Are fingertip and wrist blood pressure monitors accurate?
Fingertip and wrist blood pressure monitors are not thought to be as accurate as arm monitors. They are very sensitive to changes in body position and body temperature and are very expensive (>$100). How do I choose a home blood pressure monitor? When you buy a blood pressure monitor, take the following features into consideration: • Cuff size: The size of cuff you need is based on the size of your arm. Your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist can help you decide which cuff size is right for you. If you get the wrong cuff size, you will get the wrong blood pressure reading! • Automatic vs. manual inflation: Individuals who have a hard time squeezing the inflator bulb should select a monitor with automatic inflation. • Display: Make sure the size of your display is easy to read and understand. • Memory: Some digital blood pressure monitors have memory, allowing you to store several blood pressure readings. • Ease of use: Some blood pressure monitors are easier to use than others. For example,
