Generality
The pressure meter is the instrument used - both in the medical field and in the home environment - to determine the arterial pressure of an individual.
The pressure meter allows you to obtain information on both systolic blood pressure (also known as maximum pressure) and diastolic blood pressure (better known as minimum pressure).
The different types of pressure gauges currently available on the market can be divided, depending on their operation, into: manual and analogue meters and electronic and automatic meters. The first group includes all the pressure gauges whose operation is manual and requires a certain number of knowledge on the part of the operator performing the pressure determination; the second group, on the other hand, comprises electronic pressure gauges that measure pressure values in a completely automated manner.
The choice to buy a certain type of meter rather than another depends on numerous factors, such as ease of use, the knowledge of the operator who will perform the measurements and the needs of each individual. Clearly, the cost can also greatly influence the choice of the pressure meter to be purchased.
What is that
What is the Pressure Meter?
The pressure meter is the instrument by which it is possible to determine the arterial blood pressure of an individual . In detail, thanks to the pressure meter it is possible to detect both maximum ( systolic ) and minimum ( diastolic pressure ) blood pressure .
Normally, the pressure meter provides pressure values in millimeters of mercury (mmHg) which, compared with the range of values considered normal, can provide valuable indications about the individual's state of health. Not surprisingly, arterial blood pressure is considered as an extremely important vital parameter .
Short Review: Normal Values for Blood Pressure
The blood pressure values that a healthy individual should have are:
- Systolic (or maximum ) pressure : 115-120 mmHg
- Diastolic (or minimum ) pressure : 75-80 mmHg
In some cases, normal systolic pressure values up to 140 mmHg and diastolic pressure values up to 90 mmHg can be considered, however, if you are in similar conditions you should still inform your doctor promptly.
For more information, read also: Pressor values.
Why use it
Why Use the Pressure Meter?
As mentioned, arterial pressure is an extremely important vital parameter and its measurement proves to be essential above all in people at risk of developing, or having already developed, diseases of different types (cardiovascular but not only).
In fact, alterations in blood pressure - both in excess and in defect - can determine a potential risk for the life of the patient, both because they could indicate the presence of basic pathological conditions not yet diagnosed, and because they could lead to the onset of serious consequences and complications (just think, for example, of the state of hypertension that can lead to the appearance of serious complications, such as heart attack or heart failure).
For this reason, the constant monitoring of arterial pressure - also and above all at home - can be considered as a useful tool to prevent or in any case identify dangerous conditions for the patient.
Types
How many and what types of pressure gauges exist?
On the market it is possible to find different models of pressure gauges whose characteristics may vary according to the manufacturer. In any case, to try to make things clear, it is possible to divide the different instruments according to their mode of operation. In this regard, it is possible to distinguish manual pressure gauges and electronic and automatic pressure gauges . The main features are briefly described below.
Manual Pressure Meter
As you can guess from its name, the pressure gauge in question is characterized by a completely manual operation. More correctly known as manual sphygmomanometers, the instruments of this type still in use today are the mercury sphygmomanometer and the aneroid sphygmomanometer .
Mercury Pressure Meter
The mercury pressure meter (sphygmomanometer) was developed by the Italian doctor Scipione Riva-Rocci and is considered the forefather of manual sphygmomanometers for measuring blood pressure.
Although its use is not recommended due to the toxicity and difficulty in disposing of the heavy metal it contains, the mercury pressure meter is still used today and is considered by many to be the most precise instrument for the non-invasive measurement of blood pressure.
However, the sphygmomanometer in question consists of:
- A cloth sleeve that covers an inner tube ;
- A manual pump - fitted with a valve - connected to the aforementioned sleeve by a rubber tube;
- A mercury column and a graduated scale on which the pressure values expressed in millimeters are reported (to be clear, the graduated scale and the mercury column are very similar to those present in the mercury thermometers used for measuring body temperature) .
Aneroid Pressure Meter
The aneroid sphygmomanometer is a pressure meter in which the mercury column described above is not present. In fact, this tool consists of:
- A sleeve consisting of an air chamber ;
- A manual pump equipped with a valve and connected with a rubber tube to the sleeve;
- A watch gauge with a mobile needle showing a graduated scale in millimeters of mercury (mmHg).
Please note
It is necessary to specify that, for the determination of both maximum and minimum arterial pressure with both types of pressure gauges described above, it is absolutely necessary to perform auscultation of the brachial artery with a stethoscope during the measurement operation. Therefore, the operator performing the operation must necessarily possess the appropriate knowledge in this regard.
Electronic Pressure Meter
The electronic pressure meter is an instrument able to determine the arterial pressure values in a completely automated manner. All who must perform the measurement is to position and connect the sleeve and press the appropriate button that allows the instrument to start.
Normally, electronic pressure gauges consist of:
- A sleeve consisting of an air chamber ;
- An electronic device - connected with a rubber tube to the sleeve - that performs multiple functions, such as:
- Sleeve inflation and deflation;
- Data collection through a specific sensor;
- Data processing;
- Display of pressure values on the digital display it is equipped with.
In addition, virtually all electronic pressure meter models also detect and provide information on an individual's heart rate .
Wrist Pressure Meter
The wrist blood pressure monitor can be considered as a variant of the electronic pressure meter with an even easier to use cuff. The wrist meter, in fact, must be connected directly to the wrist at the level of which the arterial pressure will be determined. However, although more convenient and practical to use, the measurement made with this type of instrument is susceptible to numerous errors mainly related to the movements and position of the wrist during the determination. For this reason, it is generally advisable to prefer pressure gauges from the arm.
For more detailed information on the different types of pressure gauges, on their characteristics, on the way of use and on the advantages and disadvantages possessed, we recommend reading the dedicated article: Sphygmomanometer .
Care and Maintenance
Care and Maintenance of the Pressure Meter
To ensure proper blood pressure detection, the blood pressure monitor needs regular maintenance . Regardless of whether the instrument is manual or electronic, periodic checks must be carried out in order to verify that the measurements made are still accurate. Otherwise, it will be necessary to intervene with a recalibration . This operation must be carried out by specialized personnel, therefore, it is advisable to contact the manufacturer directly or the retailer where the pressure meter was purchased.
As far as cleaning is concerned, on some models it is possible to wash the sleeve with water and delicate detergents; while the other parts of the instrument should be cleaned with a dry cloth. However, it is always good to follow the instructions on the packaging or on the user manual of the product purchased.
In any case, remember that the pressure gauge should be kept in its case, in a safe place where there is no risk of bumps or falls.
costs
How much does a blood pressure monitor cost?
Among the main factors that affect the final price of a pressure meter we find the type of instrument you want to buy (manual or electronic), the brand and the manufacturer . Furthermore, in the case of electronic pressure gauges, the price may also vary depending on the additional functions the instrument can be equipped with (for example, clock, calendar, memory function, alarm function, possibility to interface with applications and smartphones, etc.).
However, for a manual pressure meter the cost can vary, approximately, from about 20 to 80 euros; while for an electronic pressure meter the price can range from 20 euros for the simplest models, to over 100 euros for more complex models with multiple functions.
Which one to choose
How to choose the right pressure gauge for your needs?
The pressure gauge is a device that can be purchased anywhere, from specialty stores selling sanitary items, to pharmacies up to numerous online stores. The models available are multiple, more or less simple to use and more or less rich in additional functions. The identification of the most suitable pressure gauge for your needs could therefore prove to be quite difficult.
However, in choosing the pressure meter that best suits your needs, you must take into account:
- Simplicity and practicality of use ;
- Precision and reliability in the execution of the measurement (better to rely on products of specialized companies);
- Knowledge required for the use of the instrument (a mercury or aneroid pressure meter requires knowledge of the manual measurement technique, as it requires a certain degree of practice);
- Price (generally, it is advisable to be wary of pressure meters that have lower than average prices).
In the presence of strong indecision, it may be useful to ask for advice from your doctor or retailer, specifying your needs and possibly the reason why it is necessary to carry out a constant and regular check of your blood pressure (presence of particular pathologies; need to keep a track of their own blood pressure values, as can happen, for example, if it is necessary to evaluate the effectiveness of any pharmacological therapies, etc.).
Manual or Electronic Pressure Meter?
The choice to purchase a manual pressure meter rather than an electronic meter depends substantially on the knowledge and skills of the person making the measurements. The use of a manual pressure gauge, in fact, is not immediate and requires - in order to avoid errors and guarantee reliable blood pressure determination - a certain degree of manual skill, knowledge of the instrument and the ability to perform auscultation of the brachial artery . For this reason - despite the high precision of hand-held meters - for the in-house measurement of pressure by inexperienced individuals, it is customary to recommend the purchase of automatic electronic meters . In fact, they are extremely simple and intuitive to use and do not require special knowledge, other than the correct positioning of the sleeve and the adoption of some simple precautions in order to avoid incorrect or inaccurate measurements.
Useful Tips
Useful Tips to Measure Pressure at Home Level
We end by reporting some tips that can be useful for those who use a household blood pressure monitor. In fact, when the arterial pressure is detected by the doctor or in any case in a clinical or hospital setting, the health staff knows exactly how and when to take the measurement without making mistakes of any kind. When blood pressure is measured at the domestic level, however, it is not certain that the person has the necessary knowledge to make a correct determination.
It is true that the use of an electronic meter allows to avoid different errors of the operator, however, it is however necessary to follow some small tricks. In detail, it is very important:
- Measure the pressure in a sitting position, resting the forearm on a flat surface (such as a table), so as to have the arm positioned at the same height as the heart . A similar discussion regarding the use of the wrist blood pressure monitor: the wrist must be at the same height as the heart to avoid errors due to the hydrostatic differential pressure between the arm and the heart.
- Measure the pressure preferably at the same time every day.
- Do not measure the pressure after running, walking, doing sporting activities or particularly strenuous activities (unless it is expressly indicated by the doctor), but wait for some time to allow the body to return to normal conditions.
- Perform more than one measurement and, if the values deviate from one another, perform a mathematical average.
- If the meter is from the arm, use a sleeve of the size suitable for the circumference of your arm (there are different sleeves on the market that cover different ranges of circumference).
However, regardless of the type of pressure meter used, for more detailed information on the measures to be followed to determine your blood pressure, we recommend reading the dedicated article: How is Pressure Measured?
