Samsung and Panasonic

One of the best ways to keep track of hypertension is with a blood pressure monitor. High blood pressure is one of the biggest killers in both the US and the UK and usually has no symptoms - the only way to be sure about your blood pressure levels is to have them monitored.

Any doctor will usually measure your blood pressure as part of a standard check up. However, this one-off reading can be misleading as it only monitors the patient's blood pressure at one particular moment.

In fact, some people can suffer from something called White Coat hypertension, where they become nervous in a clinical situation and their blood pressure rises abnormally.

The best way to measure hypertension is to buy a home blood pressure monitor, and the information on this page is designed to help you make a more informed choice regarding which of the many blood pressure monitors you purchase.

Panasonic is one brand that makes excellent blood pressure monitors and the Panasonic EW3153W Arm-in Cuffless Blood Pressure Monitor is one example of this firm's offering. The monitor comes with a wireless reading unit which can be placed on either side of the cuff to display a pinpoint reading.

As well as an LCD display screen and a one-touch operation mechanism, the EW3153 can detect body movement and an irregular heartbeat, making it one of the more sophisticated monitors on the market.

As well as all this, the product has enough memory to record 90 readings for two people, making it a sensible purchase for an elderly couple who may both have concerns about high blood pressure.

Although an excellent monitor, the EW3153 can be off-putting due to its hefty price, (the average model costs around $149), and understandably so! This monitor is clearly situated at the top end of the market, although Panasonic also cater for those with a smaller budget.

The Panasonic EW3006S Wrist Blood Pressure Monitor - Automatic is priced at a much more reasonable $45 and comes with many of the features found in the EW3153. An LCD display screen is built into the EW3006, along with the one-touch operating system, as well as an automatic system that can save up to 90 readings.

It may not have many of the additional bonuses that the EW3153 monitor comes with, but it is certainly a good option for those with less money!

Nestled snugly between these two monitors is the Panasonic EW3109ACW Upper Arm Blood Pressure Monitor. This device, priced at $78, works by measuring only your essential pulse oscillation and eliminates other noise factors that can interfere with a reading.

Again the standard memory for 90 readings is present, although only for one person (unlike the EW3153).

However, the EW3109 also comes with certain features that its lower-priced cousin the EW3006 does not, such as an additional storage pouch, extra batteries and AC adapter cords and an improved battery lifetime expectancy (500 uses, rather than the EW3006's 300).

In my opinion, the EW3109 model is the better choice. Despite not being as high tech as the EW3153, it does come with a lot of features which, although not quite the same, are very similar and serve many of the same purposes.

Yes, the EW3006 is cheaper, but when it comes to buying a product such as a blood pressure monitor, you really do want to think about long-term usage - for not much more money, you can have a monitor that has more features and a longer battery life.

The EW3109's price tag as well is pretty hard to beat, considering the amount of options available to the buyer.

If you have the money and want to be sure of purchasing one of the most advanced and elegant monitors available, then the EW3153 is the device for you.

Likewise, if you are at the other end of the market, don't have much money and need a reliable blood pressure monitor quickly without all the extras, then the EW3006 monitor is a great piece of kit at a price that doesn't break the bank!

However, for my mind, the EW3109 (pictured below) is the way to go when it comes to Panasonic blood pressure monitors.

Samsung is another well-known firm that makes quality blood pressure monitors, and the average price tag is considerably lower than some of Panasonic's offering. One of the stalwarts of the Samsung catalogue is the 3000S Deluxe Inflate Blood Pressure Monitor.

Priced at around $50, the model also comes complete with free shipping from certain retailers. The device is equipped to record 90 readings and includes a similar auto-inflate system seen elsewhere, designed so that you can fit the monitor perfectly to their own wrist.

An additional noise control feature has also been added, allowing you to turn down the volume of the motor pump so that the device remains quiet and unobtrusive.

The company also makes monitors which have their own upright display screens, most notably the Samsung Healthy Lining Manual Blood Pressure Monitor BM 501S and its sister model the BPW 5007. Both are retailed at around $40 and are very similar monitors in essence.

They both come fully equipped with a personal alert system which allows you to progamme in data regarding dangerous levels of your blood pressure, something that can be ascertained with your doctor before use.

The monitors will record your readings and alert you when your blood pressure begins to reach dangerous levels, ensuring that you can seek the appropriate medical help if your health starts to deteriorate.

Both models also boast a memory averaging feature, where the monitor will automatically average out the last three readings in its memory before providing new data. The main difference is that the 501S can only record 48 readings, while the 5007 holds 120.

At the upper end of the Samsung market is the BD 7181 Healthy Living Deluxe Blood Pressure Monitor. Although the model can cost as much as $90, there are a number of retailers out there who offer special discounts where you can pick one up for as little as $40 or even $30.

The 7181 comes with many of the same features found in other models such as the automatically inflating cuff, the memory averaging ability and the LCD display, although the general components and workings of the device are of a high quality than other lines.

Average battery life for the product (when used once a day) is around six months, with a two-year warranty supplies on purchase.

Samsung's monitors are all very similar in functionability and additional features (most notably reflected in the similar price range). My personal choice would be for the 7181. Sure, it can be expensive in certain places, but there is a lot of opportunity online to find a great deal.

Although not very different from other models, I would go with the 7181 purely because the quality and general feel of the monitor is higher, ensuring it will last longer. Let's face it - the choice to buy a superior product for the same price as another model is not really a difficult one!

It is also worth noting that Samsung makes a range of accessories and replacement parts for its monitors such as replacement cuffs, meaning that you don't have to buy a whole other monitor if you only need certain parts of items.

Many other companies such as Braun, Oregon Scientific and Microlife also make good quality monitors that measure high blood pressure. I will be looking at the offering from these firms very soon!