The number of people with diagnosed cardiovascular diseases is growing every year. A change in blood pressure in patients with arrhythmia causes a deterioration in well-being. To keep heart rate and blood pressure under control, it is necessary to use an electronic or mechanical tonometer to measure pressure. We will talk about what such a device is and what to look at when buying it, today.

What is arrhythmia?

Arrhythmia is called the failure of the rhythmic work of the heart muscle. Dysfunction of the heart is caused by functional disorders or organic lesions of its tissues. Most often, arrhythmia is a symptom of more serious diseases:

  • malformation;
  • coronary artery disease;
  • myocarditis;
  • heart attack;
  • cardiosclerosis;
  • heart failure.

Other causes, such as impaired nervous regulation, metabolism, or fever, are not ruled out.

Regardless of the etiology, the appearance of arrhythmia is a sign that something is wrong with the body, so you need to take action immediately.

Function of indication of arrhythmia in a tonometer

Not so long ago, it was possible to measure the pressure in arrhythmia only with a mechanical tonometer. More convenient to use electronic devices gave incorrect readings.

A modern device is endowed with an arrhythmia indicator - a special sensor that monitors the rhythm of heart contractions. If an irregular heartbeat is detected, the corresponding icon will appear on the display.

However, the appearance of an indicator does not always indicate abnormal heart function. Perhaps the pressure measurement was not performed correctly. You just need to take readings again, observing the rules of the procedure:

  • the hand should be relaxed, lying on a table below the level of the heart;
  • Do not talk, do not strain while it is still.

The best blood pressure monitors for arrhythmias record the last few measurement results, as well as not once, but three times they check the pressure. This allows you to give the most accurate answer.

Attention! If the dysfunction of the heart is not diagnosed, but the heart flashes on the screen of the device over and over again, this is a signal to consult a doctor. Perhaps the cause lies in arrhythmias.

What else to look for when choosing

To make it easy for an elderly person to use the tonometer, the display is backlit, and the icons on it are large. An automated device facilitates the operation of non-professionals, because not everyone knows how to use a mechanical model with a mandatory phonendoscope.

When choosing a model, pay attention to the following tonometer options:

  • cuff: shoulder or wrist;
  • principle of operation: automatic measurement or semi-automatic;
  • display: the size of the icons (not only numbers, other indicators, too), the presence of backlight, brightness adjustment, contrast;
  • memory of the last testimony: whether it is, how many measurements it stores, distribution by users;
  • whether autonomous operation is possible or only network operation is provided.

Tonometers are sold in pharmacies without a prescription. Before deciding on a particular model, try the device in action: the price is rather high, and you should not buy something that you can’t use on your own. For preventive purposes, take the meter without additional special options, because it is cheaper.