Sorry for not getting back sooner but have had major surgery.

The LifeSource bp machine is the only one I've bought so haven't had experiences with other machines to compare it with.

In reading your posts and others, it seems the Lifesource was much more difficult to use or maybe they all work in the same manner.

I saw another post to mine and they also had a Lifesource which acted strangely at times.

Mine seems to be very sensitive in that if you don't have the tubing following exactly toward the middle of your little finger you don't get a good reading. I also have a pulse oxymeter so check that with the pulse on the bp machine and often they're off. When this happens, I know it isn't a good reading.

Moreoever, I don't know about other machines but mine instructs to be able to put two fingers between cuff. This is fine except it's always tighter at the top than at the elbow. I called the toll free number for Lifesource and the lady said you have to practice and put it on a slant.

When I've gone to various doctors and they've used a bp machine, they seem to slap it on the arm with no particular concern and get a reading.

Any info as to what I'm doing wrong besides not being very smart :-).

Miss L,

Hope your surgery went well and that you are A-Okay!

I wish I could reassure you about your LIFESOURCE but haven't had any experience with it myself. It does come highly recommended by Consumer Reports although I know Alptraum has one and it behaves oddly from time to time.

It sounds like you're doing everything right...these machines can be pretty sensitive but the important thing is that are comfortable using it and your readings are close to those your doctor gets.

As long as the tubing is centered properly, I woudn't worry too much about whether there is a teeny bit more space for your fingers to get under the cuff at the elbow as opposed to the top. My Omron cuff is the same way.
I would take it to your doc next visit and have the nurse or doc do it for you and see what they get with it.

P.S. Even better, you take it yourself while there, so the nurse can observe if you are doing it correctly.

zuzu xx

I have a lifesource model, UA-779, got it at local drug store, it's the computer controlled self-inflating etc type. It seems alright, only one I've had so really don't have anything to compare it with. I've taken it to the doc, got similar readings with it.

Using the unit is pretty much idiot proof, instructions are right there on the cuff as how to put the cuff on, strap it on, press a button, sit back, it does all the work.

As Zuzu pointed out, atleast for me, sometimes it'll inflate, start deinflation, then start reinflating, as though my bp was above the pressure it inflated to, but then I get the reading and it's like 125/66 and it inflated to 155, not sure why it does this or if it's a problem or not.

I find it rather noisy as well, but again I have no idea how noisy other units are.

The lifesource machine always gives me a relaxed reading of 170/105. At the doc's, where I'm nervous like crazy, I get readings of 155/85. So, I guess it's different for everyone.