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Home
blood pressure kits are readily available. Sometime they can even
give a more accurate reading than your doctor. In addition, a study
presented at the 2004 European Society of Hypertension meeting, found
that people who monitored their blood pressure at home had lower
overall blood pressure than those who only had their pressure taken
at the doctor's office. Given, that it’s a good idea to invest in a
home blood pressure kit, then, how do you choose a good one? Here are
some tips from the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP):
Get
the right-size cuff. Ask your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist to tell
you the cuff size you need for your arm. Blood pressure readings
will be wrong if your cuff is the wrong size.
Make
sure you can read the numbers on the monitor.
If
you are using a stethoscope, you must be able to hear heart sounds
through it.
At
least once, bring the cuff to your doctor's office and compare the
readings on your cuff and the professional model. If they agree, you
know you can trust yours.
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