How to Choose the Right Tensimeter for the Home

Tensimeter, or more precisely called sphygmomanometer, is a device used to measure blood pressure. This tool, which is always in the doctor's office, can be used at home, especially if you need to have a routine blood pressure check. Checking blood pressure regularly is important for patients with certain diseases, such as hypertension and kidney disease. With the presence of a tensimeter at home, patients do not need to go back and forth to queue at the hospital or doctor's office to check their blood pressure. In addition to not having to wait long to be examined, blood pressure testing at home can also be more accurate, especially in patients who feel anxious when consulting a doctor so that their blood pressure rises when examined.

Guide to Choosing a Tensimeter

Before deciding to buy a tensimeter, there are several things to consider in choosing the right tensimeter, namely:

1. Determine the type of tensimeter

Various types and models of tensimeter are sold freely in medical equipment stores, pharmacies, and even online stores. There are tensimeters used manually, there are also digital tensimeters. A manual meter consists of a blood pressure meter, pump balloon, and a hose connected to the cuff. Using a manual tensimeter is quite difficult for ordinary people to do. Therefore, this type of tensimeter should be chosen if at home there are medical personnel or people who can do blood pressure checks. Unlike the manual tensimeter, digital blood pressure gauges are easier and more practical to use. After the cuff is attached to the arm, just by pressing the check button, the cuff will expand automatically, then the sensor on the digital tensimeter will read the blood pressure and the results are displayed on the tensimeter screen.

2. Find the appropriate cuff size

A common mistake in measuring blood pressure is the size of the cuff that does not match the patient's arm circumference. If the cuff size is not right, either too small or too large, the measurement results may be incorrect. Cuffs that are too small or too tight on the arm will make blood pressure measurements higher. If the cuff is too loose, the blood pressure measurement will be lower. In children with smaller arm sizes, or obese people with larger arm sizes, special cuffs are needed that can be ordered at medical supply stores.

3. Choose tools at affordable prices

Tensimeter prices sold in the market vary, depending on the brand and features. Some of the more expensive tensimeters may include additional features that are not needed by the patient. So, choose a blood pressure gauge that suits your budget and features that suit your needs. To determine the type of tensimeter that suits your conditions and needs, consult your doctor further.

Tips for Using Tensimeter at Home

To prevent errors in measuring blood pressure or tensimeter shows inaccurate results, try to follow the following tips:

• Avoid smoking or consuming caffeine for at least 30 minutes before checking blood pressure.
• Avoid exercise or strenuous physical activity for at least 20-30 minutes before checking.
• Perform blood pressure checks in an upright sitting position while leaning in a chair.
• Take off clothes during inspection. Cuffs attached to the arms that are still covered by clothes can show inaccurate results.
• Perform a blood pressure check at the same time every day, then record the results.
• After purchasing a tensimeter, recalibrate every 1 year.

If the results of the blood pressure test differ from the usual results, try to rest and calm down for 20 minutes, then do a re-examination. In general, there are no significant differences in reading results between manual and digital tensimeters. However, most doctors recommend patients to choose digital tensimeter because it is easier and practical to use on their own at home. Choose the type of tensimeter that suits your conditions and needs. If necessary, consult your doctor to find out what type of thermometer is most suitable for you.