Omron Automatic Blood Pressure Monitor Model HEM - 711

The Omron HEM - 711 is one of a group of closely related 'automatic' sphygmomamometers that share the same basic engineering, sold under the Omron name (Omron Healthcare, Inc.). These are all designed to allow individuals to measure their own blood pressures without assistance from anyone else. The cuffs inflate and deflate automatically and the systolic (pulse, or 'upper' number) and diastolic (lower pressure between contractions) is measured and displayed on the screen. The pulse rate (beats/minute) is also displayed. Very handy; very useful, but does it provide information that is accurate enough to rely on for critical medical decisions? That is the principal question that I shall try to address in this review.