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Mini check up today and blood pressure was a little higher than ideal - not a cause for immediate concern, reasons on the day, things to work on, but was suggested I might like to get a decent blood pressure monitor at home and keep an eye on it more regularly.
"Decent" apparently is £25 and over, so looking for recommendations please.
Any one on amazon. They really don’t vary by much.
Omron M2 Basic is around £32.
My GP lent me the same one and I bought one after using it for a week.
Omron are some of the best.
Another Omron user here. Had it many years, still doing it's job.
I got one of these from Argos just over 3 1/2 years ago. Works fine still, had a couple of battery changes and allegedly has St Johns Ambulance endorsement.
https://www.argos.co.uk/product/7480393?clickSR=slp:term:blood%20pressure%20monitor:1:15:1
I think any from a regular retailer would be fine. Thought eBay or Amazon specials might be a bit hot and miss and for £20 didn't see the point of saving a few quid over a 'real' shop.
Edit: I don't know if any other features are worthwhile. The GP is happy with numbers written on a piece of paper.
Omron here too. It's what the GP uses, so went with that. I got the cheapest one that could Bluetooth readings to your phone, M7 I think. Been quite useful when they've asked for readings, I can just export them and email.
Our OMRON seems better/more consistent that the unbranded one we started out with. Not that expensive either.
It’s one of these, looks to be a bit more than I remembered but would be happy to buy another one if we had a need to.
There is a clinician approved list I've see somewhere, but as said already Omron are standard issue. Personally I find the arm cuff gives more consistent readings than a wrist cuff. YBPMV
Kinetik BPx1a here. St. John Ambulance recommended at the time
Also Omrom user here, same one used by my doctor. It’s called an Evolv. They seem to be stupidly expensive on Amazon but I only paid about £30 at Boots.
Omron M2 basic
Yep if you're going to be checking regularly long term, and tracking, the Omron one that bluetooths to your phone is great. If just the occasional random check, the Omron basic works great.
“Mini check up today and blood pressure was a little higher than ideal”
My blood pressure always peaks when at the Doc’s, fairly common thing. Also whenever I’ve checked my BP at my parents, it’s been high, although I also once squeezed a mug so hard, the handle snapped off whilst listening to their views on brexit and stuf.
Calmed right down when I had week in hospital with a couple of fractures. Got used to the cuff I guess.
But yeah, we’ve got an Omron m2? seems pretty good, comes with a bag and handy diary sheet.
Has a memory for two users.
I have an Omron too. It's a HEM-413C and the user manual is dated 1992 🙂
Another Omron user here. The GP recommended the basic one, but I bought the slightly more advanced one with the bluetooth/App.
Boots branded is an Omron
£21.50 collect at your local store
https://www.boots.com/boots-pharmaceuticals-blood-pressure-monitor-upper-arm-unit-10217394
I've got an unused boxed Omron I'll sell on at a good price if you're interested. Been meaning to eBay it.
Omron here
Omron with the correct sized cuff for you arm and go skin to cuff not constricted by clothing.
take a few readings at a time as well as they vary - the collar might settle after the first use - I don't know.
I was considering one that records to an app but because of the variance in readings I thought I'd just check the average every now and again, so just got a standard Omron.
And take your readings before your morning coffee otherwise you might think you are on your way to hypertension.
In terms of recording and trends, I've started noting my readings in Garmin Connect.
Please not from ****ing Amazon.
Go direct the British Heart foundation. I assume some of the profit will end up used for a good cause, not for another dollar to one the richest men in the world.
Good call on the BHF,thanks for that
Another vote for omron
I have the one that has a big switch to allow 2 people to record results but the basic one that just shows the result is what my GP uses (and they are about £20)
I seem to have accrued three of them (Omrons) but don't use them as I'd rather live in ignorant bliss.
Bananas are good apparently
Another for Omron M2.
take a few readings at a time as well as they vary
Good advice. I always ignore the first reading I get and then use the average of the 2nd and 3rd. Also don’t take your readings for a couple of hours after tea or coffee. Other measurement strategies and no caffeine periods are also advised by different groups.
Omron M3 Comfort here. I find its first reading is always a bit high but then it becomes really consistent. I usually note its second reading, or take a few and average out. Useful to also use a free app to record and view history, graphs, etc.
One of my GP friends uses the same units in her practice 👍
In terms of recording and trends, I’ve started noting my readings in Garmin Connect.
I have the garmin blood pressure monitor, so that the readings are automatically recorded in connect
Yeah, but I wasn't planning on spending that much 😂
(I do have a set of bathroom scales that sync to Connect though).