Mel23
05-29-2004, 11:20 PM
How often should blood pressure be monitored when on medication?
I had BP in the 160/105 range before starting meds about 6 months ago. I'm now taking Toprol XL 100mg each night. Up until about a month ago, I had my bp checked once a week by the nurse at the college I attend-it had been about 130/90. College ended and I recently moved, and I don't have a pc doc here. I'm exercising and steadily losing weight, (which I think has helped more than the meds) but I still need a large cuff- so the Wal-Mart/drug store thing won't work.
I went for a check-up right before I moved and my doc said to just go by how I feel- if I start feeling lightheaded or dizzy I can cut the pill in half. I have a prescription for 6 months. Is it good enough to just go by how I feel and possibly not have it checked at all for 6 months? Is it possible to just call a local clinic and ask to have it checked by a nurse?
Thanks,
Melissa
I had BP in the 160/105 range before starting meds about 6 months ago. I'm now taking Toprol XL 100mg each night. Up until about a month ago, I had my bp checked once a week by the nurse at the college I attend-it had been about 130/90. College ended and I recently moved, and I don't have a pc doc here. I'm exercising and steadily losing weight, (which I think has helped more than the meds) but I still need a large cuff- so the Wal-Mart/drug store thing won't work.
I went for a check-up right before I moved and my doc said to just go by how I feel- if I start feeling lightheaded or dizzy I can cut the pill in half. I have a prescription for 6 months. Is it good enough to just go by how I feel and possibly not have it checked at all for 6 months? Is it possible to just call a local clinic and ask to have it checked by a nurse?
Thanks,
Melissa
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Rick7799
05-30-2004, 12:35 PM
Have you thought about buying a home monitor? Also whenever you go anywhere like the dentist, have them check it. Store monitors are often inaccurate.
SafetyJ2006
06-06-2004, 03:25 PM
I recently bought a blood pressure kit online that included a stethoscope attached to the cuff. It cost $45.99 with priority shipment.
My cardiologist recommends I take my BP around four times a day before, during or after different activities. This cuff makes it easy as one person can easily do it.
Right now I am in the process of just starting my medication regimen and titrating the drugs properly requires that my BP be recorded several times a day and reported every three weeks to my cardiologist.
My cardiologist recommends I take my BP around four times a day before, during or after different activities. This cuff makes it easy as one person can easily do it.
Right now I am in the process of just starting my medication regimen and titrating the drugs properly requires that my BP be recorded several times a day and reported every three weeks to my cardiologist.
zuzu8
06-07-2004, 02:27 PM
Melissa,
I agree with Rick that investing in a good home monitor is the way to go, although I would recommend something like an OMRON automatic digital self-inflatable arm cuff one. Very easy to use and incredibly accurate.
At first, you'll probably be a little obsessed with your new "toy" and want to monitor a lot, but once you know your baseline BP and that you've got good control, you needn't go crazy.
The first year I had mine, I took a reading three times a day. Same times each day.
Now that I know my BP is well controlled, I monitor perhaps one-to-three times a week.
You can't really know what your #s are by "how you feel". When your doc mentioned lightheadedness or dizziness, he was referring to the possibility of symptoms from your BP being to low.
But if it creeps UP, you will probably not have any symptoms, so home monitoring is a good idea.
zuzu xxx
I agree with Rick that investing in a good home monitor is the way to go, although I would recommend something like an OMRON automatic digital self-inflatable arm cuff one. Very easy to use and incredibly accurate.
At first, you'll probably be a little obsessed with your new "toy" and want to monitor a lot, but once you know your baseline BP and that you've got good control, you needn't go crazy.
The first year I had mine, I took a reading three times a day. Same times each day.
Now that I know my BP is well controlled, I monitor perhaps one-to-three times a week.
You can't really know what your #s are by "how you feel". When your doc mentioned lightheadedness or dizziness, he was referring to the possibility of symptoms from your BP being to low.
But if it creeps UP, you will probably not have any symptoms, so home monitoring is a good idea.
zuzu xxx
SafetyJ2006
06-07-2004, 03:41 PM
Well, I guess I'll weigh into this discussion. I was a medic in the Army for 20 years and on offshore drilling rigs and construction barges for another 13. I personally prefer an aneroid sphygometer for three main reasons.
1. I am more accustommed to using the aneroid than a digital.
2. With the digital, I cannot hear the quality of the systolic and diastolic beats so I really can't be sure the cuff has been placed properly.
3. I find the calibration of digital products I have questionable. For example, I have a scale that weighs me differently each time I use it and can't seem to get it to keep calibration.
Tyco makes an excellent blood pressure kit with a built-in stethoscope. I ordered one with a large cuff online and with the $9.95 priority delivery charge, it costs only $45.99. All you do is wrap the cuff around your upper arm, lining up the line on the cuff with your brachial artery, put the stethoscope earpieces in your ears, pump it up to about 20-30mm above the las beat you heard and slowly release the air.
As to the question of when to take your BP readings. Many people take them at the same times daily. My cardiologist recommends I take mine several times a day at different times of the day so I can get a picture of what my BP reading is in during various levels of physical activities.
If you take your BP at the same time every morning, let's say upon rising, after lunch and supper and at bedtime, you will get an accurate reading of what your BP is during those particular times, not necessarily what it is during different types of physical and mental stress.
Well, that's my two cents. I am interested in what others think about my ideas.
Jeff
:jester:
1. I am more accustommed to using the aneroid than a digital.
2. With the digital, I cannot hear the quality of the systolic and diastolic beats so I really can't be sure the cuff has been placed properly.
3. I find the calibration of digital products I have questionable. For example, I have a scale that weighs me differently each time I use it and can't seem to get it to keep calibration.
Tyco makes an excellent blood pressure kit with a built-in stethoscope. I ordered one with a large cuff online and with the $9.95 priority delivery charge, it costs only $45.99. All you do is wrap the cuff around your upper arm, lining up the line on the cuff with your brachial artery, put the stethoscope earpieces in your ears, pump it up to about 20-30mm above the las beat you heard and slowly release the air.
As to the question of when to take your BP readings. Many people take them at the same times daily. My cardiologist recommends I take mine several times a day at different times of the day so I can get a picture of what my BP reading is in during various levels of physical activities.
If you take your BP at the same time every morning, let's say upon rising, after lunch and supper and at bedtime, you will get an accurate reading of what your BP is during those particular times, not necessarily what it is during different types of physical and mental stress.
Well, that's my two cents. I am interested in what others think about my ideas.
Jeff
:jester: