What Is the Most Accurate Blood Pressure Monitor for Home Use 2021?

Your vitals, such as temperature, heart rate, and blood pressure (BP), are important determinants of health. Measuring your BP is especially important if you are on medications for hypertension or have an increased risk of heart disease.

Although getting your blood pressure measured by a professional with a manual device (sphygmomanometer) provides the most accurate results, going to the doctor’s office for daily readings isn’t always convenient or feasible.

Based on user ratings across several platforms, here are the top three at-home blood pressure monitors for 2021 that are easy to use and give accurate readings when operated properly.

3 best home blood pressure monitors

1. Omron Platinum BP5450

• Type: Wireless upper arm BP monitor
• Features:

• FDA-approved
• Validated by the American Heart Association for clinical accuracy
• Bluetooth connectivity
• Horizontally designed, backlit dual-display monitor
• Good storage capacity (stores up to 200 readings)
• Can store readings separately for 2 users (100 readings each)
• TruRead technology (allows you to automatically take 3 consecutive readings at intervals you can customize and then displays the average)
• High morning average indicator (calculates daily morning average BP and gives an alert with a “HIGH” symbol on the display if morning weekly average systolic BP measures 130 mmHg or above and/or your diastolic BP is 80 mmHg or above)
• Wide-range D-ring cuff that fits arms 9 to 17 inches in circumference

2. Care Touch Fully Automatic Wrist Blood Pressure Cuff Monitor, Platinum Series

• Type: Wrist BP monitor
• Features:

• FDA-approved
• Can measure BP and heartbeat rate with wrist circumference ranging from 5.5 to 8.5 inches
• Can detect an irregular heartbeat
• Turns off automatically when no activity is detected
• Can store up to 60 readings
• Large liquid crystal display (LCD)
• Gives BP reading in 60 seconds

Although the American Heart Association does not recommend using wrist or finger BP monitors, these gadgets may be used if you can’t have your BP measured at the upper arm, whether because your arm is too large or you find arm cuffs painful.

Readings from a wrist BP monitor may be higher since the wrist arteries are narrower and not as deep as those of the upper arm.

3. Omron evolve

• Type: wireless upper arm BP monitor
• Features:

• FDA-approved
• Validated by the American Heart Association for clinical accuracy
• Bluetooth enabled
• Suitable for multiple users
• Can store unlimited readings when used with the app
• Suitable for larger arms since the cuff extends from circumferences of 9-17 inches

QUESTION

How to choose a blood pressure monitor for home use

To choose a reliable blood pressure (BP) monitor, you should:

• Ask your doctor for recommendations.
• Choose an AHA-validated monitor (the list can be viewed on validatebp.org).
• Get an upper arm BP monitor unless you have a problem fitting the cuff around your arm, in which case you can use a wrist BP monitor.
• Select the right cuff size. According to the American College of Cardiology and American Heart Association, adult cuff sizes are categorized as:

• Adult small: Arm circumference of 22 to 26 centimeters (about 8.5 to 10 inches).
• Adult average: Arm circumference of 27 to 34 centimeters (about 10.5 to 13 inches).
• Adult large: Arm circumference of 35 to 44 centimeters (about 13.5 to 17 inches).

How to measure your blood pressure at home

To ensure correct usage of your BP monitor, practice using it with your medical provider during a doctor’s appointment. Compare the readings from your BP monitor with theirs and discuss any accuracy issues.

• Measure your BP after resting for at least 5 minutes.

• Don’t measure your BP immediately after exercise, drinking coffee, or using tobacco (including smoking). Wait at least 30 minutes.
• Since BP measured when you are stressed may be higher, it’s best to relax before taking your BP.
• Take at least 2 readings about a minute apart in the morning before taking any medication and in the evening before dinner or as advised by your doctor.
• Measure your blood pressure in both arms the first time you use the monitor, then use the arm with the highest reading for future readings.
• Note down readings along with the time to track average readings and spikes.

How long should you wait to take your blood pressure after working out?

Wait at least 30 minutes after working out before taking your blood pressure, as exercise can temporarily raise your systolic blood pressure

During a workout, your heart needs more oxygen than at rest, causing increased breathing and blood pumping. Systolic blood pressure can elevate to about 160-200 mmHg during exercise, with minimal change in diastolic blood pressure.

Other factors that affect post-workout blood pressure reading include:

• Diet
• Caffeine intake
• Conditions such as hypertension and thyroid disorders
• Medications such as beta-blockers

Does exercise affect long-term blood pressure?

Regular exercise is the best way to control high blood pressure in the long term. Moderate physical activities that increase heart and breathing rates include:

• Active sports like basketball or tennis
• Climbing stairs
• Walking
• Jogging
• Bicycling
• Swimming
• Dancing
• Household chores like mowing the lawn, raking leaves, gardening, or scrubbing the floor

The American Heart Association recommends getting at least 150 minutes of moderate aerobic activity or 75 minutes of vigorous aerobic exercise per week.

If you lead a sedentary lifestyle, aim for at least 15 minutes of low-intensity physical exercises daily, such as jogging, walking, or doing jumping jacks.

How does regular exercise lower blood pressure?

A healthy heart can pump blood effortlessly, reducing arterial tension and ultimately lowering blood pressure. Regular exercise can lower blood pressure by an average of 4-9 mmHg for those with high blood pressure.

Here’s why daily exercise is beneficial for blood pressure:

• Weight control: Regular exercise helps maintain weight. A 10% weight reduction can lower blood pressure in the long run.
• Stress reduction: Exercise releases endorphins that reduce stress and blood pressure by decreasing cortisol levels in the body.
• Blood flow: Physical activity promotes the release of nitric oxide, which widens blood vessels and improves blood flow to organs and tissues, including the heart.

What are warning signs to stop a workout?

If your systolic blood pressure exceeds 200 mmHg during a workout, watch out for these symptoms:

• Chest, neck, jaw, or arm pain or tightness
• Dizziness or faintness
• Severe shortness of breath
• Irregular heartbeat

If you experience any of these warning signs, stop exercising as they can indicate serious heart problems.

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Tsukiyama Y, Ito T, Nagaoka K, Eguchi E, Ogino K. "Effects of exercise training on nitric oxide, blood pressure, and antioxidant enzymes." J Clin Biochem Nutr 60.3 (2017): 180-186. doi:10.3164/jcbn.16-108