Using a Home Blood Pressure Monitor

If you've been told by your doctor that your blood pressure is not in the normal range, then he or she has probably also told you about the importance of monitoring your blood pressure daily. The question is, where can you get a blood pressure reading without going to the doctor's office every day, or traveling to places like certain supermarkets and drug stores where they offer free blood pressure monitoring equipment. 

The answer may be a home blood pressure monitor. 

Your doctor will probably tell you if you need such a device or not. Some people with abnormal blood pressure readings don't. But typically, a home blood pressure monitor is a good idea if: 

• your blood pressure is very elevated.
• you have tumors that produce certain hormones (your doctor will inform you of this).
• you have "white coat hypertension." White coat hypertension means you only seem to get a high blood pressure reading when you visit a doctor's office, but not in other places.

It's important to remember that results you get with a home blood pressure monitor tend to be less than 100% accurate. You should take multiple readings and also stop by the doctor's office often to verify that your readings are similar to those done by a medical professional.

Your home blood pressure monitor should be approved by the FDA. It should also work automatically, should be researched and subjected to clinical trials. It's also important to make sure it's correctly calibrated. You should also seek training, or follow the instruction manual carefully to get the most accurate results.

The expense of home blood pressure monitors is often covered by insurance.