Rating of the best mechanical blood pressure monitors

A mechanical blood pressure monitor (sphygmomanometer) is a classic among pressure measuring devices. Despite the fact that every year electronic models are improved, mechanics still remain in demand on the market. And not in vain, because the most accurate, and at the same time low-cost, are precisely mechanical devices.

Mechanical tonometer device and principle of operation

Mechanical blood pressure monitors are quite simple in design:

• manometer - a device that measures air pressure. With the help of a scale and arrows, blood pressure is fixed;
• a pear with two valves (for pumping and venting);
• shoulder cuff;
• tube through which air passes;
• phonendoscope (for listening to heart sounds).

Measurement with such a device is quite easy to carry out, but you need to have a good ear, since it is by the sounds of blood pulsation (Korotkov tones) that pressure indicators are indicated.

To measure blood pressure, you must:

1. Take a comfortable pose (better sitting).
2. Put your hand at the level of the heart, bend at the elbow at 15 °.
3. To put on a cuff at a distance of 1,5 - 2 cm from an elbow bend.
4. Inflate the pear with air (at a level slightly higher than systolic blood pressure) and apply a phonendoscope to the bend of the elbow of the same hand.
5. Start gradually letting air out, while the first impulse heard in the phonendoscope is an indicator of systolic pressure.
6. When tones cease to be heard, diastolic pressure is recorded.

Criterias of choice

To get a good mechanical apparatus, you need to know that the devices have differences in configuration. In addition, it is important to consider the characteristics of your body in order to exclude the possibility of an incorrect final result.

So what to look for?

• cuff size. If a person is full, there are devices with an enlarged cuff;
• stethoscope. Not all devices have a complete set. If so, you should buy it separately, since measurement without this part is impossible;
• hearing or vision impairment. In this case, self-use is impossible, since the dial of the manometer is small, and the tones must be carefully listened to;
• quality of materials from which component parts are made. The pear should be resilient, the cuff should be well stitched and lay tightly on the shoulder, the pressure gauge made of high-quality metal;
• built-in pressure gauge or phonendoscope. This is convenient and reduces measurement time.

Accuracy, budget and durability are the main advantages of mechanical devices for measuring blood pressure. Also, repairs, in the event of a breakdown, will cost quite inexpensively.

Top manufacturers

From the mass of manufacturers of medical equipment, I want to single out the most popular, whose products are in high demand, positive customer reviews, is reliable and quality. The manufacturers listed below provide a long product warranty to their customers and hold back the warranty to the customer.

B.Well

It was founded in 2004 in the UK by a panel of doctors. Rapid development allowed this brand to enter the Russian market in 2007, and already in 2010 to cover other CIS countries, a number of European countries and the UK. In 2011, management decided to move the main office to Switzerland.The goals that the company pursued were: improvement of production, exchange of experience and convenient outcome for deliveries to different parts of the world. The brand “Swiss control” is placed on the company's products, this indicates the best quality, accuracy and reliability. And at the same time, devices remain in an affordable price range.

CS Medica

This group of companies is the official representative of the manufacturer of Japanese medical equipment Omron. It includes 78 branches in Russia. Active development began in 1992, and already in 2001 became the best in its field. In 2013, the corporation was certified according to the international standard. CS Medica products include tonometers, individual parts for them, electronic toothbrushes and much more. It was their apparatus that for several years in a row occupied the leading place in the ranking of the best mechanical blood pressure monitors, and had the highest demand among buyers.

AND

Japanese giant for the production of medical equipment. The company was founded in 1977. Today offices are opened in different countries: America, Germany, Australia, Russia and others. It is this manufacturer who holds patents for the electronic device operating according to the oscillometric method and to the SHS superhybrid sensor operating on the principle of tuning fork vibration. The company's technical center conducts research, design, improvement and development of new technologies. All new items are made in a manufacturing center in Japan.

Microlife

The corporation originates in 1981 in China. Initially, only electronic thermometers were produced under this brand, and only in 1985 began the production of blood pressure monitors. In 1996, an office was opened in Switzerland, then in 1997 in America. From 2002 to 2006, the corporation acquired two major manufacturers of medical equipment in the United States. In 2009, the breakthrough of the company was the release of the device, with the function of determining not only hypertension, but also atrial fibrillation. Thanks to this, it became possible to prevent strokes.

Little doctor

A brand founded in 1986 in Singapore. Today it is one of the largest manufacturers of measuring medical equipment. Their range is widely represented in the countries of Southeast Asia and the CIS countries, due to good transport interchange. Products combine quality, affordable prices and accuracy.

Rating of the best models

The comparative characteristics of several tonometers of the above firms will help to choose the most suitable model.

B.Well WM - 63S

Budget model, but despite the low price, made of quality materials. The cuff is marked and a special ring is built in, allowing it to be correctly applied. The pressure gauge is quite large and legible, which allows the elderly to use the device. Included is a case.

CS Medica CS 107

The price is much higher than the previous model, since a phonendoscope is built in, and the manometer is connected to a pear. But this makes it easier to measure yourself. Pressure gauge in a plastic protective case. The pear has a dust filter.

AND UA - 200

A Japanese device with a standard cuff (not suitable for a full arm), a stethoscope is not built-in, but is included in the kit. There is a cover for storing the device. The warranty on the device is 3 years + 1 year for the cuff.

Microlife BP AG1 - 20

High-quality device, with a standard-sized cuff that holds firmly on the hand, thanks to the sealing insert. There is a bracket for self-fixing.Pear with a special filter so that dust particles do not penetrate inside. Includes a bag for transporting the device. Warranty period 2 years.

Little Doctor LD - 60

The difference of this model is a built-in metal stethoscope. The cuff material is nylon; markings are applied on it for ease of use. There is a metal ring, thanks to which it is easy to apply the cuff to yourself. The manufacturer gives a guarantee for 1 year.

The considered models are of high quality and pricing. If finances allow, for convenience, it is better to purchase a device with a built-in stethoscope and pressure gauge. In the event that you need the most budgetary model, the classic device will not yield in quality. It is necessary to choose a device, taking into account all the subtleties: the characteristics of the body, the presence of concomitant diseases, age and weight.