Which is more accurate – a manual home blood pressure monitor, digital monitor with arm cuff, or wrist monitor?
Tough question! When measured by a trained professional, following AHA recommendations for blood pressure measurement, a manual instrument will produce very accurate results. Today, home digital BP monitors are VERY accurate, but they do have limitations. Because the algorithms used to calculate blood pressure are based on a limited number of clinical observations, there are people for whom digital units simply will not work. Severely obese patients, those with advanced arthrosclerosis, severe diabetics, or those with a difficult to detect pulse are not good candidates for digital monitors. Wrist models, while the MOST convenient to use, and extremely portable, are often held either above or below heart level resulting in readings of questionable accuracy. All things considered, we recommend an arm or wrist based automatic blood pressure instrument.
