Blood pressure monitor

TODouble2 · Mar 26, 2012

I bought an automatic blood pressure monitor but had to return it because the cuff was too small for my arm. Can anyone recommend a good automatic monitor with a cuff large enough to fit my arm. It's 17 and a half inches.

GetYucked · Mar 26, 2012

I just bought a manual one from Walmart. I was concerned about the size of the cuff because it only went up to 14", but the reviews said it went much larger.

You should check to see if they have a larger replacement cuff for the one you purchased.

Sandow · Mar 26, 2012

Honestly, the easiest thing to do is just stop in at your doctor's office and have it checked once in a while. It is free, and you will get an accurate reading. The automatic monitors can be inaccurate.

TODouble2 · Mar 26, 2012

GetYucked said:
I just bought a manual one from Walmart. I was concerned about the size of the cuff because it only went up to 14", but the reviews said it went much larger.

You should check to see if they have a larger replacement cuff for the one you purchased.

They had a replacement but it only goes up to 17 inches.

saps · Mar 26, 2012

Standard cuff is for 9-13" arms, large cuff is for 13-17" and extra large for 17-20". Now mind you this isn't your flexed bent arm measurement, its your straight arm measurement above the elbow. If you have flexed arms of 18-19" you will fit the large cuff. Mind you the large cuff is not standard but you can get an add-on or just buy the unit itself with the large cuff.
I will agree that the home units from manufacturer's like Omron can give widely varying reading. So they are better than nothing but don't put all your eggs in one basket. I've done a test and then hit the button again right after and the readings were 20-30 points different. So when I use the one at my in laws I'll usually do 3 readings back to back to back per arm and then average them out

TODouble2 · Mar 26, 2012

Sandow said:
Honestly, the easiest thing to do is just stop in at your doctor's office and have it checked once in a while. It is free, and you will get an accurate reading. The automatic monitors can be inaccurate.

I don't want to go to the doctor just to check my blood pressure. I like to check on my own whatever I can as often as possible. I get checkups regularly but when i take certain compounds I want to be able to keep track of it.

TODouble2 · Mar 26, 2012

saps said:
Standard cuff is for 9-13" arms, large cuff is for 13-17" and extra large for 17-20". Now mind you this isn't your flexed bent arm measurement, its your straight arm measurement above the elbow. If you have flexed arms of 18-19" you will fit the large cuff. Mind you the large cuff is not standard but you can get an add-on or just buy the unit itself with the large cuff.
I will agree that the home units from manufacturer's like Omron can give widely varying reading. So they are better than nothing but don't put all your eggs in one basket. I've done a test and then hit the button again right after and the readings were 20-30 points different. So when I use the one at my in laws I'll usually do 3 readings back to back to back per arm and then average them out

I contacted omron and they said they don't make an extra large cuff. Only large which goes to 17 inches. I did measure my arm flexed so you're right. It will probably fit my arm if kept straight.

SecondAct · Mar 26, 2012

Try one of these. My father was prescribed one by a physician, not this brand, just an example. I'll have to look at my father's to see brand, but I use it quite often, and while I can't attest to it being totally accurate, it's readings have been very similar to my doctor's office, so I think it's decent. When using it, the hand must be held above the heart.

Amazon.com: Digital Wrist Blood Pressure Monitor: Cuff Size 5.3&#8220 -8.5&#8220 (13.5 - 21.6 cm): Health & Personal Care

saps · Mar 26, 2012

With all due respect the wrist cuff has been shown overall and in general to not be nearly as accurate as an arm cuff. Yeah its better than nothing. But if you are spending that much $$ might as well get the most accurate one you can.

SecondAct · Mar 26, 2012

saps said:
With all due respect the wrist cuff has been shown overall and in general to not be nearly as accurate as an arm cuff. Yeah its better than nothing. But if you are spending that much $$ might as well get the most accurate one you can.

No problem, his insurance covered it, and I agree, it's probably not that accurate in comparison, but it has been for me. I just thought you had exhausted options, and if anything, it at least measures the trending, or if you are staying steady at a number. Good luck in your search.

maldorf · Mar 26, 2012

saps said:
Standard cuff is for 9-13" arms, large cuff is for 13-17" and extra large for 17-20". Now mind you this isn't your flexed bent arm measurement, its your straight arm measurement above the elbow. If you have flexed arms of 18-19" you will fit the large cuff. Mind you the large cuff is not standard but you can get an add-on or just buy the unit itself with the large cuff.
I will agree that the home units from manufacturer's like Omron can give widely varying reading. So they are better than nothing but don't put all your eggs in one basket. I've done a test and then hit the button again right after and the readings were 20-30 points different. So when I use the one at my in laws I'll usually do 3 readings back to back to back per arm and then average them out

Yeah, just get a cuff and stethoscope and learn how to do in manually. Its really easy. There are people on here that can explain how to do it if you need help. I do my own. Much more accurate. I bought a cuff that is really large, not sure how big it is good for but it was easy to find one.

BIGGMIKE295 · Mar 26, 2012

Here is the one I currently use weekly. I have checked it against the one at my Dr's office and it is accurate.

**broken link removed**
AccuFit Cuff Fits Large Arms

Cuffs that are too small or too large will result in inaccurate readings. This AccuFit Extra Large Cuff has been specially created to fit arms ranging from 16-1/2 to 23-3/5 inches around, making it ideal for large arms. Ideal for body builders, weight lifters, football players and bariatric patients, the cuff is cone shaped to give the user a better fit.

TODouble2 · Mar 27, 2012

maldorf said:
Yeah, just get a cuff and stethoscope and learn how to do in manually. Its really easy. There are people on here that can explain how to do it if you need help. I do my own. Much more accurate. I bought a cuff that is really large, not sure how big it is good for but it was easy to find one.

i never thought of that.. my sister is a nurse so i'm sure she could show me.

TODouble2 · Mar 27, 2012

BIGGMIKE295 said:
Here is the one I currently use weekly. I have checked it against the one at my Dr's office and it is accurate.

**broken link removed**
AccuFit Cuff Fits Large Arms

Cuffs that are too small or too large will result in inaccurate readings. This AccuFit Extra Large Cuff has been specially created to fit arms ranging from 16-1/2 to 23-3/5 inches around, making it ideal for large arms. Ideal for body builders, weight lifters, football players and bariatric patients, the cuff is cone shaped to give the user a better fit.

perfect! do you find it to be accurate?

JOEY11 · Mar 27, 2012

saps said:
With all due respect the wrist cuff has been shown overall and in general to not be nearly as accurate as an arm cuff. Yeah its better than nothing. But if you are spending that much $$ might as well get the most accurate one you can.

damn, i never heard that before. i have one too, i guess it's time to grab a real one next time i go to the doctors office

maldorf · Mar 27, 2012

TODouble2 said:
i never thought of that.. my sister is a nurse so i'm sure she could show me.

Perfect way to learn. She can show you what to do. It is much more accurate than the automated cuffs.

BIGGMIKE295 · Mar 27, 2012

TODouble2 said:
perfect! do you find it to be accurate?

Yes as I have checked my BP at home on a couple different occasions before going to the Dr's office that day.

Ashop · Mar 27, 2012

TODouble2 said:
I bought an automatic blood pressure monitor but had to return it because the cuff was too small for my arm. Can anyone recommend a good automatic monitor with a cuff large enough to fit my arm. It's 17 and a half inches.

You may have to shop around to find you one with a bigger cuff.
You need the big cuff though or your readings will be off.

TODouble2 · Mar 27, 2012

Alin said:
You may have to shop around to find you one with a bigger cuff.
You need the big cuff though or your readings will be off.

true. and i tried it on my wrist and the reading was high. i heard thats not an accurate way to do it either. it defeats the point. if you don't get an accurate reading, you may as well have no reading.

GRAVESY · Mar 27, 2012

Manual is the way to go. I work as an EMT and have gone to numerous calls when people use auto cuffs and think it is high. Then we show up and do it manually and they are generally is a normal range for themselves.

When we show up at the ER and their expensive auto machines take it and it reads high they will sometime check manually to verify the high readings.

Easy to learn and a scope and cuff together will be cheaper than and automatic one.