Both readings are important. One measures your blood pressure during a heart contraction and the other measures blood pressure between heart contractions. For your particular situation, you should discuss both measurement results with your doctor.

Blood pressure measurement values vary from the left arm to the right arm. The average is generally within 10 mmHg (millimeters of mercury) for most individuals. OMRON home blood pressure monitors are generally designed for use on the left arm as they are validated through clinical studies using the left arm. You should talk to your doctor before using the right arm to take a measurement.

The American Heart Association recommends that anyone with, or at risk of high blood pressure, should monitor their blood pressure at home. Home blood pressure monitoring is one of the best methods of trending a person’s blood pressure in their own environment.

Click here for more information from the American Heart Association on who should monitor at home, and why.

Digital monitors measure blood pressure oscillometrically rather than by auscultation. In auscultation, stethoscopes are used to take blood pressure by listening for specific heartbeat sounds which the doctor then uses to determine systolic and diastolic pressures. Oscillometric technology measures the vibration of blood traveling through the arteries and converts the movement into digital readings.

OMRON digital blood pressure monitors use the oscillometric method of blood pressure measurement. An oscillometric monitor does not need a stethoscope so the monitor is simple to use.

It is also important to note that Home Blood Pressure monitoring allows you to monitor frequently and share the results with your doctor if you desire.

It is quite possible that your readings may be different from your upper arm to your wrist as blood pressure varies throughout the human body. All OMRON blood pressure monitors, whether upper arm or wrist, are validated in the same manner and have the same accuracy specifications. In terms of which type of blood pressure monitor is best for you, we recommend that you discuss this with your doctor, based on your individual needs.

For more information on OMRON’s line of upper arm and wrist home blood pressure monitors, click here.

Oscillometric technology measures the vibration of your blood traveling through your arteries and converts the movement into digital readings.

All OMRON blood pressure monitors are clinically proven accurate. They are clinically validated to be within the following:

• Blood pressure: within +/- 3 mgHg or 2 percent
• Pulse: within +/- 5 percent of reading.

This meets or exceeds the AAMI (Association of Medical Instrumentation) standards. To understand the accuracy levels of other manufacturer’s blood pressure monitors, you need to contact them. It is always important to investigate accuracy and ease of use before purchasing a home blood pressure monitor.

It is quite normal for people’s blood pressure to change throughout the day and night, or in different settings where you may take your blood pressure. Many things, such as stress levels, food or drink intake, activity levels, even time of day can all affect a person’s blood pressure reading at any given time. So, it is possible that you may just be seeing normal fluctuations in blood pressure.

However, below are some common situations that can lead to inconsistent or inaccurate readings:

Using the wrong cuff size for your arm

Just because the cuff may fit around your arm does not mean it is the right size cuff for you. The correct cuff size is directly related to the circumference of your arm. To get accurate readings, it is important that you are using the correct sized arm cuff. To determine your arm size, use a cloth tape measure and place midway between your elbow and your shoulder around the circumference of your upper arm. Wrap the tape measure evenly around your arm. Do not pull the tape tight. Note the precise measurement in inches. Select an OMRON home blood pressure monitor with the right size of cuff included, or if you already have the monitor, and need a different sized cuff, contact our consumer support line at 877/216-1333, and they can assist you to purchase the right size accessory cuff for your unit.

VIDEO: How to Find the Correct Size Blood Pressure Cuff
VIDEO: How to Take Blood Pressure Measurement Using an OMRON Wrist Blood Pressure Monitor

Not using the cuff correctly

Make sure you are wrapping the cuff around your arm in the correct position. After wrapping the cuff around your arm, check the location of the brachial artery marker. The air tube should run down the center of your arm. The cuff should not be wrapped too tight or too loose. Look at the instruction manual for the monitor to get more detailed instructions on the specific cuff included with your unit.

VIDEO: How to Reassemble an OMRON D-Ring Blood Pressure Cuff
VIDEO: What is an OMRON Easy-Wrap ComFit Cuff and How Does It Work?

Activities right before taking a measurement

Avoid eating, drinking alcohol or caffeinated beverages, smoking, exercising and bathing for 30 minutes prior to taking a measurement. It is also best to rest for 15 minutes before starting the measurement. Avoid taking a measurement during stressful times. Take the measurement in a quiet place.

VIDEO: Why Does Blood Pressure Fluctuate?

Incorrect body position or moving too much

Sit in a chair with your feet flat on the floor. Rest your arm on a table with your palm facing upward. The cuff should be level with your heart. Do not talk or move during the measurement.

VIDEO: How to Take Blood Pressure Correctly

Timing of taking measurements

Try to take readings at the same general times each day (for example, once in the morning and once at night) for comparison purposes.

VIDEO: Why OMRON Blood Pressure Monitors are Easy to Use

Yes, you will see some differences. This is normal and can occur for many reasons. Some of the more common reasons are:

1. A person’s blood pressure varies throughout the day, so at any given moment your blood pressure can change.
2. In terms of the amount of change; there are published studies that show a given person’s blood pressure can change by up to 20 mm within a day, based on activity levels, food/drink intake, stress, etc.
3. You may have a condition known as “White Coat Hypertension.” This is a condition in which a blood person’s blood pressure rises above its usual level when it is measured in a doctor’s office or clinical setting.
4. You may have a condition known as “Masked Hypertension.” This is a situation in which a person’s blood pressure falls below its usual level when it measure in a doctor’s office or clinical setting.

So do not be alarmed when you see differences between your readings at home compared to your readings in your doctor’s office. Discuss it with your doctor to get the best overall picture of your heart health.

There are many reasons why blood pressure readings may seem high. Below are some of the common reasons and the estimated ranges of how much readings can vary. It is important to ensure you are using the monitor as it was intended, so please make sure you are following the directions in the instruction manual, or call our consumer support line at (877) 216-1333 if you have questions. It is also important to note that if you can continue to see high readings, discuss with your doctor or a medical professional — it is possible that your blood pressure is actually higher than what you believe it to be.

Factors Affecting Accuracy of Blood Pressure Monitors¹

1 Handler J, The Permanente Journal 2009; 13:3:51-54

Electronic versions of the instruction manuals can be found in the OMRON Product Support & Solutions Center.

The most common cause of high readings when using a wrist blood pressure monitor is because the user does not have the wrist monitor at heart level. When using a wrist monitor, pleas ensure the device is at heart level when taking a reading. Also note that there may be actual differences between your blood pressure at the upper arm site and the wrist site.

When doing this type of a comparison, it is very important that the measurements are taken in a certain manner in order for the reading on the OMRON monitor to be accurate. The OMRON monitor uses oscillometric technology that measures the vibration of the blood as it moves through the arteries. The doctor is using a different method of measurement and listens to the sound of your heart. It is necessary for the doctor to take the first measurement using the OMRON monitor. The brachial artery is fully open and not restricted so vibration of the blood is accurately measured. It is also important to note that the different test methods may give slightly different readings due to the test methods or due to the normal fluctuation in blood pressure.

In the instruction manual that came with the unit, there is a section included on on the different types of error messages. Please review this section of the manual. You can locate electronic instruction manuals in our Product Support & Solutions Center.

If this does not fully resolve the issue, please contact the OMRON consumer support line at 877/216-1333 or contact us.

The precise instructions on setting the date and time on OMRON blood pressure monitors can vary by model. Please view the instruction manual or getting started guide that came with the unit. You can also located electronic instruction manuals in our Product Support & Solutions Center.

The process for deleting the stored data is unique to your model. Please check your instruction manual. Electronic versions of the instruction manuals can be found in the OMRON Product Support & Solutions Center.

OMRON blood pressure monitors are NOT intended for use during exercise or activity. We recommend that you avoid eating, drinking alcohol or caffeinated beverages, smoking, bathing and exercising for at least 30 minutes before taking a measurement. It is also best to rest for 15 minutes before starting the measurement.

The warranty period depends on which OMRON model you purchase or own. Warranty periods on the monitor itself (not including cuff) are generally anywhere from 1-5 years, and are based on the life expectancy of the unit. Most cuffs or other accessories are generally 1 year. Please check the instruction manual for your specific unit. Electronic versions of the instruction manuals can be found in the OMRON Product Support & Solutions Center.

For most models, the warranty coverage for the arm or wrist cuff is one year. Cuffs will need to be periodically replaced throughout the life of the monitor. When purchasing a replacement cuff for an upper arm unit, please be certain to measure the circumference of your arm to purchase the correct cuff size. Please check the instruction manual for your specific unit. Electronic versions of the instruction manuals can be found in the OMRON Product Support & Solutions Center.

You need to contact our consumer support line at 877/216-1333. The representative will discuss the situation with you, and help determine if you need to send it in for inspection.