High blood pressure, or hypertension, is the main preventable risk factor for heart attack, stroke, congestive heart failure, peripheral artery disease, arrhythmia and other forms of heart disease. Monitoring blood pressure can help healthcare professionals determine if a person needs treatment for their high blood pressure and assess how well that treatment is.

A blood pressure test is a common feature of doctor visits. However, individuals can also check their blood pressure themselves, using devices such as an Omron blood pressure monitor.

With its headquarters in Kyoto, Japan, and blood pressure monitors available in more than 110 countries, Omron describes itself as a global manufacturer of healthcare technology. The company says it is working to improve the health outcomes of millions of people with high blood pressure by improving access to accurate blood pressure information.

The company says it is “going zero” in its goal of eliminating heart attacks and strokes.

Home blood pressure monitoring is a widely recommended process for those with hypertension, including those with borderline hypertension who are not yet receiving treatment. It’s a painless and quick process that most people easily adapt to, but the potential drawbacks include:

• inaccurate data
• increased anxiety, which could affect results
• the temptation to self-diagnose and make treatment decisions based on the readings without consulting a healthcare professional

After purchasing a home blood pressure monitor, a person should bring it to their next doctor’s appointment so that they can learn how to use it properly, verify its accuracy, and better understand what the results indicate.

The benefits of home blood pressure monitoring include:

• get a more accurate reading of people with “white coat hypertension,” that is, when blood pressure rises in healthcare professionals
• monitor how an individual’s blood pressure responds to treatment
• encourage interventions to lower blood pressure and improve blood pressure control
• making it easier to take frequent blood pressure readings
• save time and money compared to office readings

The main qualities to look for in a home blood pressure monitor include:

• meet validation standards for clinical accuracy
• automated operation
• designed to fit around the upper arm with different sized cuffs to accommodate different body types
• options to print the data, store the information or send it electronically to a healthcare professional

Home blood pressure monitors vary widely in terms of price, largely based on the number of features they offer. Before making a purchasing decision, individuals should determine what features they require. For example, some people may want an electrocardiogram (ECG) reading feature and Bluetooth connectivity.

A person with health insurance may also wish to check their policy to see if they have sufficient coverage for these devices.

Omron sells ECG machines, pedometers, and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) pain management devices, in addition to several blood pressure monitors which are all FDA approved.

Below we take a look at some of the Omron monitors that a person may consider.

Please note that the author of this article has not tried these products. All information is purely research based.

Full arm wireless blood pressure monitor + ECG

This high-end Omron blood pressure monitor also takes ECG readings.

It detects and measures atrial fibrillation (AFib), tachycardia, bradycardia and sinus rhythms, as well as systolic and diastolic blood pressure and pulse rate.

It may therefore be a good choice for people with AFib.

It can store up to 90 blood pressure measurements and offers Bluetooth connectivity through the Omron Connect mobile app, so a person can send their data directly to a doctor.

It comes with a D-ring cuff that fits arms with a circumference of 9 to 17 inches (in).

Wireless upper arm blood pressure monitor series 10

This Omron blood pressure monitor is equipped with a dual LCD monitor and built with technology to minimize the impact of breathing and movement on readings. It helps people compare their blood pressure test results and find the average.

It automatically takes readings at customizable intervals and a hypertension indicator alerts individuals of high blood pressure readings.

This device can connect to iOS and Android electronic devices via Bluetooth.

Evolv upper arm wireless blood pressure monitor

This Omron blood pressure monitor is a one-piece unit. The cuff fits arms with a circumference of 9 to 17 inches and the monitor rests on the upper arm.

The company’s advanced precision heart health algorithm enables the device to measure and collect data wirelessly. It can store up to 200 readings for two different people.

Bluetooth connectivity sends data to a person’s iOS or Android smart device, and the free Omron Connect app offers unlimited storage and memory tracking. The app also connects to Amazon Alexa enabled devices.

Wireless upper arm blood pressure monitor series 5

This device includes a soft, contoured cuff that fits arms with a circumference of 9 to 17 inches. It can store up to 60 readings for one user. The monitor automatically calculates the average and displays the three most recent readings from the last 10 minutes.

Individuals can also use the free Omron Connect app to store multiple users’ data for review or sharing with healthcare professionals.

Additional features include an irregular heartbeat alert and high blood pressure indicator.

Upper arm blood pressure monitor series 3

People can activate this Omron blood pressure monitor, which is one of the more affordable options, right out of the box with one touch.

It can store up to 14 different blood pressure readings and lets users know if they have had an irregular heartbeat while reading.

The wide range D-ring cuff accommodates arms with a circumference between 9 and 17 inches. The monitor has a large screen that the manufacturer designed to be easy to read.

High blood pressure is both a very common and potentially very serious disease. Home blood pressure monitoring is a widely recommended practice that can complement ongoing medical monitoring and treatment.

Omron is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of home blood pressure monitors. In addition to other personal medical devices, Omron sells a number of different home blood pressure monitors, the prices of which reflect the number of features on offer.

Every Omron blood pressure monitor is FDA approved.