How accurate are the blood pressure testing machines at the pharmacies?

Question

My last testing I did twice.. first was 134/80 and the second was 103/77.... There seems to be a wide descrepancy.

Answer 1

First, your personal blood pressure can vary widely. For instance, mine can change 20 points in as many minutes.

Second, I doubt those machines are calibrated on a regular basis. If you used the same machine regularly, you would get a rough idea if you're generally going up or down, but from machine to machine - I'd doubt there'd be consistency.

If you can use a variety of equipment and average out (when taken under the same conditions) you'll get the best info, but of course, no one wants to take their pressure 20 times a day.

Try to have the same conditions and test on the same equipment, so you can compare day to day. Every once in a while get it properly done so you know how far off (if at all) your machine is.

Answer 2

In the hospitals we call those machines number grabbers because that's about how accurate they are. Now we can all agree that a stethoscope and cuff are the most accurate way to get a blood pressure reading, but how to take one on your own. I've worked in home respiratory care for 10 years and recommend OMRON monitors for both accuracy and ease of operation. I can listen to someones lungs or brachial artery and hear thing that someone else doesn't hear I trust my hearing as I trust Omron. Forget the pharmacy or supermarket, if you have to take it at home buy the best, take it from a professional

Answer 3

Blood pressure (BP) varies considerably during the day and differences of 30 points or more are not unusual. That having been said I do not trust pharmacy BP readings although I not only trust but treat BP based upon 1st thing in the AM home BP readings with the goal being about 110/060. Although BP readings vary by quite a bit during the day they should not vary by much taken 1st thing in the morning at home. Consumer Reports rated the Rely-On BP unit a 'Best Buy' and it sells for around $50 at WalMart. Your BP readings by the way are OK.

Answer 4

i dont personally like any type of electronic bp cuff,measurments can have a large range..the ones in drug stores etc are one size a cuff and if you have fat arms,like me they don't get an accurate or false high reading...old fashioned way with a cuff and stethoscope works best

Answer 5

no they're battery operated or electrical, the best are the stethoscopes