A&D Medical Premium+ Extra Large Cuff Upper Arm Blood Pressure Machine (16.5-23.6″/42-60 cm Range) Home BP Monitor, One Click Operation with Easy to Read Precise Readings

Accurate, Quick, and Simple
The LifeSource UA-789 Blood Pressure Monitor was purchased to replace an aging household monitor. However, I did use both just to compare the readings. Both had very similar readings and since my previous monitor was always well trusted I would consider the UA-789 to be accurate. A couple of household members also compared the readings before or after doctor checkups. Again, the UA-789 performed very well and had comparable readings to the doctor offices.This particular model is one of the few that come with an extra large cuff. The extra large cuff comes in handy, but since this particular monitor was going to be used by several people I also purchased the LifeSource UA-281 Blood Pressure Monitor Cuff, Large (14.2″ – 17.7″). Interchanging the large and extra large cuff is quick and simple. No hassles at all.The unit is fairly quiet, although not the quietest on the market. It tends to be very quick, but there are times where it takes a little extra time to get a reading (this could be user error in the fitting of the cuff to the arm). The numbers on the screen are large and it also shows a graph (with a red, yellow, and green area) that indicates where the blood pressure is high or low.You have the option of using the included power cord or batteries with this unit. I tend to just use the power cord and it works like a charm. Overall, this was a great purchase and recommended to anyone.UPDATE 1/2/2010: Over a year later and the LifeSource UA-789 is still performing above and beyond. Readings have been very accurate compared to visits to the doctor office (a little time difference of course from the office to heading home and using the UA-789, but the readings are very close). The monitor still performs like it is new with fairly quiet operation. This was a very wise purchase and will remain in the household for much longer. Still a recommended purchase!

Accurate, easy to use, but not backlit – hard to read screen in low light
This machine accurately measures my blood pressure. I’ve taken it with me to my medical appointments and test it against the readings my healthcare providers get with their equipment; it’s within a couple of digits of what they get every time. I have to take my blood pressure 2-3 times/day, so the readings need to be accurate to determine what actions I must take and whether I need to take a supplemental medication. I’ve tried a couple of other machines, but none have been as accurate as this one, and the larger armband fits well and is durable and easy to use. My only complaint is that the display is not backlit, so it’s very difficult to read in low light or low contrast environments.

Terrible Product. Terrible Support.
On the advice of my cardiologist, I needed to purchase a home blood pressure monitor. This model UA-789 from Life Source with the XL cuff was problematic from the beginning. I carefully followed the instructions and finally achieved a reading. I would wait more than 5 minutes between retry attempts and went so far as to remove all batteries and unplug the cord for the cuff. I figured starting from the very beginning each time would give the best chance of getting it right. Only 1 out of 5 tries would result in any reading at all. The machine would give a reading sometimes. The failed attempts were just puffing up the cuff, a countdown and then – nothing. It would freeze up and not reset, not try to do another reading even after waiting, squishing down the cuff and being in the correct sitting position. I have a tendency toward blood pressure that is too low and my current medications for another issue could drop it dangerously low. The machine would give me very high readings like I have never gotten in the hospital, in the doctor’s office or the specialty clinic. The support rep’s response was that the machine was fine and that it likely that I did not have the cuff on properly. I explained that I could get some readings so the cuff must have been positioned well enough at some point on my own, but the machine was not consistent. He said my doctor would have to calibrate it. I said I would rather get a refund and he told me to have a nice day and hung up. My only response was a questioning sounding “OK.” I was so shocked that I just sat quiet for a moment then started writing the review. I have enough life critical issues right now that I do not plan a huge campaign around this device. Time for the trash and a different product.

Couldn’t find a blood pressure machine anywhere in Australia that would fit my upper arm properly. Glad I imported this one, because it showed my BP is actually not that bad and that a lot of the readings I had at the doctors were wrong due to the arm bands being way too small. Sigh. Proper sized arm bands should be standard at clinics but we are a long way from that.

Excellent