When to Replace Your Blood Pressure Monitor: 5 Key Indicators

Monitoring blood pressure at home is vital, but many people don’t realize their devices have a lifespan. My dad had been tracking his blood pressure for eight years. Last month, his doctor noticed his home readings were wildly different from what they recorded at the clinic — his old monitor was off by 15–20 points. If we hadn’t caught it, this could have caused serious problems. That experience taught me an important lesson: blood pressure monitors wear out over time and can give inaccurate readings, putting your health at risk. 1. Inconsistent or Wildly Different Readings If your monitor gives drastically different readings within a few minutes, it’s a red flag. For instance, my neighbor’s old monitor showed 140/90, then 110/70, and 165/95 in consecutive readings. She replaced it with a modern wireless device, and her numbers became consistent and aligned with her doctor’s measurements. Normal blood pressure can fluctuate slightly (5–10 points), but differences of 30–40 points usuall...