| Product: |
Hartmann Tensoval Mobil |
| Date: |
22/07/06 (543 review reads) |
| Rating: |
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Advantages: Consistantly accurate results.
Disadvantages: No protective case.
I was concerned about the fluctuations in my blood pressure. It goes up and down like a yo-yo, and having already suffered a minor stroke, am aware that my body needs looking after and regular checks. I also take blood thinning tablets, and medication to make the blood less sticky, and like to know that the medicines are doing their job.
When I bought the Hartmann Tensoval Mobile, I had never used one at home before, and wondered if it would end up stored in the back of a cupboard unused like so many gadgets, though at 55 Euros, it wasn't too much of a gamble, and I decided that both my husbands' health and my own were sufficiently important to keep an eye on. We are not spring chickens. We are nearing retirement age, and are getting accustomed to the fact that as the body gets older, it gets less efficient.
The machine comes without the batteries needed, which are two ultra M3 batteries (the next size down to the AA ones), and setting the machine up was well explained in the leaflet that comes with the machine, having a time and date which was exceedingly useful for us. Upon changing batteries, the date and time need to be re-set although this procedure is clearly explained in the brochure and is simple. Batteries last more than a month regularly using the machine which is not excessive, nor that expensive.
This is a bracelet type of measurer of blood pressure, and the material that makes the bracelet is strong and reinforced, easily slips around the wrist and has a start/stop button to get it into action. It pumps up, and then it takes your blood pressure, and the booklet tells you not to move during the reading, and to hold your arm across your chest.
What was interesting on first use was that we had not realised that it also measures your pulse, or how many beats your heart does per minute, and believe it or not, this was one of the most useful areas of the gadget because it actually told us which things were stressing the heart. Thinking that someone in an athletes state of health measures around the 40-50 mark, people of our age can have anything up to 110 beat per minute, though this can be controlled to a certain extent by regular exercising, and by breathing correctly. I was astounded at the difference that I have made myself in the last month, bringing that heartbeat down to 65 from a staggering 80, just by being sensible and walking regularly.
The actual measurement of blood pressure is very clear on the machine showing on a little screen the systolic pressure (which is the pressure in the arteries as the heart pumps blood through the body) and the diastolic pressure (when the heart relaxes in between pumping). These readings are a good evaluation of blood pressure, although care should be taken to take the blood pressure always at the same times of day, and preferably under the same circumstances, since if taken at different times, and after different activities, then blood pressure is for ever changing.
One of the nicest things I found with this machine was that it tested well against my doctor's traditional machine and she insisted that before we started to monitor our own blood pressure, she was given the chance to test the machine for accuracy. It was spot on ! Now, with the machine at home, both my husband and I measure our blood pressure once a day, and the gadget's efficiency doesn't stop there. It has two memory functions, and these can either be used to keep a record of 30 days measurements morning and evening of one patient, or like us, measurement once a day at the same time of two people. Upon visits to the doctor, she is able to determine whether medication needs to be upped, or kept the same, and the reassurance that the gadget gives us is very good, and actually saves us journeys to the doctor on the premise that we think something is wrong, when in fact nothing is.
The only downside to this machine as opposed to others I saw was that the others come in a small plastic container, although when you look at the flimsy plastic that they are made of compared to this one, it was probably a wise move on the part of the makers. This one doesn't need one, but being a neat person, I would have liked one.
The machine is pretty solid compared with others available, and certainly looked more professional and less flimsy than others, and for us has been a “must”, which is used every single day, keeping a thirty day memory to coincide with visits to the doctor. I think its' importance outweighs the doubts that went through my mind before I purchased, because at the end of the day you only have one body, and looking after it is essential.
Coming with a Two year guarantee, and an instruction leaflet that is clear and easy to follow, no household should be without one, as I believe it to be as essential as having a thermometer in the house.
For list of stockists or availability online, contact the makers direct or Google search.
PAUL HARTMANN AG
Postfach 14 20
89504 Heidenheim
Deutschland
Telefon 07321/36-0
Telefax 07321/36-3636
Summary: A good solid machine.
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