Best sphygmomanometers according to redditors

>Any tracker that isn't a machine in a doctor's office, clinic, or hospital is probably going to be somewhat inaccurate.

Even in a medical office with maintained and calibrated equipment, there's always a margin of error. Mobile BP stations can be off as much as 15-20 points (up or down) depending on the battery's status same with pulse/ox and thermometers. Non mobile equipment can vary in their margin of error based on the manufacturer. These are simply tools that can help us get a general idea of what's going on and guide the examination in the right direction.

These personal measuring devices that people buy should be treated with the same caution. Use them as tools to guide your activities. If the thing is reading a PR of 60 and you're 350 lbs and wildly inactive then you're probably not going to have the resting rate of a very healthy active person. And if you're a healthy active person and the thing reads a PR of 160 after a mild jog then you might want to learn how to do a manual PR.

Basically these devices are novelties and should be treated as such. If you want accurate information you're going to need to do it manually. A good sphygmomanometer (BP cuff), stethoscope and watch (with seconds hand or seconds display) are all you need to start getting good data. Learning how to do it properly is rather simple and your primary care physician would probably be more than happy to show you. The best part is that even if you had to buy all three items new, it would probably be cheaper than many of the "auto-magical" devices out there.


Edit: cuff & stethoscope set from prestige on Amazon is $35 with free shipping. This is definitely a lower grade set, but the meter should stay calibrated properly for years. Assuming you don't beat it to death.

http://www.amazon.com/Prestige-Sphygmomanometer-Stethoscope-Matching-Carrying/dp/B00062N4K0

These ADC Diagnostics ones are great. The gauge is built into the rubber pump, so you don't need to mess around trying to get it to stay in a position where you can read it.

I got this one. It works pretty well and it comes with a case which is nice. I feel like it is pretty high quality too. But honestly I used it a lot only for the first semester, after that I was only using the machines... but it is good to know how to do it manually. Good luck!

What I started with: Stethoscope, sphygmomanometer or a sphygmomanometer for the lazy, pulse oximeter, reflex hammer, tuning fork, a pen light, notebook, Maxwell, pocket medicine, clipboard, 48 pens (of which I somehow only have 2 left), and finally a pack of decoy pens to hand out to people that need to "borrow" a pen but never give back.


Seriously where do all of my pens go??? It turns out half them went into my gf's bag x(.

What I was given or picked up along the way: scalpel, needle drivers, tweezers, scissors, various types of vicryl, bandages, gauze, alcohol wipes, surgical lube (that I took from the hospital when no one was looking ;) ), and a pocket CPR mask. I took a bunch of normal saline and IV kits as well but they don't fit in the bag.

count your heart beats for 10 seconds, then multiply that by six, its much easier. As for [blood pressure] (http://www.amazon.com/PROSPHYG-Proscope-Aneroid-Sphygmomanometer-Adult/dp/B000QV5HOM/ref=sr_1_6?s=hpc&ie=UTF8&qid=1414079643&sr=1-6) something along these lines should work fine, if you spend more you can get a digital readout but i think thats pretty unnecessary

Just get a blood pressure cuff and a stethoscope. Taking your own blood pressure is super easy to do, and both of those are quality instruments for much less than $150. I’m an EMT - we have monitors on our ambulance that read blood pressure, heart rate, can do EKGs, work as an AED... and the BPs are notoriously inaccurate. The most accurate reading will come from doing it yourself.

Tomorrow at some point, tell him that you need to talk to him as soon as he has time. I don't know if you guys live together, live close by or what your situation is. But tell him that you need to talk at his earliest conveniance. Don't take no for an answer, unless he has a really good reason, like work or something. Don't let him smoke beforehand, that might not let him comprehend the seriousness of the conversation. As far as what to say to him during the conversation, that's up to you. But really stress the fact that you're there for him and that for the relationship to work, if something is going on then he needs to be open with you about it. Quite frankly if he is pulling away from you and isn't willing to be open with you about his health/personal life then maybe the relationship isn't as serious as you might think it is. And maybe you need to rethink things. And by things, i mean your relationship with him.

But have the talk first, maybe all it takes is a little reassurance that you are there to help him.

Also in regards to the blood pressure thing, if the doctor prescribed blood pressure medication, then it's serious enough that he needs to take it. As an EMT(and paramedic intern) I can safely say that taking a blood pressure is easy enough to do. If you care enough about him, and have a few bucks saved up, go spend 50 bucks on buying a cheap blood pressure cuff and a cheap stehoscope and learn to take his blood pressure yourself. It takes about 45-60 seconds and is super easy. if I can do it you can, as a matter of fact, if you go that route, msg me and I'll teach you. Or you can spend a bit more and get an in-home automatic blood pressure machine. But seriously, high blood pressure is not something you want to ignore.

Well I'm not buying the DS58 cause it's over $230 and they tend to "disappear" during med school in my college so it's about buying a good one but not so good that people will want to steal it.

I looking at this on amazon and I think the DS45 seems good. What do you think?

http://www.amazon.com/Welch-allyn-Durashock-Sphygmomanometer-Adult-Cuff/dp/B002MBG00O/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1409621926&sr=8-2&keywords=welch+allyn+sphygmomanometer

I knicked this one off the Amberlamps, here is the link that resembles it slightly tho! https://www.amazon.com/LotFancy-Aneroid-Sphygmomanometer-Pressure-Approved/dp/B0126MS6Z0/ref=sr_1_14_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1495230053&sr=8-14&keywords=BLood+pressure+cuff

I work at a desk job 8-10 hours a night. It has been terrible for my health, both physically and mentally. So I've decided to pursue a new career. I joined a volunteer fire rescue service. I received my first responder certification. I am now an EMT student, due to start class in just a few weeks. Once I have my EMT certification, I can work part time in addition to my full time job for awhile, until I can pay off enough debt to switch full time to a job that is more active, more rewarding, and benefits a lot more people than just I. However there are some equipment items on my wishlist that I really need both for EMT school and my current practicing of First Responder. This is one of the items I have been coveting for rescue, as well as I really need one of these as I do not have a blood pressure cuff yet and I REALLY need the practice as it is actually fairly difficult to master manual BP readings. Even if I am not selected, I thank you very much for the opportunity and for being a generous person to help someone out.

/u/MrA1Sauce seems like they would be an awesome person and they get extra points for A1 Sauce being my favorite condiment next to Arby's sauce.

You can also buy this at CVS https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00ACBKNS6/ref=mp_s_a_1_2_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1466604279&sr=8-2&keywords=blood+pressure+cuff&pi=SX200_QL40

What do you mean "decent"? The ones you'll be working with in the real world won't be $200 gold trimmed cuffs, so you should get used to the basic ones either way. They work just as well.

Edit: just saw you wanted a steth as well. Same rule applies. Just buy the cheapest one.

I got mine from Amazon, and haven’t had any issues. Much nicer than the ones sold through my school.

Here is an Amazon link IDS Blood Pressure Bulb Pump Replacement, Healthy Sphygmomanometer PVC Adjustable Pump Bulb rubber blood tester, Black, 2 Pcs

2 for $8.50

Never tried that one, but you can get much cheapet cuffs off amazon.

I have this one... its $14, and great!

Aneroid Sphygmomanometer Blood Pressure Gauge - LotFancy Manual Blood Pressure Cuff with Zipper Case, Calibration for Accurate Readings, Adult Size Cuff (10-16 Inches) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0126MS6Z0/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_VfUvDbPQ59X5C

Post something that your graduate physical therapy professor just told you today that you need to buy for class but you can't really afford it right now!

My entry:
http://www.amazon.com/Premium-Aneroid-Sphygmomanometer-Color-Passion/dp/B008UCUPFU/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_nC?ie=UTF8&colid=DX12TD6VNJ6R&coliid=I2JNTFDRXLA1K7

You can acquire a [sphygomanometer] item without completing any [prescription] subquest.

A few weeks ago I bought this one from Amazon that my CNA instructor recommended. It's relatively inexpensive but holds up really well.