OMRON Platinum Blood Pressure Monitor, Upper Arm Cuff, Digital Bluetooth Blood Pressure Machine, Stores Up To 200 Readings for Two Users (100 readings each)

OMRON makes high quality, accurate BP monitors. This one has many features that I haven’t really used, but the OMRON App and Bluetooth connectivity allow for easy, automatic transfer of the data to my Apple iPhone Health app, which is a key feature. The fact that it displays the most recent previous measurement is very nice, and the cuff seems of good quality and easy to use.

Over several years, I have found Omron to have a good reputation for accuracy and durability as well as a price that seems to be a bit higher than industry average. They also offer a confusing range of blood pressure monitors ( and other items ). There's the 3 series, the 5 series, the 7 and 10 series, the Bronze, Silver, Gold and Platinum models, the evolve, a do-all EKG model and at least one wrist model. About seven years ago, I started with the 10 series which came with a pre-formed, "comfit" cuff. I recorded my vitals in a journal notebook, averaged the results weekly and transferred the data to a quarterly graph. My doctor loved it. After about two years, I upgraded ( ? ! ? ! ) to the 10 series model BP 786n with Bluetooth, an available AP and again with the "comfit " cuff. The AP may have improved over the years, but, at the time, I was less than impressed with its performance and utility. Nor was I thrilled with Omron's apparent desire for Carte Blanche as to how my personal and medical information was to be used. I have not used Bluetooth or the AP on any of my blood pressure machines but have continued to make manual entries on my graph and in my journals. Recently I had to retire my trusty model BP 786n and purchased a Platinum model BP 5450 which came with a less than ideal fabric carry bag and a wrap-around, D-ring cuff. I found using the new cuff, one handed, to be annoyingly awkward. No problem, I still had my "comfit" cuff. I swapped it out and it seemed to work fine and I was satisfied until I noted in the manual states that cuffs not supplied with each model are " not compatible ". An e-mail from Omron simply stated that the Platinum BP 5450 was designed for use with the D-ring cuff and they couldn't guarantee accuracy if another cuff was used. A phone conversation with a tech added the issue arises from the algorithms used to compute blood pressure. I was also advised that they had a 10 series model BP 7450 which came with the desired " comfit " cuff. Now I have both......... PLATINUM BP 5450 / 10 Series BP 7450 COMPARISON and REVIEW Both machines have the same size, shape, footprint, apparent weight, good accuracy and very much the same functionality. There are a small number of differences. Notably the bezel around the screen on the 10 is black and on the platinum it's silver. The cuffs are as noted. There is one more button on the top right ( next to the "memory" button ) of the platinum and marked with a "sunrise" logo. This gives access, with the "rocker" button, to seven weeks of "morning" averages. The 10 series doesn't have the button or the function. Other buttons are identical. Incidentally, the manual for the platinum was multilingual, the10 series was English only. Set-up and routine use of both machine's are essentially the same; you should get familiar with the buttons as the "set up" will time out if you take too long. The right side of the display is the newest reading, the left side is the previous one. Both machines are noticeably quieter than my old model 786n. They also use batteries significantly faster, probably due to the larger, more complex display. I've made it a point to use the included AC adapter. Both machines have "tru-read" capability where the machine takes three readings at designated intervals then displays the average. For those who believe tru-read takes too long...... reduce the interval or turn off tru-read. I believe it improves accuracy and use it at 30 seconds. I have had an issue with "ghosting" of the display if it isn't viewed within a narrow angle. This may be universal. I have eliminated the ghosts by adjusting my seat height and tilting the machine towards me. All things considered, I couldn't recommend choosing one machine over the other. Both give results which are spot on with expectations. The morning average button or lack of it is up to individual users as is the preferred cuff. I prefer the comfit cuff but I could understand how some might think it stiff and uncomfortable. Some will prefer the wrap around but I find it awkward. I think you've made a good choice if you pick either. Update for information only: For several months I have alternated using both machines as boxed, both machines using only the "comfit" cuff and just the platinum alternating the cuffs. Results are inconclusive as my personal blood pressure is not steady enough to give a reliable base line. However, there is also no clear indication that the comfit cuff shouldn't be used. Readings for both machines using either cuff have been within expected ranges. Things that make you go: Hmmmmmmm. On the underside of both machines are two grooves just above the battery compartment. These grooves are not mentioned nor are they pictured in either manual. I determined that if you take two #14 wood screws ( or similar ) and install them horizontally, at eye level, on a vertical surface about 14mm apart, the monitors may be mounted for almost perfect display. I can't say that this is the grooves intended purpose and I found, for my purposes, such mounting to be unhandy.

Love it. Much better readings than the wrist type. Works quite well. Rechargeable batteries don't seem to last that long.

There seems to be a calibration issue. I was concerned about it so I took it to my Dr's office and did a test against the nurse's blood pressure readings. The machine was consistently 10 points off on both the systolic and the diastolic. So I have to remember that when I take my blood pressure it isn't quite accurate but does give me a good idea. Other than that, it functions great. It is very easy to set up and use. The cuff fits well around most adults arm. The memory capacity is very high. I do like how it connects to my phone via Bluetooth. Overall it is a good value for this price point.

REVIEW The Omron Platinum BP Monitor is registered with the FDA as a medical device and when you receive it you will understand why. It is a precision electronic instrument. Here are some highlights: • The monitor is heavy duty and finely crafted. • It has a real BP cuff with a D-ring that allows you to easily get it snug around your arm. • It has a variety of features, including a 3-take average and an alert for morning hypertension. • It has a carry case and an AC power supply. • It has a comprehensive, printed manual. • It is easy to unpack even if you problems with dexterity. • It is easy to read the display even if you have less than good vision. In short, this is a device you would expect to see used in professional home health care. You pay more but you get a lot more. If you want something that looks like it should be included with a happy meal, then spend $29.95. But first, ask yourself this. “What is my life worth?” ENCOURAGEMENT High blood pressure is a silent killer that affects about half of the US population, according to best estimates. I did not get one of the best BP monitors you can buy because I have high blood pressure. I got it because I DON’T WANT HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE! And the best way to avoid problems is to watch what your body is doing. I got into taking care of myself back when they laughed and called you a “health food nut.” No one calls me that anymore and my contemporaries stopped laughing a long time ago, those that are still alive. I take no medications and have boundless energy. I just ran 2 miles in the hills yesterday and tonight I will lift weights. I can stand with my legs straight and put my palms flat on the floor. I can balance on one leg and hold the other straight out for more than a minute. I am a lot older than you would guess if you saw me. How did I do it? Simple. Almost no alcohol, tobacco or drug use (I experimented briefly with cigarettes when I was a kid). Eating organic (no additives) and low on the food chain. Drinking bottled water. Protecting myself from chemicals in food and the environment. Reading about health and using good judgment rather than following fads. Exercising vigorously and often. Not letting anyone make me feel like a stick-in-the-mud for being cautious about my health. I may not have a medical degree but I have figured out that taking care of yourself pays off in dividends that are worth more than money. Just ask anyone who is sick. If you have a problem, your doctor is going to advise medication and you should listen to her. But you should also look to your lifestyle and change everything you can to improve your health. Your goal should always be to enjoy good health naturally because medications have side effects and will never completely compensate for a poor diet, inactivity, destructive habits or environmental toxins. I have some regrets in my life, but taking care of myself has never been one of them. I know it is difficult, but ask yourself this question. “What is my life worth?”

Excellent device, which has reliability and accuracy reported by major organizations - look them up. I have purchase 4 of these machines, for use in various settings and with several relatives. All performed well. I have compared them with traditional manual cuffs and even a mercury manometer, with good results. There are several versions of this product, especially the gold and platinum models. We have found the backlit platinum version to be the best for visibility, with the white on black numerals. It is certainly better in low light and for persons with limited vision. I have mentioned elsewhere that any single BP reading will vary to a degree, which is why you need to take several readings and look at the average. That variation also occurs based on the machine, setting and operator. A BP reading taken as soon as you set foot in your physician’s office, without time to rest, will probably not be as accurate as one taken after you have had time to relax and settle. That is the main benefit of this device, in that you can take your readings in the comfort of your home and bring them with you to your physician’s office. I have read several articles that report automated BP machines may be more accurate than manual BP machines. This is a little embarrassing, in that after 40 years as a practicing physician, I thought I could take a better BP than any machine. So, I have swallowed my pride and bring a record of my home BP readings on this machine to all my physician visits. You might visit the American Heart Association sites and read their opinions on how to take BP readings. They are enlightening and address some of the more “interesting” comments in some reviews.

When I originally bought this, I remember being a little disappointed that despite having their own OMRON app in the app store, you still had to manually update your blood pressure records in Apple Health if you want to keep all of your health data in one place. Well apparently they fixed that in an update, because now there's an option to update Health with new readings, and whenever I use the blood pressure monitor, I see the new reading automatically pop up in Apple Health. As for the performance of the monitor itself, it seems incredibly accurate. I did notice that if you do multiple consecutive readings, the first one tends to be the highest by several points. I looked it up, and apparently this is common and not specific to this device (it happens on my other BP monitor as well). The recommendation from numerous expert sources is to take three readings, 1-2 minutes apart, and then average them. Luckily, this is directly supported by the OMRON. You can enable an option to take three consecutive readings, and you can set the time between them (I chose 1 minute). The device automatically averages the three readings and displays the result. The setting is saved so that it will continue to operate this way unless you later disable it.

Warning, there is no returns / no refunds on this item. Wish I could give this zero or negative stars. At first look without using it, It seems to be made well. The reason I purchased this was because my doctor wants my blood pressure a little lower. It is at the high end of the safe range, he woul like to see it closer to the middle of the safe range. Major issues: 1) Will not stay connected with Bluetooth, keeps disconnecting, then you must go through the pairing process each time. 2) Will not stay synced. Must keep runing through the Bluetooth pairing process inorder to sync device to app. Wait a few minutes the app says it is not connected to the device, yet I am still sit at my desk with the BP monitor within two feet of my phone. 3) Worthless App, After you spent 10 to15 minutes each time, trying to get this thing to pair with the app and to so-call sync it. The app says it synced, yet the app shows no results. App does not show any reading, so what is it syncing? What is the app for? I wanted to be able see past reading and to be able to shows my doctor if needed. Says it stores up to 100 reading for teo users. Where are these reading stored, not in the app. If they are, it does not show them to you. Select dashboard, white screen. Select Blood Pressure, white screen. 4) **** MAIN issue. Incorrect readings. I took this with me to my doctor's office. I wanted to make sure I was doing it correctly and that the reading were correct, or at least in the same ballpark. Why did I do this? The first two reading I took looked way off. At my doctor's office, I showed him how I was doing it. He said, that looks correct, the reedings were way off, 221/162. So my doctor took a reading with his equipment, then tested this blood pressure reader. He put the band on my arm and took the readings. He switched back and forth, three times each, between his machine and this one. My doctor even took a manual reading to ensure his equipment was correct. Results: My doctor's equipment reading were 128/81, 127/80 and 129/81 for the three reading. Doctor's manual reading 127/81, in the same tiny ballpark as his blood pressure machine. The difference between his machine readings were basically null, within 2 points of each other on both upper and lower readings and his manual reading. Using this blood pressure machine, my doctor took the readings. He even checking the arm band and tried repositioning it. Doctor's reading with this blood pressure reader were as follows: 219/152, 181/119 and 198/129 for the three readings. Please remember, my doctor was switching between his BP machine and this one for each reading. a) Readings are WAY off, by as high as 91 points. b) The reading are all over the place. Upper numbers are fluctuating between 91 to 54 points. Lower reading fluctuating between 71 to 39 points. My doctor nor I trust the readings from this machine. There is no reason for my doctor to make this fail. Besides, I took two reading the day before and they were way high (the reason I took this with me to my doctor's appointment). Based on this machine, I have Super Hypertension Stage 3 and I should be in the hospital or dead. My blood pressure is at the upper end of the safe range, no where need being a critical or life threatening health concern as this machine says. I am now out $84+ on this junk. (No returns, no refunds). If you for some reason decided to buy this Blood Pressure reader, Please, Please check and confirm the reading with a doctor's BP reader or one at your local pharmacy before you start relying on its reading for any health related issues.