What Are the Different Types of Home Monitors?
Several different blood pressure monitors are available at your local pharmacy. The range of choices include manual and automatic devices. For the first-time user, this may be confusing, so you should ask your doctor or pharmacist what type of monitor is best for you. Home blood pressure monitors are either manual or automatic devices. Some manual devices, referred to as self-taking, consist of an inflatable cuff and a stethoscope attached to a gauge by a rubber tube. The gauge will most often be a dial with a needle corresponding to the current pressure. You must place the cuff on your upper arm with the stethoscope positioned over the brachial artery, which is located slightly above the inside of your elbow. The brachial artery is a large artery that runs from the shoulder down to the elbow. By pumping the bulb, you will inflate the cuff. With the stethoscope, you can listen to certain blood vessel sounds and your heartbeat as you slowly deflate the cuff. Your pharmacist can help you
