Digital Arm Blood Pressure Monitor Buying Guide

In recent years, with the popularity of electronic blood pressure monitors, self-testing of blood pressure at home has attracted more and more attention. Self-measurement of blood pressure is convenient, easy, and cheap. Patients can measure it at any time, understand their blood pressure in a timely manner, improve treatment compliance, and avoid high blood pressure measurements caused by mental stress. Although electronic blood pressure monitors have many benefits, they will inevitably encounter many problems during use. We have collected some frequently asked questions and provided answers for readers.

1. Is the electronic blood pressure monitor affected by seasons? When using an electronic sphygmomanometer, the blood pressure is normal when measured in summer, but high when measured in winter. Will the accuracy of the electronic sphygmomanometer be affected by temperature?

Answer: It is not the electronic blood pressure monitor that is affected by the seasons, but the human blood pressure that is affected by the seasons. Blood pressure will decrease slightly in summer and increase significantly in winter, especially in the elderly. American scholars have found that systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure are 12 mm Hg and 5.5 mm Hg respectively higher in winter than in summer. Therefore, when the weather gets cooler and the temperature drops, the type or dose of antihypertensive drugs should be appropriately increased under the guidance of a doctor based on blood pressure measurements.

2. Does the cuff height affect the measurement results? The product description of the electronic blood pressure monitor reads: Place the cuff at the level of the heart for measurement. Why do electronic blood pressure monitors have strict requirements on measurement locations?Answer: The height of the cuff should be at the same level as the heart. If the cuff position is too high, the measured blood pressure value will be low; if the cuff position is too low, the measured blood pressure value will be high. In addition, when measuring blood pressure, it is best for the subject to sit in a sitting position with his back leaning against the back of the chair, and then wrap the cuff around his bare left upper arm for measurement.

3. What should I do if the self-measured blood pressure is inconsistent with the blood pressure measured by the hospital? When using electronic blood pressure measurement at home, the systolic blood pressure was only 135 mmHg, but when I went to the hospital for a physical examination, the blood pressure was 140 mmHg. Is the electronic blood pressure monitor inaccurate? Is this considered high blood pressure?

Answer: The 2010 "China Guidelines for the Prevention and Treatment of Hypertension" pointed out that using an upper-arm fully automatic or semi-automatic electronic sphygmomanometer that meets relevant standards, a home self-measured blood pressure of 135/85 mmHg is equivalent to a clinic blood pressure of 140/90 mmHg. Therefore, a blood pressure of 135 mm Hg measured multiple times at home is considered high blood pressure.

4. Why is it recommended to take the average value for electronic blood pressure monitors?

Answer: A normal person's blood pressure reaches its peak between 8-10 am and 4-6 pm. At night, the blood pressure drops by more than 10% compared with the daytime level. Therefore, the blood pressure at a certain moment cannot represent the overall blood pressure level. It is recommended to take the average of multiple measurements as a reference value for blood pressure levels. Or choose an electronic blood pressure monitor with memory function to overcome the errors caused by the above problems. Some arm blood pressure monitors have multiple memory functions to facilitate calculation of average values. While recording the blood pressure value, you should also record the date, time, location and activity of the measurement for your own and your doctor's reference. 

【 Insight 】 The market size of electronic blood pressure monitors in China is gradually expanding, and it is expected to achieve domestic substitution in the future

At present, the pace of life in China is gradually accelerating, and the pressure of survival is increasing. Unhealthy eating habits, long-term staying up late, and other reasons can easily lead to hypertension, and the number of hypertensive patients is constantly increasing

Electronic blood pressure monitor refers to a medical device that uses modern electronic technology and the principle of indirect blood pressure measurement to measure blood pressure. Compared to traditional blood pressure monitors, electronic blood pressure monitors have advantages such as simple operation, long data storage time, and synchronous measurement of multiple parts. According to different measurement locations, electronic blood pressure monitors can be divided into watch type blood pressure monitors, arm type blood pressure monitors, wrist type blood pressure monitors, etc. As an effective tool for blood pressure measurement, electronic blood pressure monitors are mainly suitable for patients with hypertension or those who prevent hypertension and constantly monitor their physical condition.

In recent years, China's economic level has gradually improved, and the quality of life of residents has gradually improved. They are more concerned about their own health situation, and their concept of seeking medical treatment has gradually changed. The per capita healthcare expenditure has gradually increased. According to data released by the National Bureau of Statistics, in 2022, China's per capita healthcare consumption expenditure reached 2120 yuan, a year-on-year increase of 0.20%, accounting for 8.60% of per capita consumption expenditure. In addition, the aging population in China is gradually increasing, and the probability of various chronic and underlying diseases is gradually increasing, which is driving the continuous growth of demand in the medical device market in China. In this context, the scale of China's medical device market is gradually expanding. According to data released by the China Medical Device Special Committee, the size of China's medical device market reached 1.3 trillion yuan in 2022, with a compound annual growth rate of approximately 17.50%. As one of the segmented products of medical devices, the market for electronic blood pressure monitors is gradually growing.

According to the "2023-2027 Electronic Blood Pressure Monitor Benchmark Enterprises and Competitors Special Research Report" released by the Industry Research Center, at present, the pace of life in China is gradually accelerating, survival pressure is gradually increasing, unhealthy eating habits, long-term staying up late and tiring are all easy to cause hypertension, and the number of hypertensive patients is constantly increasing. According to data from the China Center for Disease Control and Prevention, approximately 245 million adults in China will suffer from hypertension in 2022, with a normal high value population of 435 million. As an important tool for measuring blood pressure, the market demand for electronic blood pressure monitors is constantly increasing. In this context, the market size of electronic blood pressure monitors in China is showing an increasing trend year by year. From 2018 to 2022, the size of China's electronic blood pressure market increased from 2.67 billion yuan to 7.13 billion yuan, with a compound annual growth rate of 27.83%.

Industry analysts say that there are a large number of electronic blood pressure monitor companies in China, with foreign companies mainly including Omron, Panasonic, AiAnde, Philips Medical, etc. Domestic companies mainly include Fulin Medical, Yuyue Medical, Youpin Medical, Changkun Technology, Good Nurse, Jiuan Medical, Lexin, Haier Medical, Lvyuan Hengtai, Fudakang, etc. Among them, foreign enterprise Omron has the largest market share, reaching 72.5%; Next is domestic enterprise Yuyue Medical, with a market share of 11.6%. At present, most of the electronic blood pressure monitor market in China is still occupied by foreign enterprises. However, as Chinese enterprises gradually improve product quality, enrich product functions, and enhance their competitiveness, it is expected to achieve domestic substitution in the future.

                                                      Expert Advice on Selecting an Electronic Blood Pressure Monitor: A Step-by-Step Guide

Consult a doctor or professional to fully understand the product before purchasing and using it

It is recommended that consumers purchase and use the product under the guidance of doctors or professionals. Before use, they should fully understand the scope of application and contraindications of the product to prevent harm to health due to misuse.

Online shopping, selecting brand self operated stores (flagship stores), purchasing, viewing Type Approval (CPA) logo

It is recommended that consumers go to regular pharmacies or medical device stores. If they choose to purchase online, it is best to choose brand owned stores (flagship stores). They should pay attention to checking whether the product packaging is complete, whether the product information is complete, and especially pay attention to checking whether there is a Type Approval (CPA) logo and a product production license issued by the drug regulatory department to prevent buying counterfeit and inferior products.

Pay attention to choosing products that are suitable for oneself

At present, electronic blood pressure monitors are mainly divided into two types: upper arm and wrist. The upper arm type measures the brachial artery of the upper arm with high accuracy and is not limited by the user group. The wrist type has a small volume and is easy to carry, making it suitable for middle-aged and young people who frequently travel and have no clear medical history.

Emphasize practical functions

Consumers should choose from the fundamental need of measuring blood pressure, and then consider the needs of other functions of blood pressure monitors, rather than blindly pursuing "high-tech".

Pay attention to these three steps when buying a home blood pressure monitor to effectively avoid buying annoying products! In the years of the pandemic, many daily activities have been limited, which is still the case for ordinary people. For some chronic disease patients, going to the hospital has also become a journey that needs to be considered. Many chronic disease patients choose to monitor their body values such as blood pressure and blood oxygen at home to maintain their health.

Among them, people with high blood pressure need to take antihypertensive drugs at regular intervals and in moderation, as well as regularly monitor their blood pressure. Therefore, many hypertensive patients choose to purchase a home blood pressure monitor to facilitate regular monitoring of blood pressure at home.

Do you know how to choose a home blood pressure monitor

What key points should we pay attention to?

First: Evidence review

If you want to buy a reliable blood pressure monitor, the first thing to consider is whether the manufacturer of the product has complete qualifications. Do not purchase low-quality products without guarantee.

Second: Look at the screen

The majority of people who use blood pressure monitors are elderly, and the screen material, size, and font size all affect their user experience. When choosing a product, it is important to pay attention to whether it can also be clearly viewed by the elderly.

Thirdly, look at the price

Expensive products do not necessarily mean they are perfect. Domestic brands have risen strongly, and practical products with high cost-effectiveness are everywhere.

Fourth: Look at individualized needs

Electronic blood pressure monitors are divided into arm type, wrist type, watch type, etc. based on the wearing position. Among them, upper arm type electronic blood pressure monitors are more recommended. Although they may be more troublesome than wrist type, the measurement is relatively stable and the results will be more accurate. Of course, it would be even better if the electronic blood pressure monitor you have chosen also has a voice broadcast function!

When using an electronic blood pressure monitor to measure blood pressure, attention should be paid to keeping the cuff and heart at the same level as much as possible. You should also pay attention to the tightness of the cuffs, they should not be too loose or too tight. After the activity, try to rest for a few minutes before taking blood pressure measurements. Measure at a fixed time every morning and evening, with relatively small monitoring errors.

The appearance of household electronic blood pressure monitors is relatively lightweight, easy to carry, and will not easily be damaged. Compared to mercury sphygmomanometers, they are safer and there is no need to worry about damage to the body if damaged. Electronic blood pressure monitors are more convenient to operate, just tie the cuffs and press the button to monitor. In just a few seconds, you can know your blood pressure status without spending more time.

Expert guidance on how to use electronic blood pressure monitors accurately

In recent years, with the popularization of electronic blood pressure monitors, home self-monitoring of blood pressure has become increasingly important. Self testing blood pressure is convenient, feasible, and inexpensive. Patients can measure their blood pressure at any time, timely understand their own blood pressure situation, improve treatment compliance, and avoid high blood pressure measurement values caused by mental stress. Although electronic blood pressure monitors have many benefits, it is inevitable to encounter many problems during use. We have collected some frequently asked questions and provided readers with answers.

1.Is electronic blood pressure monitors affected by seasons? Using an electronic blood pressure monitor, when measured in summer, blood pressure is normal, but when measured in winter, blood pressure is higher. Will the accuracy of an electronic blood pressure monitor be affected by temperature?

Answer: It's not that electronic blood pressure monitors are influenced by seasons, but rather that human blood pressure is influenced by seasons. Blood pressure will slightly decrease in summer and significantly increase in winter, especially for the elderly. American scholars have found that systolic and diastolic blood pressure in winter are 12 millimeters and 5.5 millimeters of mercury higher than in summer, respectively. Therefore, when the weather cools down and the temperature drops, blood pressure measurements should be combined and the type or dosage of antihypertensive drugs should be appropriately increased under the guidance of a doctor.

2.Does the height of the cuffs affect the measurement results? The electronic blood pressure monitor product description states: The cuff is placed at the heart level for measurement. Why do electronic blood pressure monitors require strict measurement positions?

Answer: The height of the cuff should be at the same level as the heart. If the cuff position is too high, the measured blood pressure value will be lower; If the cuff position is too low, the measured blood pressure value will be higher. In addition, when measuring blood pressure, it is best for the subject to sit in a sitting position, lean their back against the back of the chair, expose their left upper arm, and wrap a cuff around it for measurement.

3.What should I do if the blood pressure measured by myself is inconsistent with that measured by the hospital? When using an electronic blood pressure monitor at home, the systolic blood pressure is only 135 millimeters of mercury, but when going to the hospital for a physical examination, the blood pressure is 140 millimeters of mercury. Is the electronic blood pressure monitor inaccurate? Does this situation really count as hypertension?

Answer: In the 2010 Chinese Guidelines for the Prevention and Treatment of Hypertension, it was pointed out that using an upper arm fully automatic or semi-automatic electronic blood pressure monitor that meets relevant standards, the self measured blood pressure at home is 135/85 mmHg, which is equivalent to clinic blood pressure of 140/90 mmHg. Therefore, having blood pressure measured multiple times at home at 135 millimeters of mercury is also considered high blood pressure.

4.Why is it recommended to take the average value for electronic blood pressure monitors?

Answer: The blood pressure of a normal person reaches its peak from 8-10 am and 4-6 pm, and decreases by more than 10% at night compared to during the day. So, the blood pressure at a certain moment cannot represent the overall blood pressure level. It is recommended to take the average of multiple measurements as a reference value for blood pressure levels. Alternatively, choose an electronic blood pressure monitor with memory function to overcome the errors caused by the aforementioned issues. Some arm style blood pressure monitors have multiple memory functions, making it easy to calculate the average value. At the same time as recording blood pressure values, the measurement date, time, location, and activity should also be recorded for reference by oneself and the doctor.

An electronic blood pressure monitor is a medical device that uses electronic technology to measure human blood pressure values. Compared to traditional water column blood pressure monitors, electronic blood pressure monitors have the characteristics of being more convenient, accurate, and fast. In the context of an increasing number of patients with hypertension and cardiovascular diseases, electronic blood pressure monitors have become essential health equipment for many households.

Electronic blood pressure monitors typically consist of a cuff and a display screen, which are attached to a person's arm. Through pressure sensors and microprocessors, they can measure data such as systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, and pulse in the human body. These data will be displayed on the display screen to help people better understand their blood pressure situation.

Electronic blood pressure monitors have many advantages. Firstly, their measurement speed is fast, and accurate measurement results can be obtained in just a few seconds without waiting too long. Secondly, the measurement results of electronic blood pressure monitors are accurate and reliable, with a very small error range, which is more accurate than traditional water column blood pressure monitors. In addition, electronic blood pressure monitors also have portability, small size, light weight, and can be used anytime, anywhere, which is very convenient.

At the same time, the use of electronic blood pressure monitors is also very simple, just tie the cuff on the arm and press the button to measure. However, traditional water column blood pressure monitors require more manual operation and are more cumbersome to use.

Of course, electronic blood pressure monitors also have drawbacks. Firstly, they require a battery or charging to function. If the battery is used up or not fully charged, measurements cannot be taken. Secondly, the price of electronic blood pressure monitors is relatively high, which may be difficult for some economically disadvantaged groups.

In summary, electronic blood pressure monitors are a very practical medical device that can help people better control their blood pressure and prevent the occurrence of cardiovascular diseases. For patients with hypertension and cardiovascular diseases, electronic blood pressure monitors are an essential health device.