With the improvement of people's self-care awareness, electronic sphygmomanometers are increasingly popular due to their simple use, portability, and compliance with environmental protection requirements. However, there are currently many types of electronic blood pressure monitors on the domestic market, and their quality varies greatly, so choosing carefully is very important.
Firstly, you should choose a sphygmomanometer that has been tested and approved by the National Quality Technology Monitoring Bureau and is of reliable quality. Secondly, select an appropriate type of electronic blood pressure monitor based on your physical condition. There are three types of electronic sphygmomanometers available on the market: arm-type, wrist-type, and finger-type. All three are suitable for home blood pressure monitoring for healthy individuals. However, wrist-type and finger-type monitors are not suitable for patients suffering from hypertension, diabetes, hyperlipidemia, arteriosclerosis, or peripheral circulation disorders. This is because there are differences in arterial pulsation and elasticity, which can lead to significant discrepancies between wrist, finger, and upper arm blood pressure measurements. Elderly people and those with the aforementioned conditions should choose an arm-type electronic blood pressure monitor. Thirdly, you should select an appropriate cuff size based on your arm circumference. Generally, a standard cuff measuring 12-13 cm x 35 cm should be used; individuals with thicker arms may opt for a larger cuff, while children should use a smaller cuff. A cuff that is too short will result in lower blood pressure readings, while one that is too long will cause higher readings. Fourthly, before purchasing, you should first measure your blood pressure at a hospital using a mercury column sphygmomanometer. This is because electronic blood pressure monitors have an upper limit for blood pressure measurement, and when systolic blood pressure exceeds 200 mmHg, the electronic monitor becomes ineffective. Therefore, once you have selected an electronic blood pressure monitor, don't forget to regularly calibrate it with a standard sphygmomanometer.