What Are Best/Recommended Batteries For Blood Pressure Monitor?

[Boris_yo]

I know that lithium ion batteries are strong and can serve for a long time, however they are not cheap so i would like to know of other batteries that are good and recommended for usage with blood pressure monitor as it is logical to assume that it requires a lot of power to tighten one's hand before starting to take readings. It would sure be bummer to be tracking blood pressure for long period only to realize that readings that were taken were not correct because of weak batteries.

I would like to know good and recommended brands and types of batteries for blood pressure monitor.

Thanks.

[G7PSK]

I had to have a kidney removed in 2009, and as this can cause blood pressure to rise over time I purchased a blood pressure monitor as soon as I got out of hospital. It came with a set of four alkaline batteries  and they have lasted until two months ago with daily use. the make of monitor is Omron. I cannot see any reason to use other types of battery with a life span such as this.

[mikeselectricstuff]

There is no reason to think bad batteries would produce bad readings - it should detect if it is unable to achieve the necessary pressure and tell you. For something that's used occasionally like this, alkalines are about the optimum choice. Nicd and Nimh are bad due to self-discharge - the lower voltage may also increasing pump-up time, even with good batteries.
 

[SeanB]

Yes, alkaline batteries, but use reputable brands like Duracell, Energiser. Check the condition of the cells physically at least every 3 months to prevent leakage from a cell that still delivers power but had ruptured a seal.  Take note that there are fake ones of these cells out in the market, only buy from a reputable dealer.

[Boris_yo]

The thing is, my home blood pressure monitor reads lower pressure than one at doctor's. The difference is 20 units though mine does not display any notification that would tell to change battery or something that would state low voltage.

[G7PSK]

That's most unlikely to be the batteries fault the pump inflates until the monitor cannot hear the blood flow or to a preset pressure, if you are getting a wrong reading there is another fault or the unit that the doctor has is wrong if its electronic, they get a battering in use at a surgery. My doctor uses an omron which is why I purchased that make, they also use a pump up mercury filled Sphygmomanometer. But as long as your readings are consistent and you know the readings are off by a certain amount all the time you can make allowance for it. Go to your local pharmacy and get you pressure checked as well if your doctors unit is reading high all the time you need to ask why, doctors are under pressure here in the UK to prescribe blood pressure medication they get a per patient payment for doing so.

[IanB]

You need to use the batteries recommended by the manufacturer. If equipment is designed to use alkaline batteries, put alkaline batteries in it. If you are unsure about the state of the batteries, install fresh batteries.

As to blood pressure readings, it is well known that single readings are of little value. To obtain good results it is necessary to take regular measurements at different times of the day over several days and look at the trend.

There is also a well-known "doctor's office" effect. When you visit the doctor your stress levels tend to go way up and you get higher than normal readings. Blood pressure should be measured in a relaxed home environment.

[Boris_yo]

Go to your local pharmacy and get you pressure checked as well if your doctors unit is reading high all the time you need to ask why, doctors are under pressure here in the UK to prescribe blood pressure medication they get a per patient payment for doing so.

What do you mean by "under pressure"? They have financial incentive for issuing medications to their patients?

As to blood pressure readings, it is well known that single readings are of little value. To obtain good results it is necessary to take regular measurements at different times of the day over several days and look at the trend.

There is also a well-known "doctor's office" effect. When you visit the doctor your stress levels tend to go way up and you get higher than normal readings. Blood pressure should be measured in a relaxed home environment.

I measure 3 times to determine the average as it is the correct way of getting more precise readings.

Oh yeah, i saw authentic Energizer batteries on eBay at bulk sale as well as ones that weren't wrapped with cover of their brand and seller still was claiming they were authentic. I know that Eneloops are good also.

[pickle9000]

I use a manual checker and a stethoscope. It's easy, requires no batteries and in my experience very accurate. They cost about 20-30 bucks, take it with you to the doctors office and they (nurse or doctor) will show you how to use it.

If you want to use a digital one again no problem, but take it with you to the doctors and have them show you how to use it. They will normally compare it to the one they use and make note of in your history.

Compare your meter to a known good one to make sure it is in good working order.

...mike

[IanB]

I measure 3 times to determine the average as it is the correct way of getting more precise readings.

Precise readings of blood pressure are pointless. This is a biological system you are talking about. Measurements are fuzzy, and the causal relationship between any single measurement and positive or negative consequences is vague at best.

What you need to do is to measure your blood pressure at various times morning, afternoon, evening and night over a few days and plot the results on a chart. Look at the trend and draw a line through the middle that represents the typical value. Anything simpler is no more than a rough estimate with little diagnostic value.

[Boris_yo]

@IanB How do you calibrate digital blood pressure monitor?

[IanB]

@IanB How do you calibrate digital blood pressure monitor?

You compare it to a reference instrument of known accuracy. For example you take it along to somewhere/someone with a medical grade instrument and an operator who knows how to use it correctly. You then have that person measure your blood pressure with the good monitor, and with your monitor, a couple of times each back and forth. Then you compare the readings.

[Boris_yo]

@IanB How do you calibrate digital blood pressure monitor?

You compare it to a reference instrument of known accuracy. For example you take it along to somewhere/someone with a medical grade instrument and an operator who knows how to use it correctly. You then have that person measure your blood pressure with the good monitor, and with your monitor, a couple of times each back and forth. Then you compare the readings.

And if there is a difference i can then add/deduct appropriately and check it quarterly for accuracy? I could buy manual reader and i heard that it is more accurate but special training is required to use it and assistance of another person when measuring...

[G7PSK]

Yes Doctors here in the UK get extra payments from the NHS when they prescribe medications for for blood pressure and cholesterol lowering. Its totally mad but it is a political thing that was introduced during the Blair government era, lots of fuss was being made about heart attacks and strokes at the time. 

[Boris_yo]

Yes Doctors here in the UK get extra payments from the NHS when they prescribe medications for for blood pressure and cholesterol lowering. Its totally mad but it is a political thing that was introduced during the Blair government era, lots of fuss was being made about heart attacks and strokes at the time.

Just like psychiatrists here for example.

[bilko]

Yes Doctors here in the UK get extra payments from the NHS when they prescribe medications for for blood pressure and cholesterol lowering. Its totally mad but it is a political thing that was introduced during the Blair government era, lots of fuss was being made about heart attacks and strokes at the time.

Too true, and they get 'commission'  free holidays, property etc from the pharmaceutical companies. The longer you are ill, the better off they are, once you get well and off medication they lose out.

[Boris_yo]

Too true, and they get 'commission'  free holidays, property etc from the pharmaceutical companies.

"Commission free holidays"?  So basically they are excempt from any commissions they may incur during holidays?

The longer you are ill, the better off they are, once you get well and off medication they lose out.

Kind if implicit killing?

[bilko]

Too true, and they get 'commission'  free holidays, property etc from the pharmaceutical companies.

"Commission free holidays"?  So basically they are excempt from any commissions they may incur during holidays?

The longer you are ill, the better off they are, once you get well and off medication they lose out.

That should have been "and they get 'commission',  free holidays, property etc

Anyway, just use your common sense and don't trust everything they tell you. If everybody was well, they would be out of a job.