You must know some things before using or purchasing a blood pressure monitor. Today, let us explain the development, types, functions, usage guidelines, and applicable population of blood pressure monitors at one time.
What is The Blood Pressure Monitor
This should be the question of every person who comes into contact with a blood pressure monitor for the first time. The simple answer is: in some way, to detect arterial pressure.
Principle and Function of The Blood Pressure Monitor
The principles of traditional mercury sphygmomanometers and modern electronic blood pressure monitors are different. Today, we mainly talk about electronic blood pressure monitors.
Electronic blood pressure monitors mainly use the oscillometric method, which detects the vibration waves of arterial blood flow through the sensor in the cuff and then calculates the systolic and diastolic blood pressures through algorithms. Of course, some good devices will choose to use the oscillometric method + Korotkoff sound method, and the data obtained by both methods are more accurate and reliable.
With the continuous updating of technology, modern electronic blood pressure monitors, in addition to basic blood pressure and heart rate detection, automatic inflation and deflation, voice broadcast, data storage and wireless transmission, some new devices also have the functions of intelligent analysis and access to medical systems, which fully meet the needs of home use.
The History of The Blood Pressure Monitor
The blood pressure monitor was invented less than 200 years ago. In 1881, Austrian doctor Samuel Siegfried von Basch invented the first blood pressure monitor that could be used on humans. In the 1960s, electronic blood pressure monitors appeared, but due to the immature algorithms at the time, their accuracy was often controversial. Today, in the 21st century, while algorithm technology is mature, we have also made many attempts in intelligence and environmental protection. I believe that with technological innovation in the future, blood pressure monitors may be further integrated into daily life and become one of the core tools of preventive medicine.
Why You Need The Blood Pressure Monitor
As the main cause of diseases with extremely high mortality rates, the importance of hypertension cannot be ignored. According to the data of the World Health Organization (WHO), 1 in 4 adults in the world suffers from hypertension. This shows that daily monitoring is urgent, and the market demand for home blood pressure monitors continues to rise.
Blood pressure monitors are a necessity for families with elderly people, pregnant women, or patients with chronic diseases. The existence of blood pressure monitors can help you monitor your physical condition at all times, adjust your life and diet appropriately, and reduce the time and transportation costs of going to the hospital.
For young people, as the concept of healthy living continues to deepen, daily physical monitoring has become a trend, and smart blood pressure monitors have become standard for health management and fitness tracking.
How to Use The Blood Pressure Monitor
The blood pressure monitor is easy to use, and the instructions are very clear. The most important thing is to fully understand when, where, and who should use it to monitor blood pressure.
When to use a blood pressure monitor?
Most people may think that they only need to measure their blood pressure when they feel uncomfortable, but this is not accurate. Because high blood pressure sometimes has no symptoms, the correct time to measure it should be in daily life: within 1 hour after getting up in the morning and after sitting quietly for 5 minutes before going to bed at night (do not smoke, drink coffee, or exercise 30 minutes before measurement)
Where to use blood pressure monitors?
Medical institutions, pharmacies, and homes (if a blood pressure monitor is available)
Who should use blood pressure monitors?
The elderly, pregnant women, patients with chronic diseases, and people with sub-health are groups who need to focus on monitoring blood pressure changes.
Blood Pressure Monitor Maintenance and Calibration
To ensure that the blood pressure data is accurate and reliable and to extend the service life of the blood pressure monitor, we need to calibrate and maintain it regularly.
Daily maintenance:
Clean and disinfect the surface of the machine and the cuff (disassembled part) while avoiding liquid or impurities from entering the machine.
Store the machine in a cool and dry place, and avoid high temperature, humidity, or direct sunlight (such as bathroom, balcony)
If it is not used for a long time, remove the battery to prevent leakage from corroding the circuit
Routine calibration:
Electronic blood pressure monitors are generally calibrated at least once a year. If they are used frequently or abnormalities occur, the calibration can be shortened to half a year.
Seek professional calibration services from manufacturers or dealers, or conduct comparative calibration at nearby medical institutions.
Self-test method (auxiliary judgment):
Perform it simultaneously with the blood pressure monitor in the hospital or pharmacy (same arm, 1~2 minutes interval). If the difference is >10mmHg, calibration is required.
Measure 3 times in a row. If the result fluctuates too much (such as >15mmHg), there may be an abnormality in the device.
Considerations for Special Populations
For special groups of people, the measured blood pressure values may be different from the normal range due to their own body conditions. There is no need to panic. Record the data and consult a doctor for advice based on your own symptoms.
1. Pregnant Women
It is well known that pregnant women have fluctuating blood pressure during pregnancy and are particularly prone to gestational hypertension syndrome. Therefore, it is recommended to measure in the left lateral decubitus position to avoid low blood pressure caused by the uterus compressing the inferior vena cava when lying on the back.
2. Elderly Individuals
Common problems for the elderly are postural hypotension and arteriosclerosis. It is recommended to measure blood pressure in different positions and repeat the measurement multiple times to take the average value.
3. Children
Children have thinner arms, so they need to use a cuff specifically for children. Children are prone to nervousness or hyperactivity during measurement. It is recommended to repeat the measurement and take the average value. The normal blood pressure value for children is different from that for adults, and it is necessary to refer to the corresponding table for judgment.
4. People with Obesity
Upper arm circumference>32cm requires a large cuff, otherwise, it will lead to a high reading. At the same time, obese people are prone to sleep apnea symptoms, and it is recommended to use a 24-hour dynamic blood pressure monitor to monitor nighttime blood pressure changes.
5. Individuals with Diabetes
Diabetic patients need to monitor blood pressure in combination with blood sugar management regulations, focus on the effects of postural hypotension and vascular complications, and follow the treatment plan given by the doctor to avoid blood pressure fluctuations caused by frequent measurements.
6. People with Stroke or Heart Disease
Smoking will increase blood pressure in a short period of time, and long-term smoking will increase the risk of arteriosclerosis, leading to “false hypertension”, so it is recommended to use a manual sphygmomanometer. The same is true for people with heart disease. Because there are differences in the types of diseases, when measuring, attention should be paid to the effects of drugs, body position, and disease status, and individualized monitoring should be performed.
Blood Pressure Monitor Buying Guide
With the development of blood pressure monitors, there are many types and prices of blood pressure monitors according to people’s needs. Perhaps you will need this guide.
Type of Blood Pressure Monitor
Sphygmomanometers can be divided into traditional mercury sphygmomanometers (Korotkoff sound method) and electronic sphygmomanometers (oscillometric method) according to their principles.
Traditional mercury sphygmomanometers
It is highly accurate but requires professional operation. At the same time, due to safety and environmental protection issues, the World Health Organization (WHO) issued the Minamata Convention a few years ago, requiring the gradual elimination of mercury medical equipment. China will completely ban the production of mercury-containing sphygmomanometers starting in 2026.
Electronic sphygmomanometers
Currently, the World Health Organization (WHO) and the international community recommend electronic sphygmomanometers the most. With the continuous changes in people’s needs, there are currently three types of electronic sphygmomanometers: arm sphygmomanometers, wrist sphygmomanometers, and finger sphygmomanometers.
Arm sphygmomanometers
As the first choice for clinical use, the most widely used sphygmomanometer is also the most accurate among electronic sphygmomanometers.
Wrist sphygmomanometers
It is far away from the heart, and the posture requirements are strict during measurement. People with arteriosclerosis or blood circulation disorders have poor accuracy during measurement, and errors are prone to occur.
Finger blood pressure monitor
It is the least used among the three types of blood pressure monitors. It has more requirements for users when measuring and has a larger error. It is generally not recommended for people with illnesses (who need to strictly monitor blood pressure changes).
Top 10 Blood Pressure Monitor Brands (data from March 2025)
- OMRON (Japan)
With a global market share of 30%, it has been ranked first for many years and is a global leader in home health monitoring. It features intelligent pressurization, atrial fibrillation detection, and cloud management functions, suitable for patients who need long-term monitoring of hypertension and cardiovascular diseases. (Accuracy)
- Microlife (Switzerland)
A global leader in medical-grade blood pressure monitoring equipment and a WHO partner. AFIB atrial fibrillation detection technology meets clinical standards and is suitable for scenarios that require high-compliance testing. (Compliance certification)
- A&D Medical (Japan)
It is far ahead in the field of dynamic blood pressure monitoring, supports docking with hospital systems, and is suitable for chronic disease management centers and medical institutions that require remote data (dynamic blood pressure monitors)
- Braun (Germany)
High-end home health equipment, Exact Fit cuff self-test technology, error rate <3%, a home blood pressure monitor that combines accuracy and design. (User experience)
- Beurer (Germany)
It is a leader in the field of detecting blood pressure in pregnant women, has passed ESH certification, and has outstanding pregnancy hypertension risk assessment functions. (Accuracy)
- Withings(France)
Blood pressure + ECG + auscultation three-in-one, supports remote medical data sharing (intelligent interconnection)
- Welch Allyn(US)
American medical equipment giant Sure BP technology achieves 25 seconds of rapid measurement, suitable for high-frequency, high-load clinical environments. (Accuracy)
- Rossmax(Switzerland/Taiwan)
Leading in the Southeast Asian market, with an integrated body temperature monitoring function, the price is lower than similar medical devices, suitable for community medical institutions and home use. (Cost-effectiveness)
- Yuwell(China)
China’s blood pressure monitor exports the largest, low-energy Bluetooth and AI analysis functions, suitable for bulk purchases and small and medium-sized hospitals with limited budgets, taking into account the needs of cost and basic functions. (Cost-effectiveness)
- iHealth(US/China)
Apple ecological chain enterprise, focusing on intelligent interconnection, experimental cuffless optical blood pressure monitor is at the forefront of technology. (Intelligent interconnection)
FAQs
- Are you a factory? Can I visit?
Yes, we have our own factory, and you are always welcome to visit.
- Can you provide the certificate of the blood pressure monitor?
Yes, we have CE、FDA、ISO13485（company） certifications.
- Can you provide the authorization letter for the blood pressure monitor?
Of course, we can provide product distribution rights and support you in registering locally.
- Can you provide after-sales service for the blood pressure monitor?
Of course, as long as you buy our blood pressure monitor, you can always give us feedback if you have any questions after receiving the goods, and we will handle it for you as soon as possible.
- How long is the delivery time after placing an order?
Usually 7–14 days.
- How do you deal with problems with the blood pressure monitor during the warranty period?
We will provide repair parts and send special personnel to guide repairs and replacements online, and some areas have after-sales center personnel for follow-up.
For more information, please contact us info@llkmedical.com and we will reply you as soon as possible.