The Omron HEM-650 Wrist Blood Pressure Monitor With Advanced Positioning Sensor

If you are looking to buy a Blood Pressure Monitor to keep a check on your BP levels and you do a lot of travelling, then a wrist monitor like the Omron HEM-650 may be worth checking out. It would also be a good backup monitor to take with you when on vacation, giving the convenience of portability due to the unit being powered by 2 x Triple A batteries giving approx 300 measurements.

Omron HEM-650

This is a Wrist Fitting Blood Pressure Monitor that has the Display Unit and Cuff combined, it also includes APS (Advanced Positioning Sensor)

The advantage of this type of monitor is that anyone with large arm circumference can still use this, providing their wrist size is between 5.25 and 8.5 inches.

The Digital Display is a good size and very easy to read. Information displayed is Systolic (taken when the heart is beating) Diastolic (when the heart is at rest) Pulse and Date & Time.

There are a number of symbols indicating various functions including:

• Irregular Heartbeat
• Cuff Deflation
• Right Wrist Measurement
• Position Sensor Alarm
• Low Battery Alert

There are also a number of Error Messages that are displayed with an “E” on the top line. If the display shows an error then refer to the User Manual to find out what the cause is and how to correct it.

The Omron HEM-650 is capable of detecting an Irregular Heartbeat. This will happen if it detects 2 or more irregular heart rhythms within a measurement period. If the heartbeats increase or decrease by 25% or more this is considered irregular.

If the Irregular Heartbeat Symbol is displayed in conjunction with a reading, it is advisable to inform your Doctor.

The Omron HEM-650 can be used on either wrist to make measurements, but it is advisable to always use the same wrist for consistent readings. If the Right Wrist is used then the Right Wrist Measurement must be selected. This is indicated by the letter “R” in the bottom LHS of the display.

The unit has built in IntelliSense technology exclusive to Omron that automatically inflates the Cuff to the optimum level for both comfort and accuracy of measurement. Once the reading is complete then the Cuff is deflated.

As with all Omron Blood Pressure monitors, accuracy is second to none, the Omron HEM-650 being no exception. In order to get the best readings an averaging system is built into the unit. Up to 3 readings can be averaged providing they were taken within a 10 minute period of the last reading.

This unit will store up to 90 measurements including Time and Date stamps. These measurements can be retrieved and viewed on the display, starting with the most recent and ending with the oldest.

Advanced Positioning Sensor

One of the most important features of the Omron HEM-650 is the Advanced Positioning Sensor. This clever device can detect when the monitor is level with the heart. If anyone tries to take a reading and the monitor is not at the correct level, then the Cuff will not inflate. When you move your arm to the correct position the Cuff will now start to inflate.

Most people who intend to buy a Blood Pressure Monitor will go for an Upper Arm fitting unit, due to the accuracy that can be obtained. If you have a job where you are constantly on the move then this may not be the best choice, and a wrist blood pressure monitor may be a better option. With the Omron Technology including the Advanced Positioning Sensor, the Omron HEM-650 wrist Blood Pressure Monitor is capable of the same degree of accuracy and consistency, and may be worth further investigation.