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Activity trackers, with their ability to measure different aspects of your everyday life, are currently all the rage.  Several of these devices, as part of their functionality, offer to provide a blood pressure measurement.  However the data that is produced by these devices is based on a single reading rather than the Systolic and Diastolic measurements that are required to give a blood pressure reading.  If keeping a regular check on your blood pressure is important to you then you really need a dedicated device to perform this task.  One such product is the Deluxe Automatic Arm Blood Pressure Monitor from HoMedics.

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The Deluxe Automatic Arm Blood Pressure Monitor consists of the main display unit and a material cuff which wraps around the upper part of the arm.  The display unit can be powered by four AAA batteries which are supplied or an optional AC power adapter lead that can be purchased from the HoMedics website.  The cuff connects to the display unit via an air hose.

With dimensions of 180 x 100 x 39mm (W x D x H), the white display unit features a 128 x 50mm screen that delivers its content using black, blocky graphics.  To the right of this screen are the various control features.  Heading this arrangement is a green slider switch allowing you to choose between two different users.  Touch sensitive buttons for MEM/UP and SET/DOWN are separated by the unit’s green power button.  On the left side of this unit is the connection point for attaching the air hose from the cuff.

Prior to using this product for the first time, you need to set the date, time and measurement unit information that is recorded as part of the blood pressure readings.  While this process is straightforward, it should and could have been made easier.  Due to the settings applied to the controls, you are only allowed to make adjustments by increasing the current figure rather than increasing and decreasing the figure.  This is because the priority assigned to what would normally be the DOWN button is given to its SET option.  When selecting the measurement unit you have a choice of mmHg or kPa where 1 mmAh = 0.133 kPa and I kPa = 7.5 mmHg.

Like many tasks, positioning the cuff on the upper arm is more convenient when two hands are available to carry out the ob.  But that is not to say it can not be carried out one-handed as I managed on several occasions.  It is recommended that any tight-fitting clothing is removed from around the area of the upper arm to be used before positioning the cuff about 2 – 3cm above the elbow with the linked air tube centrally positioned facing downwards towards the hand. 

Pressing the green power button sets the blood pressure measuring process in action.  The cuff will tighten around the arm and then deflate itself while the display shows the Systolic (the rate at which blood discharging from the heart) pressure, Diastolic (the rate at which blood enters the heart) pressure plus the pulse rate.  Running across the bottom of the screen is a bar giving an indication as to whether the current measurement falls into the categories designated as normal, optimal, high-normal, mild, moderate or severe.

These measurements are automatically recorded in the unit’s memory, which can store up to 160 entries, from where they can be recalled individually or as an average spread over a period of time.  With an individually record, you can also view the date and time as to when that particular reading was made.  If necessary, records can be deleted.

 One feature that is lacking with this product is a method of transferring its data either to another device such as a smartphone or tablet or to a printer in order to produce hard copy.  Perhaps this feature could be considered for adding to a later version of the product.

It should be pointed out that this Blood Pressure Monitor is intended solely for home use.  It is not meant to be a replacement for a visit to a doctor who should always be your first point of contact with any health issues.  However used sensible, this Deluxe Automatic Arm Blood Pressure Monitor could provide some guidance with regards to your health.  This product is priced at £49.95.

http://www.homedics.co.uk/health/misuratore-di-pressione-automatico-premium-da-braccio.html