of blood pressure, we can measure it indirectly through a sphygmomanometer. Commonly used sphygmomanometers mainly include mercury column sphygmomanometers and electronic blood pressure sphygmomanometers.

For the general public, it is recommended to choose an electronic sphygmomanometer when measuring blood pressure in daily life. Compared with a mercury column sphygmomanometer, an electronic sphygmomanometer is easier to operate. Of course, some people are worried that electronic sphygmomanometers are not accurate in measuring blood pressure. What I can tell you is that as long as you choose a qualified electronic sphygmomanometer produced by a regular manufacturer and the measurement method is correct, the measurement results of the electronic sphygmomanometer will be relatively accurate.

When we use an electronic sphygmomanometer to measure blood pressure, in order to improve the accuracy of measurement, we recommend that you:

1. Choose a qualified sphygmomanometer produced by a regular manufacturer: When purchasing an electronic blood pressure monitor When measuring time, you should choose a sphygmomanometer produced by a big brand manufacturer, buy it from the correct merchant, and pay attention to check the certificate of qualification and issue an invoice.

2. Choose the appropriate blood pressure monitor: There are two types of electronic blood pressure monitors: wrist type and arm type. It is recommended that you choose the arm type blood pressure monitor. Compared with the wrist type blood pressure monitor, the measured arteries are larger. Being closer to the heart, the result will be closer to human blood pressure.

3. Read the instructions carefully: For the general public, we are not professional doctors after all. Before measuring blood pressure, we should read the instructions carefully to understand the usage method. After all, sharpening a knife does not waste time chopping firewood.

4. Correct operation method: ① Rest quietly for at least five minutes before measuring blood pressure, avoid drinking strong tea or coffee, and pay attention to emptying your bowels; ② Choose a chair with a backrest and sit in an upright position Measure blood pressure; ③ Choose a cuff of appropriate size. Obese people or children should use corresponding large cuffs or children's cuffs; ④ When measuring blood pressure for the first time, measure both upper arms, and later use the side with the higher reading as the measuring arm; ⑤ When measuring blood pressure, the pulse rate should be measured at the same time; ⑥ The wristband should be tied to the two horizontal fingers on the elbow crease, and it should be tight enough to fit one finger; ⑦ When measuring blood pressure, the sphygmomanometer should be at the same level as the heart; ⑧ For people who are suspected of having white-coat hypertension (i.e. their blood pressure is normally normal but rises when they see a doctor), it is also recommended to self-test their blood pressure at home or perform ambulatory blood pressure monitoring.

5. Accurately read blood pressure values: ① Each blood pressure measurement should be measured twice and the average value should be taken, with an interval of 1 to 2 minutes. If the difference between the two blood pressure readings is greater than 5mmHg, it is recommended to take an additional measurement. , take the average of three times; ② If you want to diagnose hypertension, you need to measure it three times on different days, each time according to the requirements of 1 above. If all are higher than normal, the diagnosis can be made. Therefore, it is not necessary to diagnose hypertension when the blood pressure exceeds 140/90mmHg.

6. Regularly calibrate the blood pressure monitor: In our daily life, we should also pay attention to regular calibration of the blood pressure monitor to ensure the accuracy of the blood pressure monitor measurement.

Measuring blood pressure shows that you value your health. Measuring blood pressure at home saves time and money. And you can keep track of your blood pressure to avoid accidents.

Electronic blood pressure is an advancement in technology. It is convenient to use and easy to master the steps of measuring blood pressure. I have been using an electronic blood pressure monitor for several years and the error is not big. Please feel free to use it.

My judgment is: the results measured using an electronic blood pressure monitor at home are for reference only by our patients. Because the measurement results of the electronic sphygmomanometer are affected by many factors: first, the user's testing time; second, the posture and method of the tester; third, the stability of the electronic sphygmomanometer, etc.; all of them will affect the results of our blood pressure measurement. Therefore, my suggestion is: If you have just been found to have high blood pressure, it is recommended that you go to the hospital for observation for about 15 days. Professional doctors can take 3 consecutive tests a day on the basis that the patient has a fixed time and his personal mood is relatively stable. More than one time, and then make a curve graph of the test results for 15 days, from which your normal blood pressure value can be analyzed. Although this is a bit troublesome, it is scientific, accurate and credible. Home electronic blood pressure monitors can be used for daily monitoring of patients, and the measured data are for our reference only. Personal experience is also a matter of opinion.

Its data should be very accurate, the error from the real value is quite small, and it can be used as a reference. I also measured it myself at home, and it was almost the same as the number measured by the doctor at the hospital.

I am very happy to be invited to answer your question. In fact, many patients in daily outpatient clinics ask me whether it is accurate to use an electronic blood pressure monitor to measure blood pressure at home.

Why is my blood pressure measured with an electronic blood pressure monitor at home lower than the blood pressure measured in the hospital? Is the electronic blood pressure monitor inaccurate? Is a mercury meter better than an electronic meter? These are actually common problems in outpatient clinics. Today I will come and talk to you in detail.

Using an electronic blood pressure monitor at home is more accurate. And we encourage patients with hypertension to self-measure their blood pressure at home on a daily basis. Observing blood pressure data over a long period of time is more meaningful than coming to the hospital to measure once in a while. It is recommended to use a cuff type electronic blood pressure monitor, which is more accurate. The wrist type and fingertip type are not recommended.

In addition, whether the electronic blood pressure monitor measures accurately depends on your posture when measuring and whether the cuff fits your arm circumference. You can take a closer look at the picture below, which explains very well how to measure blood pressure.

So why is my blood pressure measured with an electronic blood pressure monitor at home lower than the blood pressure measured in the hospital? Is the electronic blood pressure monitor inaccurate?

In fact, this is mainly related to your mood and environment when measuring blood pressure. Most hospital environments are noisy, and patients are more or less nervous when facing the doctor. This also leads to why when measuring blood pressure in hospitals, , the resulting value will be higher. Which electronic blood pressure monitor is better than a mercury blood pressure monitor?

It is not recommended to use a mercury measuring instrument to measure blood pressure at home, because mercury blood pressure meters are prone to human errors and may also have problems such as mercury leakage. In comparison, electronic blood pressure meters are safer and more accurate. Some.

Through the above reading, you should have a deeper understanding of electronic blood pressure monitors.