Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

There truly is an art to taking blood pressure. It's even written about in the old versions of diagnosis books about how to take both systolic and diastolic pressures with a regular cuff and no stethescope (palpating a DIASTOLIC and a systolic)...a handy skill in a busy emergency room or the back of an ambulance where the noise level can make a stethescope worth about as much as a surfer's neckless. I tell you this to try and make it plain that I've looked at the nuances of taking a blood pressure, am no slouch, and have taken many blood pressures in life threatening situations, so that hopefully you'll listen to what I'm about to recommend... First, the cuff must be large enough when taking a blood pressure or the reading can be innacurrate (falsely elevated if cuff too small). If I'm taking the blood pressure for someone who has a large arm and I'm in a tight and don't have a cuff that's large enough, I'll listen at the wrist (with a normal sized cuff on the forearm and a stethescope at the wrist). But, if I have a cuff that fits properly, taking blood pressure on the upper arm is more accurate. I'd recommend you stay away from wrist cuffs unless there's some reason you can't take an upper arm value. While relying on a automatic wrist cuff, I've seen many patients led into thinking their blood pressure's normal when it's not. I would never trust an automatic wrist cuff for an important clinical decision. I don't normally write negative reviews but I feel strongly about this one, don't settle for second best unless you must. Yes, it takes a little longer to expose the arm, but it's worth it for the most accurate value. If there's some reason you can't expose your upper arm (such cases do exist) then this cuff may be the answer. See my book reviews and web site for more specific advice on how to lower your blood pressure. Peace & Health, Charles Runels, MD