Blood Pressure: Accuracy of those wrist BP devices?

diverho · 01-04-2004, 10:16 AM

Hi, all,

I got a little device that goes around the wrist to measure blood pressure. It's made by Samsung and they're $55 at Target.

I got this one, because I've read about how the cuffs that go around the arm give erroneous readings for people with big arms (mine are 17").

But, does anyone know the accuracy of these things? I take my blood pressure and it varies from 90-139 Systolic and 70-100 Diastolic. Is this normal daily variation? Or am I using the device inconsistently? Or what? I have found that holding the device at wrist level is important. My arm down or arm held straight up will cause changes in the diastolic pressure from 40 to 170.

Any comments/advice/pointers/info is appreciated.

-D

archive_Ulter · 01-04-2004, 10:42 AM

If you're over 15", and you are, then you need an extension if you want to be totally accurate.

Colonel · 01-08-2004, 06:48 PM

Ultler, he's talking about a wrist device.

I have one made by Braun and it's pretty damn consistent. I've noticed that I can make it read just a few points lower by tightening the strap excessively. Other than that it seems to agree with what the doctor tells me.

Billy_Bathgate · 01-08-2004, 11:02 PM

Im in EMT school right now and our instructors brought in a bunch of wrist ones, electic ones, auto ones, etc. They were all unconsistant.

Get a regualar cuff. Make sure that the cuff fits your arm. There are markings in the inside that have to line up within a certain range. The normal large ones are a joke. Your gonna have to get a XL or even a leg cuff if you arms really big.

They aren't that much though. I believe I payed 40 for mine through our local hospital.

If you want, you can learn to palpate your BP. It only will tell you the systolic, but if you practice you can get pretty accurate. (you get a radial pulse and then inflate the cuff, slowly release air and when you feel your pulse again, you have your systolic)

That or you can buy a stethescope.

Just my opinion...

01-04-2004, 10:16 AM	#1 (permalink)
diverho Gold Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Posts: 267 Rep Power: 5584	Blood Pressure: Accuracy of those wrist BP devices? Hi, all, I got a little device that goes around the wrist to measure blood pressure. It's made by Samsung and they're $55 at Target. I got this one, because I've read about how the cuffs that go around the arm give erroneous readings for people with big arms (mine are 17"). But, does anyone know the accuracy of these things? I take my blood pressure and it varies from 90-139 Systolic and 70-100 Diastolic. Is this normal daily variation? Or am I using the device inconsistently? Or what? I have found that holding the device at wrist level is important. My arm down or arm held straight up will cause changes in the diastolic pressure from 40 to 170. Any comments/advice/pointers/info is appreciated. -D

01-04-2004, 10:42 AM	#2 (permalink)
archive_Ulter Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2000 Posts: 15,388 Rep Power: 21906	If you're over 15", and you are, then you need an extension if you want to be totally accurate. __________________

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01-08-2004, 06:48 PM	#3 (permalink)
Colonel Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Posts: 9 Rep Power: 3986	Ultler, he's talking about a wrist device. I have one made by Braun and it's pretty damn consistent. I've noticed that I can make it read just a few points lower by tightening the strap excessively. Other than that it seems to agree with what the doctor tells me.

01-08-2004, 11:02 PM	#4 (permalink)
Billy_Bathgate Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2001 Posts: 1,278 Rep Power: 7041	Im in EMT school right now and our instructors brought in a bunch of wrist ones, electic ones, auto ones, etc. They were all unconsistant. Get a regualar cuff. Make sure that the cuff fits your arm. There are markings in the inside that have to line up within a certain range. The normal large ones are a joke. Your gonna have to get a XL or even a leg cuff if you arms really big. They aren't that much though. I believe I payed 40 for mine through our local hospital. If you want, you can learn to palpate your BP. It only will tell you the systolic, but if you practice you can get pretty accurate. (you get a radial pulse and then inflate the cuff, slowly release air and when you feel your pulse again, you have your systolic) That or you can buy a stethescope. Just my opinion...