Have seen some small ones that can be bought for $30 to $40 usd. One model I'm looking at is this one, called Citizen CH 452:

http://www.flipkart....tmczzyzdaad7rdg

It's upper arm, rather than the simpler ones that you put at the wrist (I assume aren't as good?).

So question, are these things generally trustworthy and reliable, or tend to be off? Is it much better to use the old hand pump manual kind? (Can those be used alone, or need help from someone?)

I have a 'Sanitas SBC 27' wrist monitor, German made. Bought it new on Ebay for about 500 Baht. http://www.sanitas-o...wrist/SBC27.php . If you can find a better one I'll take my hat off to you. 'Omron' is a good maker also and available on Ebay. http://www.ebay.com/itm/omron-wrist-blood-pressure-monitor-a-p-s-model-hem-650-/140689374515?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item20c1bd7d33

Wrist monitors are not reliable as the pulse is less strong at the wrist than at the inner elbow. Should only use the kind that wrap around the upper arm.

I beg to differ.

"A study conducted in Switzerland compared the blood pressure measured by a wrist monitor (the Omron R3) with the traditional mercury sphygmomanometer measuring blood pressure from the upper arm, and a catheter placed directly in the artery, which is the ‘gold standard’ of blood pressure measurement. It was done in 100 patients who were undergoing catheterization of their hearts, which entailed measurement of blood pressure from inside the major arteries. It was found that the wrist monitor gave readings that were a little closer to the pressure measured directly from the artery than the readings given by the mercury sphygmomanometer."

http://bio-medical.com/news/2003/04/accuracy-of-a-wrist-blood-pressure-monitor/

I like the Omron wrist model I have because it indicates the correct elevation of your wrist to line up with your heart. Although I do not know how accurate this reading is, it does mean that you always take readings with your wrist in the same position and so you get better reproducible readings, and thus monitor changes of blood pressure over time better.

I do not know the model number but it has an 'intelli sense' trademark on the front.

It also cost 100 GBP (5000 baht) about 10 years ago.

I took the wrist type with me to the hospital and checked it against the upper arm type.

Good enough.

My cardiologist, Director of cardiology, told me it is best to not use the wrist monitors but the arm monitors due to accuracy/consistency issues. This is from the Mayo Clinic website. Proper, consistent use and it may be ok. BTW, I've seen OMRON available at pharmacies in Thailand, Boots and others.

Question

Wrist blood pressure monitors: Are they accurate?

How accurate are wrist blood pressure monitors? Mine consistently shows a lower blood pressure reading than that taken by my doctor.

Answer

from Sheldon G. Sheps, M.D.

Wrist blood pressure monitors can be accurate if used exactly as directed. However, according to the American Heart Association, it's best to use a home blood pressure monitor that measures blood pressure in your upper arm. Devices for the upper arm are also easier to check for accuracy than are wrist monitors.

Wrist blood pressure monitors are extremely sensitive to body position. To get an accurate reading when taking your blood pressure with a wrist monitor, your arm and wrist must be at heart level. Even then, it's thought that because of differences in the width of the arteries in your forearm, and how deep the arteries are under your skin, blood pressure measurements taken at the wrist are usually higher and less accurate than those taken at your upper arm.

It's not uncommon for blood pressure readings taken at home on any type of monitor to be different from those taken at your doctor's office. If you have a wrist blood pressure monitor, it's a good idea to take your monitor to a doctor's appointment. Your doctor can then check your blood pressure with both a standard upper arm monitor and a wrist monitor in the correct position in the same arm to check your wrist blood pressure monitor's accuracy.

Source Mayo Clinic

My cardiologist at a leading Bangkok hospital also told me not to get the wrist variety and it's the advice you see on most websites.

I have an Omron SEM-1, 1,999 baht at Watsons last year. Omron is one of the three main brands, I've seen them used in Bangkok hospitals.

Even taking your blood pressure from your upper arm or from a wrist monitor is now up for question.

Difference in blood pressure between both arms 'reveal real health risk'

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-2093652/Difference-blood-pressure-arms-reveals-risk.html#ixzz1kvv5dYJA