GoKawiilYour blood pressure can be tipped slightly by many factors, so to get an accurate reading you need to control things like posture, how recently you've eaten or consumed coffee and how still you're sitting. For a complete list of tips on how to take your blood pressure at home, refer to the American Heart Association and the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention .
The fanciest blood pressure monitor out there will mean nothing if you don't use it or you can't afford it. Consider whether you want a more involved setup, or a "no-frills" type of monitor. Other factors also come into play, such as finding an appropriate cuff size for your arm or whether you want an easy way to share results with your doctor.
You don't need a prescription or a doctor's recommendation to monitor your blood pressure at home, so you can buy whatever one you please online. But for the best and safest results, make sure you choose a monitor that's been tested to confirm it does what the company says it can. You can also ask your doctor for their recommendation.
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If you have a heart condition such as hypertension, the American Heart Association recommends regularly tracking your blood pressure. It's important to have a device on hand that you can rely on to monitor and prevent potential medical episodes. We spoke with cardiologists to narrow down the best blood pressure monitors to have at home. The best part is they're all user-friendly and FDA-approved.
Our Picks Best smart blood pressure monitor Withings BPM Connect Wi-Fi Smart Blood Pressure Monitor $130 at Amazon The Withings BPM Connect feels trendy and it provides a consistent and accurate result. For the upper arm cuff fit, comfort and ease of use, the Withings BPM Connect holds its own. The app is also a breeze once you're in, and it has unlimited storage for your BP measurement needs (although the device will remember only up to eight readings in between syncs). You can also set up multiple user profiles in the Withings Health Mate app, which is a plus if you have multiple people in a household who want to track their blood pressure. Pros Allows for multiple users
Clinically validated Cons There are more affordable blood pressure monitors Expand Pros & Cons Best blood pressure monitor with EKG Omron Complete Wireless Upper Arm Blood Pressure Monitor + EKG $117 at Amazon The Omron Complete Wireless Upper Arm Blood Pressure Monitor with EKG was the first FDA-approved combination EKG-blood pressure device in the US. Omron produced the product in partnership with AliveCor, which powers many FDA-approved consumer electrocardiogram (EKG or ECG) devices. Pros Very consistent readings
Tracks other health metrics, like pulse and atrial fibrillation Cons Bulkier than other models
On the expensive side Expand Pros & Cons Best blood pressure monitor for larger arms LifeSource Upper Arm Blood Pressure Monitor With Extra Large Cuff $130 at Amazon If you have larger upper arms, you know that not all arm monitors fit comfortably, making blood pressure management and monitoring a huge pain. Enter the LifeSource Upper Arm Blood Pressure Monitor With Extra Large Cuff; this blood pressure cuff accommodates an arm circumference of a bit more than 23 inches. Pros Accommodates arm circumference up to 23.6 inches Cons May give inaccurate results for smaller arms
More expensive than other models Expand Pros & Cons Most affordable blood pressure monitor Omron 3 Series $37 at Best Buy The Omron 3 Series is one of the more affordable blood pressure monitors out there, and importantly, it's one you can also feel confident has been clinically validated. Pros One of the more affordable blood pressure monitors
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