Home blood pressure measurement with oscillometric upper-arm devices.

The market for automated blood pressure measuring devices is growing rapidly. Many patients want to buy a device for blood pressure measurement at home and ask their physician for advice about which one to choose. In this article an overview is given of the different devices available for blood pressure measurement and possible pitfalls in the interpretation of measurements taken at home are pointed out. A second article will specifically address those devices that are used to take blood pressure measurements at the wrist.