The Disadvantages of Blood Pressure Monitors

For patients with blood pressure problems, physicians sometimes recommend having a blood pressure monitor at home. However, you should be aware that there may be some problems with the monitors that will give a reading that is not quite accurate. It all depends on the type of monitor you have. A sphygmomanometer, which is the pressure registering system, can be of three types: mercury, aneroid and automatic.

Mercury Sphygmomanometer

• This device is the standard in blood pressure monitoring. It is easy to read and durable. However, because it is bulky, it may become cumbersome to use at home. If it is not kept upright, the mercury may spill, causing a chemical hazard.

  The position of the gauge must be exact, otherwise you will get an inaccurate reading. The gauge must be at eye level and upright. If you are unable to hear well or are visually impaired, you may find the device hard to use.

Aneroid

• This is an inexpensive option and very portable. It will function regardless of its position, but it is very delicate. The only way to check its accuracy is to compare the reading to a mercury sphygmomanometer. The slightest bump can damage the device without your knowledge. It can be readjusted by the manufacturer.

  If you are visually impaired, you may find it hard to read, and if you lack manual dexterity, you might have trouble pumping up the cuff.

Automatic

• The automatic version of the device is the best if you have less manual dexterity. It is digital and minimizes human error. The mechanism is fragile, and its accuracy should be checked against a manual mercury device before use. It is expensive, works on batteries, and movement can cause inaccurate readings.

  You must place the cuff in the right position. Some models work only for specific arms, i.e. left or right. The cuffs might be too small for larger arms, and larger cuffs are hard to find.