penybobeny
06-27-2007, 01:22 PM
To get the most out of monitoring your BP at home remember a few simple "rules" and you will be able to keep a more accurate record of your BP health.
1- Do- Always take your BP in the same position.
In other words, if you take it sitting at a table with your arm resting on the table, always take it at the table in that position. Readings can vary if you take them laying down or standing.
2- Do- Replace your batteries regularly.
Even if the battery seems to be fine remember that over time they lose strength and might cause your BP monitor to go slower or not pick up your pulse as quickly.
3- Don't- Take your BP measurements over and over in quick succession.
Give your veins and arteries at least five minutes to relax between readings, taking the readings one after another may give you false high or low readings.
4- Don't- Take your home BP monitor readings as gospel, have the readings compared by a professional.
You can have your BP taken at your DR's office or even a local Fire Station... if you are getting readings that seem to be unusual it is a quick trip to a Fire Station to ask them to check your BP, and it doesn't cost a thing. Doing this will give you a better idea of your monitor's accuracy.
Good Luck and Happy Monitoring!
1- Do- Always take your BP in the same position.
In other words, if you take it sitting at a table with your arm resting on the table, always take it at the table in that position. Readings can vary if you take them laying down or standing.
2- Do- Replace your batteries regularly.
Even if the battery seems to be fine remember that over time they lose strength and might cause your BP monitor to go slower or not pick up your pulse as quickly.
3- Don't- Take your BP measurements over and over in quick succession.
Give your veins and arteries at least five minutes to relax between readings, taking the readings one after another may give you false high or low readings.
4- Don't- Take your home BP monitor readings as gospel, have the readings compared by a professional.
You can have your BP taken at your DR's office or even a local Fire Station... if you are getting readings that seem to be unusual it is a quick trip to a Fire Station to ask them to check your BP, and it doesn't cost a thing. Doing this will give you a better idea of your monitor's accuracy.
Good Luck and Happy Monitoring!
Sponsor
acp44
06-27-2007, 02:01 PM
Unfortunately doctor's office readings are often inaccurate and vary wildly as well, esp. where white coat anxiety factors in. At mine, the nurse takes it, yacks at you while taking it after rushing you in, and voila I read 145/80 routinely. 15 minutes later the doctor takes it and it is 125/75. A lot of doctors won't even go by their own office readings.
I would also note that there are recent medical studies noting that home readings are better predictors of BP target organ damage than doctor's readings.
But yes, do keep home monitors in good working condition and make sure they are calibrated.
acp
I would also note that there are recent medical studies noting that home readings are better predictors of BP target organ damage than doctor's readings.
But yes, do keep home monitors in good working condition and make sure they are calibrated.
acp
joe86
06-28-2007, 05:19 PM
I agree entirely with home-monitoring. A couple more things I advise are:
1. Upper arm cuff: these are generally more accurate. There are some good quality wrist cuffs but why take the chance of getting an inferior one.
2. You don't have to buy the best but don't buy the cheapest either. A good brand monitor in the medium price range is extremely accurate. Unless you're getting extreme or inconsistent readings I don't think it's necessary to get backup readings.
3. Relax a few minutes before taking the reading. Be aware that BP will often be higher just after rising in the morning.
1. Upper arm cuff: these are generally more accurate. There are some good quality wrist cuffs but why take the chance of getting an inferior one.
2. You don't have to buy the best but don't buy the cheapest either. A good brand monitor in the medium price range is extremely accurate. Unless you're getting extreme or inconsistent readings I don't think it's necessary to get backup readings.
3. Relax a few minutes before taking the reading. Be aware that BP will often be higher just after rising in the morning.
GEORGEP
06-29-2007, 11:55 AM
When I go to the doctor the nurse walks me into the room and does not even give me a chance to relax a little before she is wrapping the cuff around my arm and talking to me while I am sitting on the end of the table with my legs dangling. I always get a higher reading with her. The doctor comes in and he checks it again and it is always lower. I thought you were supposed to sit in a chair with your back resting against and your feet flat on the floor. That is how I check it at home..
acp44
06-29-2007, 12:54 PM
When I go to the doctor the nurse walks me into the room and does not even give me a chance to relax a little before she is wrapping the cuff around my arm and talking to me while I am sitting on the end of the table with my legs dangling. I always get a higher reading with her. The doctor comes in and he checks it again and it is always lower. I thought you were supposed to sit in a chair with your back resting against and your feet flat on the floor. That is how I check it at home..
Yep that's the standard procedure! This morning the nurse clocked me at 138/78, and the doctor 5 minutes later (back unsupported, legs dangling) at 132/82. This is one reason why home monitoring is SO important!
Yep that's the standard procedure! This morning the nurse clocked me at 138/78, and the doctor 5 minutes later (back unsupported, legs dangling) at 132/82. This is one reason why home monitoring is SO important!
famnd
06-29-2007, 01:52 PM
Yea, how about the ones with the cuffs with leaking air bags? Last time, the nurse had my arm elevated instead of at heart level. I just shake my head & tell them not to worry about my b/p as I am on tons of meds to cover it. Fam
violet312s
07-07-2007, 01:32 AM
famd...I can identify with that.
I just about ripped a nurses head off when she attempted to take my BP with my arm fully above my head and just after I had to give a urine sample. Gosh I was so shocked that it was super high. Told her to go pee in a cup and then elevate her arm and see what it would read. She was not a happy nurse but at that point I didn't care.
Fortunately my doctor took my BP at the end of the visit. What a shock, it was much better and totally within range.
I just about ripped a nurses head off when she attempted to take my BP with my arm fully above my head and just after I had to give a urine sample. Gosh I was so shocked that it was super high. Told her to go pee in a cup and then elevate her arm and see what it would read. She was not a happy nurse but at that point I didn't care.
Fortunately my doctor took my BP at the end of the visit. What a shock, it was much better and totally within range.
Lenin
07-07-2007, 08:40 AM
Mine is the opposite...after sitting in a waiting room I have to PEE and the bathroom is through his examining room and office. SO unless I want to cut my appointment short and peee while paying his rates (like what $500 an hour?) I hold it and my BP is ALWAYS high when I have a full bladder.
4- Don't- Take your home BP monitor readings as gospel, have the readings compared by a professional.
Let me add one.
4(a)- DON'T take your "professional's" reading as gospel, have him compared to a good electronic instrument occasionally.;)
(An aside...Roosevelt Hospital in Manhattan was ALL electronic BP testers...hooray.)
Yep, the sound of that "tearing velcro" during inflation is just SOOO reassuring!:nono: :dizzy:
4- Don't- Take your home BP monitor readings as gospel, have the readings compared by a professional.
Let me add one.
4(a)- DON'T take your "professional's" reading as gospel, have him compared to a good electronic instrument occasionally.;)
(An aside...Roosevelt Hospital in Manhattan was ALL electronic BP testers...hooray.)
Yep, the sound of that "tearing velcro" during inflation is just SOOO reassuring!:nono: :dizzy:
KiraKira
07-07-2007, 10:11 PM
Yep, the sound of that "tearing velcro" during inflation is just SOOO reassuring!
That just cracked me up. Isn't that indeed the fastest way to a HIGHER blood pressure reading??!!
That just cracked me up. Isn't that indeed the fastest way to a HIGHER blood pressure reading??!!
penybobeny
07-08-2007, 06:07 AM
Yep, the sound of that "tearing velcro" during inflation is just SOOO reassuring!
That just cracked me up. Isn't that indeed the fastest way to a HIGHER blood pressure reading??!!
Oh, definately... the ohhh so soothing sound of the machine... and if it stops deflating midway and inflates more, well heck, that just means that it loooves you and wants a tighter hug, followed by tearing velcro sound... heck, just subtract your age from the dystolic and you might get a good number. Doesn't hurt that in many places they have you fill out forms then walk over and before you even settle into the chair they strap it on, shove a thermometer covered with plastic so that your tongue can be hurting as well and ask you as you juggle the thermometer in your mouth how you are feeling as the plasti-cuff slowly cuts off circulation and the edge pinches you and geeee... your BP seems to be a bit high today.... well... DUH! :mad:
Give me a real person with a stethoscope and a sphegomo... spighmatome... BP cuff any day of the week!
That just cracked me up. Isn't that indeed the fastest way to a HIGHER blood pressure reading??!!
Oh, definately... the ohhh so soothing sound of the machine... and if it stops deflating midway and inflates more, well heck, that just means that it loooves you and wants a tighter hug, followed by tearing velcro sound... heck, just subtract your age from the dystolic and you might get a good number. Doesn't hurt that in many places they have you fill out forms then walk over and before you even settle into the chair they strap it on, shove a thermometer covered with plastic so that your tongue can be hurting as well and ask you as you juggle the thermometer in your mouth how you are feeling as the plasti-cuff slowly cuts off circulation and the edge pinches you and geeee... your BP seems to be a bit high today.... well... DUH! :mad:
Give me a real person with a stethoscope and a sphegomo... spighmatome... BP cuff any day of the week!
Lenin
07-08-2007, 09:04 AM
Oh yeah,
I FORGOT about the cuff pinch. :D:D
How about the "pump it up, drop it down, pump it UP, drop it down pump it UP again..."
Yes we find that relaxing and it gives us great confidence in our doctors. I am sometimes tempted to ask "Is your HEARING okay?" (if I'm in a good mood) or, if I'm NOT, then to do a Three Stooges routine with me being MOE and using two fingers to poke Dr. Curly in the eyes while making a cute BOINK sound.
I FORGOT about the cuff pinch. :D:D
How about the "pump it up, drop it down, pump it UP, drop it down pump it UP again..."
Yes we find that relaxing and it gives us great confidence in our doctors. I am sometimes tempted to ask "Is your HEARING okay?" (if I'm in a good mood) or, if I'm NOT, then to do a Three Stooges routine with me being MOE and using two fingers to poke Dr. Curly in the eyes while making a cute BOINK sound.
penybobeny
07-08-2007, 10:13 PM
Yes we find that relaxing and it gives us great confidence in our doctors. I am sometimes tempted to ask "Is your HEARING okay?" (if I'm in a good mood) or, if I'm NOT, then to do a Three Stooges routine with me being MOE and using two fingers to poke Dr. Curly in the eyes while making a cute BOINK sound.
"Oooo... a wise guy, eh... nyuck nyuck"
"Oooo... a wise guy, eh... nyuck nyuck"
violet312s
07-09-2007, 01:00 AM
After the umpteenth medication adjustment I go for my regular female-plumbing check-up. Had just changed meds a week earlier so I was in that "no checking" phase. Nurse did a BP check and it was a perfect 120/80. Since I couldn't possibly now be in normal range I challenged the nurses BP-taking skills. She didn't much like that but I explained my situation, she nodded and left.
At the end of the appointment she made a point to come back and re-take my BP..and she over-pumped it just to make sure. It was 122/79. Apparently I'd found a medication that worked.
I apologized profusely and just about kissed her on the spot. I left the exam room doing a small dance of joy. She smiled a knowing smile.
At the end of the appointment she made a point to come back and re-take my BP..and she over-pumped it just to make sure. It was 122/79. Apparently I'd found a medication that worked.
I apologized profusely and just about kissed her on the spot. I left the exam room doing a small dance of joy. She smiled a knowing smile.