Today, a tonometer can be bought at almost any pharmacy. This product is presented in different price categories, designs … What should you think about first of all in order to make the right choice?
If there are elderly people among your relatives or you have problems with blood pressure, a blood pressure monitor will be one of the necessary medical devices and you should definitely buy it. But not all blood pressure monitors are equally easy to use. Let's think about what parameters of the device you need to pay attention to in order to choose the most suitable tonometer.
1. Type of tonometer
Today you can purchase a mechanical, semi-automatic and automatic tonometer. The first of them is well known to older people, since it was this one that was used by every doctor during the Soviet era. The second and third are modern developments. The measurement of pressure with their help is almost completely automated (the device measures the pressure itself and it is displayed on the liquid crystal display). The difference between automatic and semi-automatic tonometers is only in the mechanism for pressurizing the cuff - manually (with a pear) or using a built-in electric pump.
Helpful Hint: If you are not familiar with the principles of measuring pressure, do not choose a mechanical tonometer! By the way, such a device is inconvenient to use to measure pressure on oneself.
2. Additional features
Many modern models of tonometers make it possible not only to measure blood pressure, but also to determine the pulse, note the presence of arrhythmia. It is also convenient if the tonometer stores the last pressure values in memory.
3. Tonometer price
An important factor for many of us. The cheapest tonometer is a mechanical one. The most expensive type is automatic, but it must be remembered that prices for automatic tonometers from different manufacturers vary greatly.
Useful advice: before buying a tonometer, consult a doctor, pharmacist selling these tonometers, look for reviews on the Internet about the model you like. Most likely, healthcare professionals and experienced patients have already discovered the hidden flaws in the model.
