We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Health

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What is a Wrist Monitor?

By Sheri Cyprus
Updated: May 17, 2024
Views: 9,826
Share

A wrist monitor is a blood pressure tracking device made for wearing on the wrist much like wristwatches. At first glance, a wrist monitor looks similar to an oversized wristwatch because it consists of a large screen on a wide wrist strap. Digital wrist monitors have numerical readouts while the aneroid types have a dial-like gauge that displays the wearer’s blood pressure readings. Although wrist monitors may not give exactly the same readings as the blood pressure cuffs in a doctor’s office, they are still considered efficient and accurate when used properly.

The instructions for each particular wrist monitor should be followed exactly for the most accurate blood pressure reading results. Wrist monitors need to be held at heart level to ensure accuracy. Some styles have a sensor that lets the wearer know if the monitor is held in the correct position. A wrist blood pressure monitor may store as many as 60 or more past readings.

Most wrist monitors are battery powered and are designed with easy, one button operation. The compact design of a blood pressure wrist monitor makes it ideal for travel as well as for use at home. Wrist monitors allow patients with hypertension, or high blood pressure, to better manage their health. The readings can help them gauge how well their blood pressure medications are working. Seeing the readings can also remind patients to watch their diet, lower their stress levels and maintain their exercise goals.

Wrist monitor wearers can bring the device to doctor appointments so the readings can be compared with those indicated on professional medical equipment. The use of wrist monitors is approved by the American Heart Association. Many wrist monitors also detect irregular heartbeats and these may be sold as a heart rate/blood pressure monitor.

Blood pressure wrist monitors that evaluate other body systems are said to have advanced diagnostic features. A wrist blood pressure monitor may track the wearer’s pulse rate; some monitors even measure body fat. The type of blood pressure wrist monitor that measures body fat is often sold as a fitness device that is worn mainly to track heart rates during exercise.

Share
WiseGeek is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.

Editors' Picks

Discussion Comments
By burcinc — On Jun 02, 2014

@SarahGen-- I have a wrist monitor and the readings have always been accurate. As long as you follow the directions every time, it will be fine. Make sure to wait five minutes before trying again if a reading seems inaccurate.

By ZipLine — On Jun 02, 2014

@SarahGen-- I asked my doctor about this and he said that electronic blood pressure monitor readings might be slightly higher than the actual readings. He said that an old-fashioned sphygmomanometer gives the most accurate readings. But obviously, most people don't know how to use it or can't use it on themselves.

So it's better to use an electronic monitor than to use nothing at all. You might want to take your wrist monitor with you on your next doctor visit to compare the readings from the sphygmomanometer with the readings of the wrist monitor.

By SarahGen — On Jun 01, 2014

Are wrist monitor readings really accurate?

My blood pressure has been rising very frequently lately and I need to keep track of it all the time. It's a pain to use a regular blood pressure monitor. It takes some time for me to get the cuff on and position it properly, etc. It would make my life easier to use a wrist monitor, but I'm worried about whether the readings will be accurate.

Share
https://www.wisegeek.net/what-is-a-wrist-monitor.htm
Copy this link
WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.