Omron HEM-650 Wrist Blood Pressure Monitor with APS (Advanced Positioning Sensor)
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Product Reviews of Omron HEM-650 Wrist Blood Pressure Monitor with APS (Advanced Positioning Sensor)
Product Review: Convenient
Summary: 4 Stars
This product seems to measure my blood pressure a little lower than it should, especially with the systolic number. I still like it, and recommend it, because it's so easy and convenient to use and I like the way it stores measurements and averages them. If you buy it, just make sure to check the measurement so you if it's off the mark or not.Product Review: Convenient, but reads low
Summary: 1 Stars
I've owned an Omron BP wrist-style BP monitor for some time, and it's easy to use and reasonably accurate. This newer model, however, reads 12-15 points low for both systolic and diastolic (compared to my physician's office reading with a standard BP cuff), which seems reassuring but produces a false sense of security. I bought another locally, to see if the problem was just with this one device, but it read the same. Accuracy is Job #1 for a BP monitor, and this one doesn't do the job. I returned the HEM-650 and bought an Omron HEM-711AC, an inflatable-cuff model, and it's right on. It runs on either batteries or an AC adapter. The accuracy is most important, so I'm staying with this model.Product Review: Danger!!
Summary: 1 Stars
When I received this item my first impression was its size. I was impressed! It consisted of one compact unit and included a case not much larger than a watch case. It was easy to position around the wrist and to operate. The only problem was it only worked one time every 10-12 attempts. The rest of the times it refused to recognize my heart, no matter where I positioned my wrist (yes, I identified which wrist I was using).
I called Omron in a last-ditch effort to ascertain what the problem was before returning it A friendly representative who seemed genuinely interested in my problem proceeded to walk me though the default settings. After several failed attempts to get it to work it finally operated satisfactorily. The next attempt was also successful. Figuring my problems were over, I ended the conversation. Then the monitor immediately failed to recognize my heart again.
It was then I came to this forum for some ideas. I dismissed the article that stated the unit would not work on overweight people. However, I was most interested in those comments stating their unit would only work when the Advanced Positioning Sensor (APS) was "OFF". I turned it OFF and the unit then recognized my heart and proceeded to provide blood pressure readings. Five stars to the Amazon Customer Reviews!
My concern is why the company engineered such a feature as APS without doing more lab studies. Rather than recognizing my heart, as it was designed to do, it essentially rendered the unit useless. An even larger concern is why their representative never even mentioned that fact that the APS might have been my problem. I find it difficult to believe they are not aware of the situation.
I am using the product in consonance with a program combining exercise, diet and medicine to reduce my high blood pressure. Continued high blood pressure could result in my undergoing Angioplasty or heart bypass surgery. So it is imperative that I obtain frequent and accurate readings.
I satisfied the "frequent" requirement by checking my pressure 4 times/day. It was up to the unit to provide the accuracy. In this regard it failed miserably!
My average blood pressure readings with the Omron were 117/65. But when I used a unit in a local drugstore my reading was 152/90. Figuring (and hoping) that the store unit was defective or not calibrated, I proceeded to take another reading at another drugstore. This time my reading was 150/92. Fearing the worst, I went to my family doctor to compare a reading with their unit to my Omron HEM-650.
My suspicions were verified. A reading with the doctor's unit was almost 40 points higher than the Omron. By relying on this unit I was becoming closer to a heart attack or stroke every day without even realizing it. This provided me a false sense of security which could have led me to a one-way trip to the cemetery.
Eventually I compared the Omron readings with 4 other units. The four units all agreed with each other. However, all their readings were 35-40 points higher than with the Omron.
I returned the HEM-650 to Omron Repair Services. While awaiting its return I decided to purchase another model. This model wasn't quite as compact or convenient to use. But at least it wasn't an "Omron" model. It was listed as a "ReliOn" model. But wait! After a little research it became obvious that this was also an Omron, model HEM-741 CREL disguised as a "ReliOn" model. It appears Omron has something to hide. I must say I don't blame them.
When I used the HEM-74 CREL the readings were similar to the other four units I had tested and 30-40 points higher than the HEM-650.
When the "repaired" monitor arrived, the enclosed Repair Report stated "No adjustments needed. Unit working per specifications". When I checked it again it was still 30-40 points too low.
I also found the "Settings" to be unduly complicated. For example, "On" means the APS is turned on (but it can also mean the unit is set to work on the right wrist). And "Off" means the APS is turned off (but it can also mean the unit is set to work on the left wrist). What "Genius" designed that system?
It is imperative you use an accurate blood pressure monitor, particularly if your blood pressure is high, like mine. Relying on inaccurate low readings with the Omron could jeopardize your very life. I suggest you run, not walk away from this monitor. If you insist on using it I would strongly suggest you check it for accuracy by calibrating it with an accurate, professional unit.
Class action suits have been initiated by legal agencies that represent those who have been injured or even died by using "FDA approved" drugs that did not comply with company claims. These cases are listed on TV all the time. Perhaps such a suit should be initiated against Omron on behalf of those customers who were provided a false sense of security by inaccurate blood pressure readings provided by this unit, resulting in surgery that should have been undertaken sooner. Unnecessarily delayed surgery could result in strokes and heart attacks.
Product Review: Did not work
Summary: 1 Stars
I returned this to Amazon and got my money back. It did not work for my family.Product Review: Did not work for me
Summary: 1 Stars
I had great hopes that this monitor would be accurate but it was not. I was able to get it to give me a reading right away but it is consistently 20 pts lower than my bp at the doctor's office.