Can a Doppler Blood Pressure Monitor be used at Home?
Taking blood pressure measurements at home is fairly widespread, and is carried out by patients with chronic illnesses, for instance, hypertension. With regards to this, many people would probably opt for traditional blood pressure monitors which are also called Aneroid Sphygmomanometers ; but it is quite natural that a certain question may arise and that is whether a Doppler blood pressure monitor can be fit for home use or not? It is now high time we considered the possibilities of applying this sophisticated technology into the house.
· Influence of Doppler Blood Pressure Monitors
A Doppler blood pressure monitor works by using ultrasonic waves to monitor the flow of blood in the arteries hence is suitable where ordinary techniques may not work well. It is usually employed in clinical contexts, or where the patient has peripheral artery disorder or where the blood pressure is too low to be read by usual systems.
Doppler monitors can be analyzed as a complex system where the variations of certain parameters affect several aspects of the monitor.
One of the goals one would have in mind upon deciding to use Doppler blood pressure monitor at home is the issue of the device. Compared to the standard monitors, Doppler monitors are not very difficult to use though one cannot just walk around and start using them without some level of competency. The procedure entails placing of transducer on arteries, use of conductive gel and the interpretation of the results make this difficult for a lay person.
· Accuracy and Reliability
Even though doppler monitors are quite accurate, specifically when it comes to hard to monitor cases, such accuracy is based on the correct use of the tool. While in the clinical setting, the trained personnel assure that the monitor is being used appropriately, the same cannot be said in home-use, there may be a learning slope. That is, if a patient or his or her caregiver is ready to devote a certain amount of time and efforts to the process of mastering the proper usage of the device in question it might prove rather helpful. However, it might just be more convenient for the majority of users to simply use and rely on common automatic blood pressure measuring devices even if the readings will not be as precise as the above mentioned forearm and upper arm devices.
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