Before we look at how to use a home blood pressure digital monitor, and which ones are the best, let’s first consider what the blood pressure readings will mean. These figures are taken from the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute.

Digital Home Blood Pressure Monitors v Doctor’s sphygmomanometer

When you get your blood pressure measured at the doctor’s office, he/she will place a cuff around your upper arm, level with your heart.

The cuff is inflated, and then, while the doctor listens on his/her stethoscope placed on your arm just below the cuff, the cuff is slowly deflated. the doctor is listening out for the first signs of a "tapping sound" which signals the point when the cuffs pressure is just less than the pressure of your blood, and blood flows intermittently past the cuff during heart beat. At this point, the doctor notes the pressure on the sphygmomanometer. This is your systolic blood pressure.

The cuff continues to be deflated until the "tapping" sound completely disappears. This is the point where full blood flow has been restored, and represents your diastolic blood pressure.

Measurements taken by your doctor are the most accurate, and most reliable. However, due to a phenomenon called "White Coat Syndrome", some patients find their blood pressure raised by the mere act of visiting the doctor. I suffer from this, and find that my blood pressure is significantly lower (even normal) at home, yet at the doctor’s office, it is always high. Because of White Coat Syndrome, more and more doctors are recommending digital home blood pressure monitors for their patients.

If decide to buy a home monitor, you MUST get it checked at your doctor’s office for accuracy. These meters can be extremely accurate, but you need to check that yours is calibrated properly. All you need to do is to go and get the doctor to check your blood pressure, wait 2 minutes, and then take your blood pressure using your digital meter. The two readings should be very similar (they wont be 100% the same as blood pressure varies). Once accuracy is confirmed, you can confidently take your blood pressure at home.

Types of personal blood pressure monitors

I have seen and used two types of home monitors. One has a cuff that goes around your wrist, while the other has a cuff that goes around your upper arm (at the level of your heart). While I have not done extensive testing, I did find the wrist cuff more temperamental and inaccurate. My own recommendation is that you buy a blood pressure monitor with the arm cuff. They are both similarly priced and can be bought for between $50 – $100.

Precautions when taking your own blood pressure

It is important that your are completely relaxed when you measure your blood pressure. There are also a few other guidelines that you should stick to before taking your reading:

1. Empty your bladder before sitting down to take a reading.
2. Don’t drink coffee for at least an hour before measuring your blood pressure.
3. Don’t smoke for at least 1 hour before.
4. Sit for five minutes with your back supported and your feet flat on the ground before taking your blood pressure. Keep your arm supported on a table at heart height.
5. Do not wear tight fitting clothes on your arm. When you fit the cuff, your rolled up sleeve should not be constricting your arm at all. If in doubt, take off your top.
6. Take two readings two minutes apart, and find the average.

Where to Buy Blood Pressure monitors

With these personal monitors being relatively cheap and yet highly accurate, we recommend you buy one to use at home. This will prevent "White Coat Syndrome" where your blood pressure is elevated just because you visit the doctors. However, when you get your, you must visit your doctor to check its accuracy. 

Our recommended supplier of blood pressure monitors usually have a range of wrist and upper arm cuff monitor.  See our guidelines to choosing a blood pressure monitor, and see what is available online:

Choosing a blood pressure monitor

1. The best option for most people is a digital home blood pressure monitor.  While they are not as accurate as the mercury devices you see at your doctors, they don’t require the use of a stethoscope, and also don’t require any specific training.
2. Digital blood pressure monitors come in three types – arm, wrist & finger.  The most accurate of these is the upper arm cuff model, and it is difficult to recommend any other type UNLESS there is some medical reason why you cannot use an upper arm monitor.
3. Read the instructions for using your monitor – a cuff that is not fitted properly will give inaccurate readings.
4. Look for additional features that you will find useful, e.g. battery operated for portability, reading display size for those with vision problems, memory (so that previous readings are always available to check), and warranty.

A good home blood pressure monitor can alert you to problems.  If you find you do have high blood pressure, do consult your doctor. Below are a list of home blood pressure monitors available online:

Upper Arm Cuff Blood pressure monitors

HoMedics Manual Inflate Blood Pressure Monitor BPS-060 (HoMedics) - The HoMedics Manual Inflate Blood Pressure Monitor Model BPS-060 is a manually inflatable blood pressure monitor that features automatic deflation large readout and up to 60 recordings stored in the internal memory. This manual inflate blood pressure monitor offers accurate blood pressure and pulse measurements quickly and easily.Ref BPS-060 - $30.99

Omron Manual Blood Pressure Monitor with Large Cuff HEM-422CRLC (Omron Healthcare, Inc.) - With Omron Manual Blood Pressure Monitor HEM-422CRLC accurate blood pressure and pulse rate are just a squeeze away. HEM-422 CRLC comes with Large Cuff for arm circumference of 13quot; to 17quot;. Track Your Progress... with 14 Memory Recall. - $45.49

ReliaMed Automatic Blood Pressure Monitor - ZBP500AR (ReliaMed) - The Reliamed Automatic Blood Pressure Monitor ZBP500AR is a top quality monitor with many great features including automatic inflate and measurement of systolic blood pressure diastolic blood pressure and pulse rate. - $47.59

Omron Automatic Blood Pressure Monitor - HEM-712C (Omron Healthcare, Inc.) - The Omron Automatic Blood Pressure Monitor HEM-712C features Intelli Sense Technology for more accurate more comfortable readings. Features simple silent one touch operation. 2 Year Warranty. - $49.99

Mabis Semi-Automatic Digital Blood Pressure Monitor 04-340-000 (Mabis Healthcare, Inc.) - Mabis Semi-Automatic Digital Blood Pressure Monitor comes with a Wide-Range Cuff. Features memory recall stores up to 60 readings a large digital display and quick air exhaust valve. Wide Range Cuff fits arm size 8-58quot; - 10quot;. - $51.79

HealthSmart RX Digital Blood Pressure Arm Monitor (HealthSmart RX) - The HealthSmart RX Digital Blood Pressure Arm Monitor provides clinical accuracy for you on large easy to read display all from the convenience of home! Home blood pressure monitoring combined with regular measurements taken at your doctors office can give you an accurate evaluation of your health and help with important decisions that need to be made. - $54.89

Omron Womens Advanced Blood Pressure Monitor - Upper Arm - 7300W (Omron Healthcare, Inc.) - The Omron Womens Advanced Blood Pressure Monitor is designed to meet the needs of todays active woman including during pregnancy. It features an easy one-touch operation and stores up to 84 test results. - $67.49

Omron Automatic Blood Pressure Monitor - HEM-711AC (Omron Healthcare, Inc.) - The Omron Automatic Blood Pressure Monitor HEM-711AC features Intelli Sense Technology for more accurate more comfortable readings. Up to 40 percent faster than other monitors extra large display advanced diagnostics durable arm cuff. 5 Year Warranty. - $67.79

Omron Deluxe Blood Pressure Monitor with ComFit Cuff - HEM-711DLX (Omron Healthcare, Inc.) - The Omron Deluxe Blood Pressure Monitor HEM-711DLX features Intelli Sense Technology for more accurate more comfortable readings. Up to 2.5 times faster than other monitors Comfit Cuff extra large display advanced diagnostics durable arm cuff. 5 Year Warranty. - $67.99

Mabis SmartSpeed Automatic Digital Blood Pressure Monitor 04-330-001 (Mabis Healthcare, Inc.) - The Mabis SmartSpeed Self-Storing Automatic Digital Blood Pressure Monitor gives automatic blood pressure readings up to 50 faster than typical automatic monitors with clinical accuracy. The cuff stows neatly into a self-contained storage compartment. Fits arm circumference 8 58 in. - 12 58 in. - $79.49

Omron Automatic Blood Pressure Monitor - featuring ComFit Cuff - HEM-780 (Omron Healthcare, Inc.) - Omron Automatic Blood Pressure Monitor HEM-780 is featuring ComFit Cuff with Sigma Technology. HEM-780 uses IntelliSense Technology for Accuracy. 1 Omron Healthcare, Inc. Recommended Pharmacists and Doctors. quot;Doctors Officequot; Accuracy and Reliability. Simple Silent One-Touch Automatic Operation. - $79.69

Omron Ultra Premium Blood Pressure Monitor with ComFit Cuff - HEM-790IT (Omron Healthcare, Inc.) - The Omron Ultra Premium Blood Pressure Monitor with ComFit Cuff HEM-790IT features Intelli Sense Technology for more accurate more comfortable readings. Up to 40 percent faster than other monitors extra large display 2-User 200 memory detects morning hypertension. - $79.99

Upper Wrist Blood pressure monitors

Advocate Wrist Blood Pressure KD-726 $16.99 (Diabetic Supply of Suncoast)

Home Aide Diagnostics Heart Check Wrist Blood Pressure Monitor $20.79 (Home Aide Diagnostics, Inc.)

Clever Chek Digital Wrist Blood Pressure Monitor $23.79 (Simple Diagnostics)

Omron Wrist Blood Pressure Monitor with IntelliSense HEM-629 $52.99 (Omron Healthcare, Inc.)

Omron Wrist Blood Pressure Monitor with IntelliSense HEM-609 $53.99 (Omron Healthcare, Inc.)

Mabis SmartRead Plus Wrist Blood Pressure Monitor 04-248 $63.99 (Mabis Healthcare, Inc.)

Omron Wrist Blood Pressure Monitor with A.P.S. - HEM-650 $68.30 (Omron Healthcare, Inc.)

Omron Ultra Premium Wrist Blood Pressure Monitor with A.P.S - HEM-670IT $99.99 (Omron Healthcare, Inc.)