Easy to use and the same model that my Doctor uses ! (Boots Blood Pressure Monitor)

Member Name: bluenosesquonk

Product:	Boots Blood Pressure Monitor
Date:	21/05/07 (329 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Stable readings, easy to use & understand

Disadvantages: Price

BOOTS INTELLISENSE BLOOD PRESSURE ARM MONITOR
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BLOOD PRESSURE MEASUREMENTS
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I’ve included this bit as I hope it may be of interest to those of us (and I include myself in this category) who have had their blood pressure measured by their GP, but at really taken much notice of what the measurements meant – after all, I sure that for many of us, our feelings would be – ‘the Doctor is there to tell you if there is a problem, isn’t he ?’

The simplest explanation that I can find of what Blood Pressure actually is states that it is the force required for your heart to push blood through your arteries.

This explanation could be compared to a situation like a central heating system pumping hot water through radiators. However, in general these kinds of mechanical systems (i.e. the central heating system) produce a stable, constant pressure, unlike the heart which beats producing two pressure levels, these are referred to as:

Systolic Blood Pressure – The pressure created when the heart contracts and produces the highest pressure level, this is the first figure given by your GP or indicated by the Blood Pressure Monitor.

Diastolic Blood Pressure – The pressure created when the heart relaxes between contractions. This is the lowest pressure level, and is the second figure given by your GP or indicated on the Blood Pressure Monitor.

So, when you are given or take a Blood Pressure reading, it consists of two numbers, Systolic Blood Pressure – over – Diastolic Blood Pressure level. Most Blood Pressure Monitors are designed to actually display the readings so that the Systolic reading is actually displayed above the Diastolic reading for convenience.

Note that Blood Pressure readings are usually expressed in terms of millimetres of Mercury (mmHg), this is a convenient unit as actual levels are relatively low. As an example, the Blood Pressure reading 140/90 (mmHg) would be expressed as 2.7/1.7 PSI (Pounds Per Square Inch) which is an inconveniently set of small numbers.

It has to be noted that Blood Pressure levels will change for each individual due to many circumstances, for example taking stimulants such as coffee, or physical activity can increase readings. Illness can also affect readings.

According to the literature that I have read, ‘normal’ Blood Pressure Levels should be no higher than 140/90, but of course this will vary between individuals.

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THE BLOOD PRESSURE MONITOR
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CHOICE OF DEVICE
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~ Why did I choose this Manufacturer and Model ? ~

After being informed by my GP that my blood pressure was on the high side and needed more frequent monitoring, I decided to purchase a device of my own to avoid the need to make repeated trips to the surgery.

I wanted a simple to use electronic, battery powered, arm Blood Pressure Monitor that cost less than £100.

The one name that I know of in this particular field of measurement is Omron which is often the manufacturer of choice in Doctors surgeries (in my experience). Therefore, initially, I looked for an Omron Blood Pressure Monitor (BPM) in the Health and electrical stores in my local town.

I found that my local Boots store was the only place where I could find a reasonable range of devices, predominantly products badged with the Omron and Boots names.

On further inspection I discovered that the chosen BPM appeared to be almost identical to an Omron device that I had seen elsewhere. In addition, looking in the product manual it actually referred the user to Omron if a mains adapter was required. I concluded that this model was probably a re-badged Omron device.


PACKAGING AND CONTENTS
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The unit is packaged in a fairly rigid cardboard box measuring 20cm (long) by 10cm wide and 12.5cm high. The box is predominantly mid-blue with text and illustrations in white, red and dark blue.

The box includes adequate information to help the potential purchaser decide if this device includes the desired functions and also to inform about what is included in it’s contents. There is also a clear picture of the device itself and it’s associated arm cuff.

Inside the box, each piece of the device is wrapped in a polythene bag.

The actual contents are:

Blood Pressure Monitor
Arm Cuff (with tube that connects to the monitor)
4 x AA Batteries
Plastic case to hold the monitor and cuff
Instruction manual
Record diary (a small booklet to record your readings)

The items dimensions are approximately:

Width 17.5cm (max)
Height 6.5cm (max – slopes from back to front)
Depth 10cm

Weight 480g (without cuff, but including batteries)



INSTRUCTIONS
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These are presented in a small (13cm by 11cm) paper booklet with 12 pages (24 sides) dark blue on white print in a small but readable size text.

The booklet explains what Blood Pressure is, what can cause high levels and what can be done about it. It then goes on to explain the operation of the device using good illustrations and easily read text. Towards the end of the manual it includes sections on possible faults that may be encountered with the unit, a section on batteries and battery life, a short piece about maintenance and storage and some basic technical data. The contents page lists:

Introduction
Important Information before use
Parts identification
Preparation and taking your blood pressure
Memory function
Possible faults, causes and rectification
Batteries
Maintenance and storage
Technical data

In my experience, the instructions are more than adequate for you to competently use the device and interpret it’s readings – with, of course, the limitations imposed by the non-qualified user (me !).


FEATURES
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The Blood Pressure Monitor takes three measurements:

Systolic Pressure
Diastolic Pressure
Pulse (beats per minute)

See earlier section about Blood Pressure for an explanation of these terms.

The display consists of two separate LCD displays, one above the other, both bold Black figures on a light grey background.

~ Top Display ~

This gives two readings:

Top – Systolic Pressure (marked SYS)
Bottom – Diastolic Pressure (marked DIA)

It also shows:

A heartbeat symbol indicating your active pulse
An up or down arrow indicating if the arm cuff is inflating or deflating

~Bottom Display_

Pulse rate (marked PULSE)

It also shows:

A number (when in memory recall mode) indicating which memory is being recalled from 1 (most recently stored) to 14 (oldest stored).

The figures are approx 2cm high which makes them easily readable.

The device features a memory button (light blue marked M) used to recall the last 14 measurements made by the user. These are easily recalled by repeated presses of the button (memories cycle from 1 to 14 and then back to 1).

The right hand side of the unit has two buttons:

On/off button (Dark blue) – toggles the unit on and off
Start button (White) – starts a measurement cycle

The supplied arm cuff which is easily attached around your upper arm (1-2cm above your elbow) is easily attached using a Velcro fastener, and is made to fit arms sizes 22cm to 32cm in circumference. Boots will supply a bigger cuff free of charge in exchange for the standard size if required. The cuff is connected to the main unit via a thin plastic tube through which air passes to inflate / deflate the cuff.

Batteries (4 ’AA’ cells) are easily inserted in a compartment located in the base of the unit. The device can also be powered using a mains adapter which can be purchased from Omron (the handbook gives details).


EXPERIENCES IN USE
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Using the BPM is easy; once the arm cuff is fitted correctly on your upper arm (easy to do), it only takes one press of the Start button to make the measurements.

The process is painless, with only a slight feeling of discomfort in the area where the cuff is inflated on your arm. You get to know when the measurement is almost finished when the pressure starts to release and you can feel your pulse beneath the cuff.

Measurements take approximately 30 seconds from pressing the Start button until the measured values are displayed. The cuff is only pressurised for about half of this time. Times do vary slightly dependant on the stability of the reading.

The device feels well manufactured and I believe that it will give many years of use as long as the cuff is not misused.

Measurements can occasionally produce unexpected results, with one or other of the Blood Pressure measurements being unexpectedly high or low. Due to the nature of the measurement process, these strange measurements will usually be due to the user moving during the measurement cycle, or the arm cuff being incorrectly located, or possibly located upside- down (which is hard to do, as the tube only lies comfortably one way, and there is a green band on one end of the cuff indicating the side that should be nearest to your elbow).


TIPS
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I found that taking 3 measurements about 5-10 minutes apart and averaging them gave more consistent results. It was also good for highlighting rogue measurements, usually caused by arm movement during the measurement process.

Try taking measurements at different times of the day to see how your levels are affected by different circumstances including stress, exercise, eating etc.

It must be remembered that everyone is an individual and each person should expect different Blood Pressure levels. So it is important to ensure that you are aware what is correct for you, and this can only be done by consulting your own GP who can offer the right level of advice. This device is a very useful tool for recognising changes in your Blood Pressure level, which may indicate other problems.


SUMMARY
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• Measures Systolic and Diastolic Blood Pressure, and Pulse Rate
• Easy to use and to interpret results
• Clear easily readable display
• Well manufactured and robust

I paid £79.99 for this device, which, on reflection and after further investigation, seems to be reasonable value for money.

There are cheaper units, particularly wrist mounted monitors, but as I have no experience their use and have not seem them in my GP’s surgery, I have erred on the side of caution and bought something that I know works.

Overall I am very pleased with my purchase and it has been well accepted by my family who all take turns in using it to monitor their own condition. This can only be a good thing.

Summary: Provides peace of mind