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The term blood pressure devices covers a wide range of medical products for use in measuring and treating the condition known as hypertension or high blood pressure. The most common form of device is the blood pressure monitor, but there are other devices that are used for the treatment of the condition. This article gives a broad overview of the different devices that are available and then lists some specific examples.
High blood pressure is a common condition particularly in the elderly and, since there are few obvious symptoms, it can go undiscovered. It has been described as the silent killer because the condition can lead to a stroke or heart attack in an apparently healthy individual. For this reason doctors recommend that blood pressure should be checked on a regular basis.
If you ask your doctor to check your blood pressure, he or she will use a machine with an upper arm cuff, whereas monitors for home use have a wrist cuff. Sometimes it is necessary for a more detailed measurement to be recorded and an ambulatory monitor will be used. The anaeroid monitor shows the measurement on a dial, but more modern types use a digital screen. Some monitors also have an audio readout.
Your blood pressure varies throughout the day depending on whether you are taking exercise or resting. In addition it is affected by stress and there is a condition known as White Coat Hypertension where apprehension of the visit to the doctor can cause a rise in pressure. On the other hand it has been shown that forms of meditation or biofeedback can reduce your blood pressure without the use of drugs. There are blood pressure lowering devices examples of which are shown below.
There is even a device for individuals with drug resistant hypertension that can be implanted into the patient. Called Rheos it is in advanced stages of testing to ensure that it will be cost effective for the life of the patient.
After this general introduction here are some examples of blood pressure devices that are available:
Microlife AG1-20 Aneroid Blood Pressure Kit. This is is a non-automated, mechanical blood-pressure measuring device for use on the upper arm. No need to worry about batteries with this budget priced kit.
Omron HEM-711AC Automatic Blood Pressure Monitor with IntelliSense. Designed to provide accurate blood pressure readings at home, the IntelliSense monitor inflates cuff to the ideal level with each use to provide accurate readings.
Panasonic EW3109W Upper Arm Blood Pressure Monitor. This machine uses Digital Filter Technology to assure accurate readings by eliminating extraneous noise. Includes a 90 day memory and a flashing warning light to indicate a high reading.
RESPeRATE Blood Pressure Lowering Device. This device analyzes your individual breathing pattern and then creates guiding tones to which you synchronize your breathing. This has been proved to lower blood pressure.
StressEraser Portable Biofeedback Device. This portable biofeedback device that helps you learn to activate your body’s natural relaxation response in minutes. Regular use will help to rduce blood pressure without the use of drugs.
Zona Plus Hypertension Relief Device. This device is different from the previous two in that its effect is to cause the blood vessels to strengthen, dilate, and become more flexible. As a result your blood pressure is lowered over a period of four to seven weeks.
These are just a few of the blood pressure devices that are available to measure and treat hypertension. Many people are not keen on taking medications so it is good to know that there are alternative methods of treating this condition that are approved by doctors and have been proved to be effective.