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The complete device fits on your wrist rather like a very oversized watch. The cuff size is 13.5 to 21.5cm and is tightened by Velcro with the display part being visible rather than a separate unit sitting on a table.
Even at a doctor’s surgery very few are hand inflated, here it is battery controlled via a supplied integral charge unit.
The display part is 8.5x6.5x1.5cm with the all-important sensors on the underside. Like its bigger sibling there are just two buttons, the first to select the user (it caters for two) and the second on/start/off both these are below the 4.5x3cm display that has a white backlight when on.
The band starts to inflate once the ‘on/start/off’ button is pressed for the second time and it will squeeze the wrist firmly while getting the readings.
Once the reading is achieved the display shows three figures, the Systolic – bigger figure -, the Diastolic – lower figure – and below that you’re Pulse.
While the normal sort of figure for a fit/healthy person might be 120 over 80 yours will probably be rather different as if you are taking your own blood pressure you probably have problems. A lot of people today especially those of us who are oversize is with high blood pressure but almost as dangerous is low blood pressure and both need checking regularly.
Just as with its sibling an illustration on the inside of the cuff material shows how to position your wrist and the cuff with your arm outstretched to rest on something like a table while the reading is being taken.
Those of us who have their pressure taken regularly by a doctor or nurse know not to talk while it is being done and I have been told the worst thing to do is to laugh. Actions of the sort mentioned will cause a wait required before the action can be repeated – I think three minutes is mentioned – so keep it sombre.
I mention that the cuff size for the upper arm unit might be unsuitable for a child as the minimum size for that was 22cm this smaller size might suit a child even if used further up the arm.
There is a large instruction sheet that also explains any error messages that you might get ‘E 3’ would be the most common if you do not secure the fastening so that the band cannot expand over the wrist.
While both this and the sibling unit can be operated on one self the wrist one is easiest to read in situ, but providing you do not touch the buttons while removing it the reading will still be visible once removed.
You can note the readings manually or transfer them via Bluetooth to the freely available Philips Health App which can be downloaded from the iOS or Android stores. It is also an idea to note any reason why a particular reading may be higher or lower than normal.
The Philips Wrist Blood Pressure Monitor is available from Amazon for £54.99 and comes with free delivery.
http://www.philips.co.uk/c-m-hs/health-programs/wrist-blood-pressure-monitor
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