Best Blood Pressure Monitor

The Care Touch Platinum is our pick for the best blood pressure monitor due to its large LCD screen, option for conversion of units, compatibility with Fitbit and its irregular heart rate monitor, which can be important for those who are working out.

Our step-up pick is the Paramed Accurate Automatic and it is easy to adjust depending on your wrist size. This device can also be charged via an AC adapter other than using its batteries and it also has a silent function to save up on battery life. The self-checking mode for your position helps you not to get an error for a readout.

The budget pick is the Generation Guard Clinical and it has an irregular heart rate indicator. This FDA certified BP device can fit wrists from 5 inches to 9 inches, making it ideal for different people. It is only powered up by two AAA batteries so it is easy to find a battery for it.

A Little Background

Blood pressure can be monitored using equipment.

BP refers to the measurement of your blood pressure depending on your heart rate, and is characterized by two numbers: the systolic and diastolic measurement, e.g. 120 over 80. The unit of measurement used in determining your BP is millimeters of mercury (mmHg) and sometimes kilopascal (kPa). A person’s blood pressure can be measured at home, in a health center or in a hospital, usually by a nurse or any health practitioner.

Managing your blood pressure is important to maintain a healthy lifestyle. It can be done by eating healthy foods and performing the right amount of exercise on a daily or weekly basis. Foods that are good for the heart can help you manage your blood pressure more effectively in the process. Your BP can also be regulated if you perform physical activities such as jogging or at least using the stairs instead of the elevator in your office.

Hypertension can be managed by monitoring and medicine.

Hypertension can be dangerous if it is not managed properly. Hypertension affects many people, but it is more likely to happen to people who are in their mid-30s and older, especially those who are living an unhealthy lifestyle. To combat hypertension and high BP, they need to be able to change their lifestyle by looking into different options to help monitor their BP and then find an effort to lower it by choosing their foods properly.

Common foods that can help you manage your blood pressure include fish and those that are good for the heart with good cholesterol. An example would be anything from the sea, such as fish, and those with omega-3 fatty acids to help maintain a good heart health. Those with HDL or good cholesterol can be helpful for those who are suffering from high blood pressure.

Having a regular workout or at least physical activity is important for those who have hypertension. Swimming is a low impact activity that is good for your BP and your heart rate. There are many other simple activities that you can do other than just going to the gym, if you don’t have time. For example, if your destination is near, you can walk instead of commute or use your car, or you can take the stairs instead of elevators.

For you to properly monitor your BP, you will need a blood pressure monitor. This device can be worn on your wrist and can either be automatic or manual. The manual ones will need a stethoscope and a keen set of ears, while the automatic ones can be used in a plug and play sort of fashion. Either way, those devices are greatly needed if you want to monitor your blood pressure.

How we Picked

In order to choose the best blood pressure monitor, you should know about the following:

Units of measurement: most of these BP devices can use mmHg as the default but some can be converted into kPa as well if you prefer that unit of measurement.

Accuracy: it is important for any BP monitor to have great accuracy to ensure that it will not be far behind a medical or manual monitor in the hospital.

Portability: there are some people who prefer something that is portable and easy to travel with, such as those with a carrying case, especially for people who are on the go or are medical school students and nurses.

Readability: you have to make sure that the BP device is easy to read and to monitor the numbers on. The large display will help those who are too old to read smaller numbers and just want to know what their current BP is, for medical purposes.

Ease of use: it is important to have an intuitive unit, especially for the elderly, so that they will not find it hard to operate the unit. This is important as many people may not have the time to learn how to use a certain gadget that will just measure their BP.

Battery power: it is also important for a unit to keep running in good condition with sufficient battery power. If not, there should also be a backup AC power source especially because monitoring a person’s BP is something that is delicate and can mean business in terms of medical purposes.

Our Pick

Our best blood pressure monitor is the Care Touch Platinum, which has a large LCD screen with a backlight so that it is simple enough to read anytime and anywhere – even in broad daylight and even in the dark. In addition to that, there is also an irregular heartbeat indicator so that you can be able to monitor your heart rate just fine with a status symbol while giving accurate readouts for your heart rate.

You can also be able to review the last 60 readings with a touch of a button due to the memory function. As for the conversion units, your heart rate is measured using mmHg, but there’s an option for kPa as well. Additionally, it works with Fitbit due to the curved design. It is also less noisier than other brands, comes with the needed batteries (AAAs) and the unit itself is small and portable enough for travel purposes.

Flaws but Not Dealbreakers

The only con but not a deal breaker with the Care Touch Platinum is that it does not have an auto off function, but this is optional as you can just easily turn off the unit when not in use.

Step-up Pick

Our step-up pick is the Paramed Accurate Automatic, which has a cuff adjustability of 22 cm to 40 cm, making it easy to adjust depending on your wrist size. It can detect your blood pressure and pulse rate easily with a clear display. It has a total of 120 sets in its memory, allowing you to store logs whenever you need them. It only requires 4 AAA batteries and can also be charged via an AC adapter.

The device also has a voice broadcast function so that people with difficulty in reading results can easily know the numbers. It also has a silent function to save up on battery life and also to keep the environment quiet. Its self-checking of cuff positioning mode makes positioning for your BP easier.

It also has an arrhythmia testing feature for those who need it. There’s also a low battery display mode to inform you when to charge or replace the batteries. This is a perfect gift for health-conscious users, especially your grandparents.

Budget Pick

Our budget pick is the Generation Guard Clinical, which is greatly adjustable as it can fit wrist sizes from 5 inches to 9 inches, making it ideal for different people. It is only powered up by two AAA batteries so it is not too power consuming and not too expensive to power up. You can be able to read results in both mmHg and kPa so you will find the unit conversion easy to handle.

The device reads relatively quickly due to the technology employed in its circuits, allowing the detection of blood pressure and heart rate in a breeze. It is ideal for daily monitoring such as for those who are health-conscious individuals. It also has an irregular heart rate indicator for those who need it.

Overall, it’s very easy to use as an FDA certified BP device. When you wear it on its cuff function, it doesn’t hurt at all unlike other brands. The adjustability also makes it good for children when needed. Additionally, it comes with a plastic carrying case for travel purposes.

Best Blood Pressure Monitor with a Large Display Screen

The Balance Cuff Kit is a great choice if you want something that has a large screen display for ease of reading the results. As for its cuff, it is a one-size-fits-most so it will be easier to fit in most patients and users. In fact, it may even fit a small adult or teenager when positioned properly. The device can store up to 60 records per user of the unit.

It bears good contrast and large numbers so that you can easily see it even when it’s too bright outside or for your elderly folks who have trouble reading numbers. It has a total of 2 power options: 4 AAA batteries or a power cord, so that you can make the switch without having to worry about obtaining batteries. The backlit LCD screen display is clear and concise and as this monitor is automatic, it requires no pumping.

The device has been cleared by the FDA so it is deemed safe for operation and medical use. It fits arm sizes from 8 3/4 to 16 1/2 inches while its hose is a reasonable length so you can feel comfortable using it for different people. It also comes with a handy travel case.

Best Blood Pressure Monitor for Home Use

The Vive Precision Automatic is a good choice if you just want something to be used at home. With its push-to-start design, it can be very simple and straightforward to use overall as a unit. Those people who have big arms or overweight will find this very comfortable to use without suffocating their arms or getting an error or inaccurate reading.

You also have the option to switch between 2 users so that more than one person can be able to use it and store their readings. It is powered by 4 AAA batteries and can store up to 250 individual measurements per user (total of 500 all in all). It is also capable of detection of an irregular heartbeat for those who need it.

The device’s cuff fits 8 3/4 to 16 1/2 inches of arm sizes and it can give accurate readings almost every single time when placed properly. It is also backed by a 2-year warranty.

Best Blood Pressure Monitor with a Contoured Cuff Design

The Omron 3 Series is a great choice if you want a cuff design that is specifically contoured for comfort and/or special needs. The device will fit arm circumferences from 9 to 17 inches so it is very wide in range even for those with larger arms. It can store up to 14 readings for its memory storage so it can help you to keep track of your BP all the time.

Being a comfortable cuff in terms of design, it allows precise readings almost every single time, as long as it is positioned properly. Most users say that it works best on left arm. It is also a one-touch operation unit so that you will have less problems getting it to work.

The device can also detect irregular heartbeats so you can use it to keep track of your health problems. It can also work for women during pregnancy and for people with special needs of monitoring their BP. It is an accurate and easy to use unit that only requires 4 AA batteries (not included). It can also work for those have a premature heartbeat.

Best Blood Pressure Monitor with a Large Memory Capacity

If you need a device that can store a lot of readings due to the large memory capacity, the WARMLIFE Accurate Automatic can be a great choice for you. It can be able to track up to 180 readings in its memory and has a clear digital display with backlight so that you can see it in any lighting condition.

The device’s cuff fits 8.6 to 16.6 inches of arm sizes so it works well for different people. It also supports 2 users with its memory storage and it has a voice broadcast for those who can’t read the numbers, such as the elderly. As a digital and fully automatic device, it has an auto shutoff feature within 3 minutes of inactivity to save up on battery life.

There are also 3 color segments for hypertension (red), warning (orange) and normal (green) BP, for ease of reading. As an FDA-approved unit, you have a choice of AC adapter or 4 AAA batteries for this BP device, which is also backed by a 2-year warranty.

Best Blood Pressure Monitor with a Backlit Display

For those who want a backlit display and a simple but straightforward accurate reading of their systolic and diastolic BP, the 1byone Upper Arm is a nice choice. Allowing up to 2 users in one unit, this device has a wide-range cuff from 22 to 42 cm or 8 to 16 inches in size, so it is great for different arm sizes. It can also store up to 60 readings per user.

Having extra-large and clear digits for you to see, the user interface is intuitive especially for the elderly. It can be used for documenting and reporting your own blood pressure at home and you can also change the units on the monitor between Kpa and mmHg for convenience. The systolic pressure can be measured from 60 mmHg to 23 mmHg or 8.0 kPa to 30.7 kPa while diastolic is from 5.3 kPa to 17.3kPa or 40 mmHg to 130 mmHg.

Running using only 4 AAA batteries or a 6V DC power supply, it is a dependable unit that comes with an instruction manual. Even nursing students can use it for their school needs due to its portable nylon storage case for travel purposes.

Best Blood Pressure Monitor that is Manual in Design

The Paramed Aneroid Sphygmomanometer is a manual BP device that can be used for arm sizes from 22 to 42 cm on its universal sized cuff, making it easier to fit into different patients and different body types. This aneroid sphygmomanometer can also be a great med school device for nursing students, as well as practitioners and those who just want to monitor their BP at home.

It can be useful for both hypertensive or hypotensive patients so that they will know their exact blood pressure. It covers 40% of the upper arm, which is a standard for most BP devices so it is going to be quite comfortable. It is also latex-free so it is generally safe for those with latex sensitivities.

Being a lightweight unit, it gives accurate readings and also comes with a key for calibration. In addition to that, its air valve mechanism is easy to use. For traveling purposes, the blue nylon carrying case can help protect the unit.

Best Blood Pressure Monitor that is Portable in Design

If you want a truly portable BP device then the Panasonic EW3109W Portable can be a great choice for you. It is able to capture up to 90 readings so you can use it for reference. It is also able to display large and clear characters  for the elderly.

The cuff fits 7.8 to 15.8 inches of arms so it will fit a majority of users. It has two power options: 4 AA batteries or optional AC adaptor. It also has flashing numbers that can alert you for hypertension and it gives you digital readings right on inflation.

The unit also has an option to clear the memory storage when you don’t need them anymore. This BP device comes with a carrying pouch for traveling, and is quite comfortable to use overall. It is backed by a 2-year limited warranty.

The Competition

There were other blood pressure monitors that did not make it to our list because they lacked in brightness and contrast for the display, which is important when you are reading your results. They also did not have enough accuracy as compared to other units and were pretty hard to set up overall.

Other Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the normal blood pressure of an adult?

A: Normal adults will have the blood pressure of 120 mm Hg/80 mmHg. Blood pressure is measured and read using the millimeters of mercury (mmHg) unit. In some BP devices, you can also have the option to convert the unit to kPa (kilopascal). The normal blood pressure is also read as 120 over 80. If your blood pressure is higher, that could mean you have high blood pressure or hypertension.

Q: How do I know if my blood pressure is on a dangerous level?

A: A higher BP means that you may have high blood pressure or hypertension. To know if your BP is high or low, here is a helpful chart for you to find out:

	Diastolic or lower number
Systolic or top number	–	40	50	60	70	80	90	100
	70	Low	Low	Low	Normal	Normal	Pre-high	High
	80	Low	Low	Low	Normal	Normal	Pre-high	High
	90	Low	Low	Low	Normal	Normal	Pre-high	High
	100	Normal	Normal	Normal	Normal	Normal	Pre-high	High
	110	Normal	Normal	Normal	Normal	Normal	Pre-high	High
	120	Normal	Normal	Normal	Normal	Normal	Pre-high	High
	130	Pre-high	Pre-high	Pre-high	Pre-high	Pre-high	Pre-high	High
	140	Pre-high	Pre-high	Pre-high	Pre-high	Pre-high	Pre-high	High
	150	High	High	High	High	High	High	High
	160	High	High	High	High	High	High	High
	170	High	High	High	High	High	High	High
	180	High	High	High	High	High	High	High
	190	High	High	High	High	High	High	High

Q: Can anxiety have an effect on your BP?

A: Yes, many studies have claimed that anxiety has an effect on your BP. This is because your heart rate may go up in bouts of anxiety, but this is not a long-term effect. If your anxiety only lasts for a few episodes and is not that severe, then it is less likely to be as dangerous as normal hypertension. However, if your anxiety is on the dangerous levels, you should seek professional help right away.

Anxiety can have a potential effect on your lifestyle, and you may resort to unhealthy habits like quitting exercise or consuming unhealthy foods. To help your BP to be normalized, you should treat the source, which is your anxiety, so that it does not grow into a larger problem in the future.

Q: Can yoga help decrease or manage your blood pressure?

A: Yes, your BP can be managed properly if you practice yoga every now and then. In fact, doing yoga also has the following benefits for your well-being, other than for your BP:

1.       Reduced anxiety and stress
2.       Better metabolism rate and helps in digestion
3.       Improved breathing
4.       Better brain activity
5.       Manages blood sugars
6.       Helps in arthritis treatment
7.       Better sleep
8.       Fewer symptoms of allergy or hay fever
9.       Bone strength
10.   Improved fertility for couples

Q: Can blood pressure be managed by swimming?

Swimming is a good physical activity for your heart health.

A: Yes, your BP can be managed effectively by swimming. In fact, cardiovascular health is one of the most important benefits of swimming and plunging into the water. Other important benefits of swimming include the following:

1. Use it as a survival skill
2. Improved oxygen intake
3. Low impact exercise
4. Improved overall health
5. Can help with mental health problems
6. Reduces likelihood of chronic illness

Q: Can pumpkin be a good BP management food?

A: Yes, your BP can be normalized well if you eat dishes with pumpkin. The reason for this is because of the following scientific benefits:

1. Antioxidants – these antioxidants can help you to breathe better and have a naturally detoxified body after you consume pumpkin and similar food items. Antioxidants simply make you feel good inside and out.
2. Low cholesterol – bad cholesterol is one of the worst enemies of your body, especially if you are prone to hypertension and high blood pressure, and especially in a person’s later years. Lower cholesterol foods like pumpkins can help do the trick.
3. Low sodium – a low sodium diet has also been found by studies to be great for those who are managing their BP to avoid hypertension and the like.
4. Phytoestrogens – these come from the pumpkin seed oil, which can help alleviate the symptoms of high BP and hypertension.

Q: Can drinking water be good for your BP?

A: Yes, drinking water can be one of the easiest ways to help you manage your BP naturally. Simply drinking at least 8 to 10 glasses a day would be enough to help you keep yourself hydrated, and thus, manage your BP to be on a normal scale. This is especially important if you live in a very hot climate area or if the weather is scorching hot.

However, a word of caution: don’t drink too much, as this can also potentially weaken your digestive system and kidneys (and will make you feel sluggish anyway), so just drink enough. If you also exercise more often then you should stay hydrated as much as possible and carry a bottle of water with you.

Q: What fish is very good in managing your BP?

Mackerel is known to contain good cholesterol.

A: If you are looking for a fish that is good at managing your BP then there are lots of them, but the mackerel is worth mentioning because it contains HDL. HDL is also known as the good cholesterol and LDL is the bad cholesterol. Mackerel can potentially lower LDL and raise HDL so you get only good cholesterol in your body, which can help alleviate hypertension and high BP.

Q: If I want to cook a mushroom recipe, which one is the best for blood pressure management?

A: To manage your BP properly, a good mushroom type would be the Lingzhi mushroom due to its various benefits other than for your cardiovascular health or blood pressure, such as:

Helps improve your joints	This is important to stay strong when doing physical activities like running or jogging.
Immune system boost	This can help you not to get sick easily.
Alleviates asthma	This is helpful for those patients with asthma.
Improves libido	Couples who have problems with their lovemaking can benefit from it.
Can be used as a tea	This kind of mushroom can be made into tea (see below).
Good for weight loss	This mushroom type can be used for providing a healthier diet plan.
Ideal for arthritis	Those suffering from arthritis can get relief from this mushroom type.

Among the different recipes you can do using this kind of mushroom that may help your cardiovascular system and your BP to be normalized include:

1. Lingzhi iced tea with pomegranate
2. Add it to a spareribs soup
3. Make a lean pork soup from it
4. Combine it with red dates

Q: Can lemon juice help alleviate high BP?

Lemon juice is refreshing and hydrating for hypertensive people.

A: Using lemon juice to help maintain a good BP and reduce the likelihood of hypertension has been tested according to a study. The effect may not be that visible, but drinking lemon juice is akin to staying hydrated, which can help people who are hypertensive to feel refreshed and get their blood pressure on lower numbers.

Q: Can a sauna lower your blood pressure?

A: Yes, it has been proven that sauna bathing is a good BP management activity because of its good effects on your blood pressure. Different studies have the following findings:

Improved blood vessels	This was concluded by a research from the University of Eastern Finland.
Better cardiovascular health for seniors	This was concluded by a Finland research center.
Detoxification effects	This was concluded by J Environ Public Health, which indicated that the excessive sweating in a sauna can help with detoxification.

Q: Is there a specific diet that can help with those who are suffering high BP?

Healthy foods are important in managing your BP.

A: Yes, high BP has been associated with diabetes as well or higher blood sugar levels. Therefore, many people turn to a diet plan known as the GAPS diet, also known as the Gut And Psychological Syndrome diet. It is basically a diet that has the following rules and guidelines:

1. No sweets and sugary foods, such as carbonated drinks, chocolate, sweets and the like.
2. Consuming higher protein foods instead of sweets.
3. Eating veggies and fruits to replace sweet desserts.

Q: Are there specific food items that can really help with hypertensive patients?

 

A: If you have a high BP or if you have hypertension, you should try the following food items for their ability to maintain a good BP for your system:

Tomato	Tomatoes have good cholesterol and lycopene that can help reduce bad cholesterol.
Egg whites	Egg whites are healthier than the yolk because they contain a special peptide that is good for managing your BP levels.
Bananas	Potassium is great for managing your BP, and bananas have a ton of potassium.
Dark chocolate	Dark chocolate is known to be quite bitter, but it is also beneficial to those with hypertension due to its mood improvement properties.
Watermelon	Watermelon is more than just a fruit that helps you rehydrate – it also contains L-citrulline for better blood pressure.
Hibiscus tea	While not many people are into flowers being turned into food, hibiscus tea is a good herbal tea that can help reduce hypertensive symptoms in patients.
Raisins	If you like putting raisins on your baked goods, you’re in luck – raisins can help lower your cholesterol levels, according to studies.

Q: Does an A/C unit have an impact to my blood pressure?

A: An air conditioning unit can have an impact to a person’s blood pressure, but not on the high blood pressure or hypertension patients. Instead, if you have a low blood pressure, you should not get exposed to an A/C unit all the time.

This is the same for those who have arthritis and joint problems, as the coldness of the A/C unit can make their arthritis worse.

On the opposite side, those with high BP could benefit from an A/C unit, especially for emergencies, to help them cool down.

Q: Can pepper help manage your BP?

Pepper has been known to regulate your BP.

A: Yes, your BP can be well-managed if you do get into recipes that have pepper. The reason for this include the following scientific facts:

Capsaicin	This is what causes the pepper to be spicy and hot. This has been known in studies to help with hypertension a lot.
Potassium	Potassium is great for helping to lower blood pressure and is quite bountiful in most peppers.
Quercetin	This is a substance in peppers that can help with high BP and hypertension as well.

Q: What foods should I avoid if I don’t want to have hypertension?

A: To alleviate hypertension or to avoid it altogether, here are some foods that you should avoid:

Most processed meat have a lot of sodium, which can raise your BP.

Processed meats	Deli meats and processed meats are usually full of sodium or salt, which can have a bad effect on your BP overall.
Sodium-rich foods	Anything that is quite salty can be potentially dangerous to your BP levels. Common salty foods may include pizza, canned soup, vegetable juices and most canned products.
Sugar-rich foods	Anything that has a lot of sweets on it, such as artificial sugars, can be harmful for your health. This may include sweetened drinks, soft drinks and the like.
Chicken skin	Chicken skin is known to be unhealthy for the elderly, but it is mostly because of its saturated and trans fats, as well as salty nature. In fact, any packaged chicken product may be harmful for those with hypertension.
Alcohol and caffeine	Basically, anything that contains alcohol and caffeine, such as coffee, as well as some liquor, can contribute to hypertension due to its capability to increase your BP and anxiety levels.

Q: Is it safe to exercise if you are a hypertensive person?

A: That depends on your blood pressure and the advice of your doctor, so you should consult a practitioner first, before you engage into any physical activity.

Always consult your doctor when going for a physical activity if you’re hypertensive.

While it is important to have physical activity in order to combat hypertension, it can also be dangerous if your BP is on the dangerous levels. Here are some guidelines as per range of your BP to determine whether you should exercise or not:

1. Low BP below 90/60 – it is best to consult your GP to know what kind of exercise is best for you.
2. Normal BP between 90/60 and 140/90 – perform any physical activity as desired to balance your BP levels.
3. Above normal BP between 140/90 and 179/99 – you can still perform any physical activity as desired to balance your BP levels.
4. High BP between 180/100 and 199/109 – you should ask your GP first before you start any kind of exercise, just to be safe.
5. Very high BP at 200/110 or higher – always ask your GP or doctor first before doing any physical activity.

Q: What kinds of exercise can be done to fight hypertension?

A: You may undergo different kinds of exercises, which can fall into three kinds of categories:

1. Stretching – this may include stretching exercises at home or at the gym, using simple equipments such as stretch bands. Alternatively, you can do it at home or at the park with simple techniques.
2. Aerobic exercises – these are the usual exercises that can either be low or high impact depending on your capabilities. This may include cycling, jump ropes, swimming, water aerobics, jogging, walking, rowing, skating, skiing and various other sports.
3. Strength exercises – these kinds of exercises help you manage your blood pressure by burning calories, strengthening your bones and also making you feel good inside and out. It usually involves lifting objects.

Q: What position should I sleep on if I have high BP?

A: For those who have high BP or hypertensive tendencies, you should take note of the following when trying to sleep:

1. If you have high BP, avoid sleeping on your chest, because this can potentially make you feel uncomfortable and unable to breathe properly.
2. A good position to sleep on when you have high BP is to sleep on your right side. Make sure that your pillow is slightly raised to help keep you comfortable and ventilated.

Q: If potassium can help lower your BP, what foods are rich in potassium?

When it comes to potassium, bananas are a winner.

A: Bananas aren’t the only ones that have a lot of potassium. For instance, there are also other foods that are rich in this nutrient, such as:

1. Salmon and tuna
2. Beans, seeds and nuts
3. Yogurt
4. Milk and dairy products
5. Fruits like oranges, avocados, melons and apricots
6. Tomatoes
7. Potatoes and sweet potatoes
8. Leafy green veggies

Wrapping It Up

As a whole, we believe that the Care Touch Platinum is our pick for the best blood pressure monitor because of its Fitbit compatibility, clear and concise LCD screen, unit conversion option and irregular heart rate monitor. All of these features are going to be very helpful in reading your BP, whether for health or medical reasons.