Helpful Shopping Tips

The American Heart Association recognizes certain blood pressure monitors as approved, tested and validated by The Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation, the British medical Society and The International Protocol for the Validation of Automated Blood Pressure Measuring Devices.  A list of validated monitors is available at the Dabl Educational Trust Web site* and the British Hypertension Society Web site*.

• The fact that a particular brand or model monitor is not on the list could mean either of two things. First, the device did not pass the tests. Secondly, the particular brand and model device has not been subjected to the approval and validation testing protocol, which is the case with many of the newer devices which have been launched since the last lists were generated in 2008.

• Although wrist monitors are considered by many to not be as accurate or reliable as upper arm monitors because of the significant effect that arm position in relationship to heart level has on the readings, the wrist monitors with the Omron patented advanced positioning sensor technology have essentially overcome this limitation and are as accurate and reliable as the upper arm monitors.  To view wrist monitors with that technology just type “APS” in the keyword field of the product page and click search.

• If you're visually impaired a talking monitor might be the best choice machine for you. To view of talking machines available to you just type “talking machines” in the keyword field of the products page and click search.

• If you want to ideally track your blood pressure, follow trends and generate data that your doctor can utilize to optimize your treatment plan one of the monitors that will perform three blood pressure readings in succession and average the readings which can be download to your PC via a USB connection into a program installed from a CD which comes with the monitor, just type in “download” in the keyword field of the products page, then click search to view the different machines with these features.

• If you have a large arm type in "large arm" in the keyword field of the products page, then click search to view the selections available to you. Before making a purchase however, measure your arm conference and make sure that your measurement is within arm circumference specifications of the machine that you are planning to purchase.  Do likewise if you have a small arm with the exception of typing in "small arm" in the keyword field.

• If you can’t find an upper arm machine large enough to accommodate your arm circumference you will probably be best served by a wrist monitor if your wrist circumference is between 5.25 and 8.5 inches.

• If you have any other special needs in a blood pressure monitoring machine try typing in the word or words relating to that need in the keyword field, then click search.

We hope you have an enjoyable and beneficial shopping experience.