To play doctor at home, use the right equipment

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Sure, you can check your blood pressure and blood sugar in the convenience of your own home. But that doesn’t mean the results are necessarily accurate.

That’s the word from Consumer Reports, which evaluated 16 blood pressure monitors and 13 glucose meters and published the results in its September issue.

The analysis of blood pressure monitors found that upper arm cuff versions were generally more accurate than wrist monitors. The four rated excellent were Omron Women’s Advanced Elite 7300W (which can also be used by men), CVS by Microlife Deluxe Advanced 344534, Omron HEM-711AC and ReliOn HEM-741CREL.

The analysis of blood glucose meters yielded an excellent rating for only one product, the OneTouch UltraMini.

Here’s what the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute has to say about high blood pressure, with some tips on how to take your blood pressure (example: Go to the bathroom first. Seriously.). And here’s some information from the American Diabetes Assn. about when, why and how to check your blood glucose.

-- Tami Dennis

Photo Credit: Ricardo DeAratanha