Finally – a wrist blood pressure monitor that offers good enough accuracy
For a long time, anyone who regularly checked their blood pressure had to expose their upper arm. Now, good devices for the wrist are finally available.
It’s one thing for the doctor to say, «Take your blood pressure regularly!» But how are you supposed to manage that if you’re on the road a lot or stuck in an office all day? Are you doomed to forever carry around a bulky measuring device?
In fact, most commonplace models weigh 400 to 500 grammes and consist of a base and cuff – all of which you then have to schlep around. Like the test winners from German consumer magazine Stiftung Warentest (linked article in German) that you’ll find in our range.
Especially if you’ve got heavy-set upper arms, there’s the additional complication that the not quite perfectly placed cuff may contract during inflation, rendering the measurement invalid. In addition, many devices are quite noisy when they build up pressure. To measure your blood pressure quickly, discreetly and easily is, in fact, no easy feat.
The alternative is to take the measurement at the wrist, but this method is considered less accurate. Some doctors even advise against it. In fact, in the test by Stiftung Warentest, only one wrist blood pressure monitor achieved an overall rating of «good»; all the others received only «satisfactory» and «sufficient» ratings. The «good» Omron RS7 Intelli IT achieved a score of 2.4, putting it within the range of the three recommended upper arm devices, which scored between 2.3 and 2.5.
The Omron RS7 Intelli IT’s big advantage is apparent right upon unboxing. It weighs just over 100 grammes, and the meter is mounted directly on the cuff. This combo fits into a small transport box that I can easily take with me on the road. Another plus: the wrist models pass Stiftung Warentest’s drop test with flying colours, while many of the upper arm devices don’t.
Source: Lorenz Keller
Step by step towards wrist measurement
So, how do you use the Omron? Strap it on like a watch – just above your wrist bone. Make sure the display and controls go over your inner wrist, and tighten the cuff a bit. All that’s left to do now is press Start.
There’s one potential source of error. Namely, you have to take the measurement at the level of your heart. With upper arm devices, this is more or less a given because of the cuff’s position. With wrist devices, you have to keep this in mind yourself. However, the RS7 Intelli IT does also help you get it right. Here’s how I go about measuring my blood pressure: I prop up my elbow, ideally on a table, which allows me to move my arm down and up. As soon as I press Start, the scale on the right shows me if my wrist is too high or too low. The blue heart lights up to let me know my wrist position is just right.
Source: Lorenz Keller
The measurement then starts automatically. The air cushions fill, causing the cuff to contract. Blood flow is briefly stopped, the device takes its measurement, and then it loosens again. After about 35 seconds, the result is displayed on the screen.
No stress allowed during measurement
The first, higher value is the systolic (upper) blood pressure value that prevails in the arteries as the heart contracts and pumps blood. The diastolic (lower) blood pressure value measures the same thing with the heart muscle relaxed. Values between 100/60 and 140/90 mmHg are considered normal. Optimal values are below 120/80.
No matter how you measure your blood pressure, it’s important that you sit still and stay relaxed while doing so. It’s best to place both feet flat on the floor. And feel free to breathe in and out for five minutes before putting on the cuff.
Source: Lorenz Keller
A quick comparison with a conventional measuring device showed very similar values. The models show 128/74 and 124/80 as well as a pulse of 65 and 63, respectively. There is no such thing as absolute precision anyway – even if you use the same device several times in a row, you’ll get slightly different values each time.
All this to say, the Omron RS7 Intelli IT can easily keep up with good upper arm monitors. Mind you, it’ll cost you double. What do you gain for it? I’ve already mentioned the compact design. In addition, the air pump is barely audible and you can fit the cuff more quickly onto your wrist than upper arm.
Side note: there’s a debate about whether or not it’s okay to measure your blood pressure over clothing on the upper arm. If the fabric is thin, it shouldn’t be a problem. In general, however, you certainly get higher precision when measuring directly on your skin. The point is that it’s easier to free up your wrist than upper arm for measurement – also without accidentally cutting off your circulation with your pulled back sleeves.
Data in the cloud only if you want
One reason for the high price of the Omron RS7 Intelli IT is certainly that it comes with an app for iPhone and Android. Your smartphone connects via Bluetooth and downloads your data each time.
The monitor itself has an internal memory for two times one hundred measurements; that is, two people can monitor their blood pressure, switching between profiles with the flick of a switch. Other models only back up 30 data points for a single person. If you have to measure your blood pressure several times a day, that just about forces you to manually curate a list of the results.
Source: Lorenz Keller
With the Omron, on the other hand, your data is saved. You decide yourself whether to store it only locally in the password-protected app or back it up to the manufacturer’s cloud. You can call up any desired trajectories and average values. And in one click, I can e-mail the data right to my doctor.
Anyone needing to keep an eye on their blood pressure over a long period of time, or perhaps even for the rest of their life, will likely be happy to pay the premium. Wrist measurements are faster and easier. And the app integration allows you to keep an eye on long-term development. Ideally, there would be an alternative wrist blood pressure monitor offering the same measurement quality at a slightly lower price.
Header image: Lorenz Keller64 people like this article
Lorenz Keller
Senior Editor
Lorenz.Keller@digitecgalaxus.chGadgets are my passion - whether you need them for the home office, for the household, for sport and pleasure or for the smart home. Or, of course, for the big hobby next to the family, namely fishing.
