How accurate are wrist BP machines? - High & Low Blood Pressure Message Board

bride527 · 08-28-2004, 08:25 PM

When i take my BP at home with my wrist machine i always get low readings.....116/67 or 112/75...At the doctors my "white coat syndrome" kicks in and i end up with higher readings....today at a health fair it was 152/80. She said the bottome number was fine but the top was high. I was nervous when she was taking it.. Why?????? i don't know.
Why am i getting such low readings with my home monitor. It is never high when i take it at home. Are they really accurate? bride527

Rick7799 · 08-29-2004, 12:12 AM

I don't think the wrist monitors are very accurate. You are much better off with the cuff that goes around the arm. If you get low readings with that then you have white coat hypertension.

zman4 · 08-29-2004, 02:15 AM

Is anything wrong with white-coat syndrome, other than that you have to take your own BP?

Rick7799 · 08-29-2004, 10:24 AM

No, as long as that is the only time your blood pressure is high. Being high for that short period of time will do no damage. Even at 150/90, if it comes down to the normal range at other times, there is no problem

bride527 · 08-29-2004, 05:54 PM

Is it possible to get "normal" readings if you have high blood pressure........I don't want to start taking my BP alot but i did get a little worried when she told me it was 150/80 the other day..so i took it today and it was 120/70.......perfect (with my wrist monitor) could my machine be really off or was i just nervous when i got the 150/90 reading.?????????????/
When i go to my drs for my annual this month i will bring my machine with me and check it there.......bride527