Hong Kong people lead stressful lives with busy work schedules and often unhealthy diets. This can lead to the dangerous "three highs" of high blood sugar, high cholesterol and high blood pressure, and even serious cardiovascular diseases.

Measuring your blood pressure in addition to improving one’s lifestyle and regular medical checkups can help to prevent diseases. The following guide can help you choose the right blood pressure monitor for your needs.

According to official website of the Department of Health, the following is a reference guide of different blood pressure levels:

Type:

There are three main types of electronic blood pressure monitors: arm, wrist and finger. For the general public, any type of blood pressure monitor will do. However, for those with vascular diseases and blood disorders (e.g., diabetes, hyperlipidemia, hypertension, arteriosclerosis etc.), finger and wrist blood pressure monitors are not recommended because the results of measurements in the upper arm and wrist vary to some extent. Get an arm-type electronic blood pressure monitor to reduce the margin of error.

Memory function:

Some monitors come with a blood pressure record function that allows users to view past measurements and get a full picture of their blood pressure levels over time. Some can even record blood pressure levels of more than one user. This function is especially suitable for the elderly or those who need to monitor their blood pressure for a long period of time for health reasons.

Mobile app features:

Some more advanced models come with a mobile app that connects the monitor via Bluetooth and sends measurement records to it. You can view the results in the app. It also analyses the data based on past records and offers a clear view of current health conditions in more detail.

Screen display:

When purchasing a monitor, make sure the screen is easy to read in term of the numbers and information represented by graphics. If you are getting one for an elderly person, choose a model with a large screen so they can read the data easily.

Warning and alert features:

Blood pressure monitor calibration:

The monitor should be calibrated regularly to obtain the most accurate measurements. If you do not know how to calibrate the device, bring it to a service station of the brand for adjustment or buy a non-calibrated device.

Hot brands： OMRON, Beurer, PANASONIC, UNIDEN