alimac
10-23-2008, 07:08 AM
I'm keeping a record of my bp at home as I'm 28, 16 weeks pregnant and have 'white coat syndrome'. When I go to the drs my pulse and bp shoot up (I think because of a memory of my dad in a cardio unit). When I'm at home my bp is fine. In fact it is now lower than it ever has been - generally 108/69. My only worry is that if I take it a couple of times in one sitting - to make sure the machine is working(!) the systolic can fluctuate a lot making me worry if there's something wrong with the machine. Can your bp fluctuate a lot even if you're sitting doing nothing?
Sponsor
marantz1935
10-23-2008, 08:40 AM
Can your bp fluctuate a lot even if you're sitting doing nothing?
Hello,
It can if you feel a bit anxious about what numbers will show up on the monitors display. I've seen my own systole drop 19 points in a single sitting! Make sure you leave a least five minutes between readings.
Good luck.
Marantz. :)
Hello,
It can if you feel a bit anxious about what numbers will show up on the monitors display. I've seen my own systole drop 19 points in a single sitting! Make sure you leave a least five minutes between readings.
Good luck.
Marantz. :)
ntbd
10-26-2008, 02:17 AM
mine can sometimes fluctuate up to 10 points on readings taken one right after another. It drives me crazy.
I could then hand the same machine to somebody else and watch them get steady readings one after another.
For clinical trials, they generally take three readings: discarding the first and averaging the last two.
I could then hand the same machine to somebody else and watch them get steady readings one after another.
For clinical trials, they generally take three readings: discarding the first and averaging the last two.
aether4
10-26-2008, 02:35 AM
How long are you waiting between readings? Actually taking your blood pressure will affect your reading for a short time because the baroreceptors will be trying to adjust.
I have a wide range on my blood pressure 50s/30s - 100/60, and the occasional odd readings where my diastolic will be in the 70s or 80s. Time of day, position, if I've had enough to drink , taken my medicine to keep my blood pressure up, and to a lesser degree - stress all affect how much of a range it will have.
I have a wide range on my blood pressure 50s/30s - 100/60, and the occasional odd readings where my diastolic will be in the 70s or 80s. Time of day, position, if I've had enough to drink , taken my medicine to keep my blood pressure up, and to a lesser degree - stress all affect how much of a range it will have.
AnnD
10-26-2008, 03:09 AM
Not all home units are accurate. Next time you go to the doctors for your blood pressure take you home unit with you and use it after they take you BP at the doctors office then take yours to see if it is the same. Then you will know if yours is correct.... and no it shouldn't be fluctuating that much at the same sitting on the same arm.
marantz1935
10-26-2008, 05:05 AM
...and no it shouldn't be fluctuating that much at the same sitting on the same arm.
Hi Ann,
I thought as much myself. I brought my store brand machine along to my GP and she said it was fine. In fact, in the doctors office my top reading dropped from something like 145 to 122. I noticed she didn't leave a gap between readings though, taking one straight after another. I wonder...:confused:
Marantz.
Hi Ann,
I thought as much myself. I brought my store brand machine along to my GP and she said it was fine. In fact, in the doctors office my top reading dropped from something like 145 to 122. I noticed she didn't leave a gap between readings though, taking one straight after another. I wonder...:confused:
Marantz.
alimac
10-26-2008, 09:28 AM
Thank you all for your messages. I think what is important is that my readings from one sitting to the next are similar - but, as someone else suggested I sometimes have to disgard my first reading (the systolic can be unusually high 130-135 due to my anxiety). I have kept a record of my average reading at similar times of day and they seem to be more or less consistent. I think, what I will be looking out for is a sudden rise of bp in the third trimester as that may indicate pre-eclampsia. But I know also to look out for swelling and protein in my urine. I think my bp was abnormally low a couple of times because I had the cuff too tight - the same thing happened with my husband. The important thing is that I'm getting over my phobia as I'm now more used to the sensation of having my bp tested. The Dr says there's no reason why it should be high. I am trying not to get too neurotic!!;)
daff
10-26-2008, 09:48 AM
....
For clinical trials, they generally take three readings: discarding the first and averaging the last two.
That seems like a good practice to follow. Do they take the readings right after one another or do they wait 5 minutes in between. a recommendation I've read elsewhere on this board.
For clinical trials, they generally take three readings: discarding the first and averaging the last two.
That seems like a good practice to follow. Do they take the readings right after one another or do they wait 5 minutes in between. a recommendation I've read elsewhere on this board.
marantz1935
10-26-2008, 10:32 AM
That seems like a good practice to follow. Do they take the readings right after one another or do they wait 5 minutes in between. a recommendation I've read elsewhere on this board.
Hello,
I think most home monitors suggest leaving at least five minutes between measurements. Another tip I came across recently is to take off the cuff between taking blood pressure readings and shake arm a bit to get blood flowing again. I've started doing this recently.
Marantz.
Hello,
I think most home monitors suggest leaving at least five minutes between measurements. Another tip I came across recently is to take off the cuff between taking blood pressure readings and shake arm a bit to get blood flowing again. I've started doing this recently.
Marantz.