home blood pressure monitors

I am concerned about the accuracy of typical blood pressure monitors that run $50-$100 at any drug store.   I have one and I'm sure I"m taking my pressure correctly but sometimes it gives me weird readings,  for example  77/41...  and 1 minute later  118/74  (which is in line with my normal)...    Then I'll get 111/51,  etc.       I would actually be willing to spend several hundred dollars if I could be assured of a professional accuracy but I'm not sure where to look.    Do you know of any specific makes and brands which are tested by unbiased sources,  or can I rely on the any typical $50 model

[erijon]

Rob,

Just my two cents, I would pass on the cheap automated arm cuff units. If you do go with an arm cuff unit get a good one, it's important to get the right cuff size as well. I use a Omron HEM637 with APS. It's a wrist monitor and the knock on these has always been that you must have it in the proper position in relationship to your heart to be accurate. The Omron units have APS which senses the location of your heart and will not take a reading unless it is in the correct position. It is the only wrist monitor that is recommended by the British Hypertension Society and was recommended by my Cardiologist. It is also important that you get it calibrated often. I will take mine to my doctor on occasion to check it's accuracy and it's always spot on.

Looking forward to the Doctor's opinion...............


Jon

[twinbee]

I also have an Omron. My EP recommended it. When I received mine I brought it into my EP's office during a visit and they checked it out. Mine is very accurate. So now whenever I have an appointment with my EP I bring it in to make sure it matches the BP my doctors office gets from their monitors.

[Rob2008]

twinbee, what model # do you use?

[Rob2008]

The one I use is a "Reli-ON"  which seems like an odd off brand

[twinbee]

model # HEM-650N. I really don't remember how much it cost. It also won't take your pressure unless it is in the right position. You have to listen of the "beeps". I like this one also because  it is faster than some other wrist cuffs I have used in the past.

[Rob2008]

Interesting,   I'm just trying to imagine how it can detect what level it's at...that seems like it would be a more sophisticated technology than you'd find for home units