Drug Store Machines Give Bogus Readings - High & Low Blood Pressure Message Board

Random2 · 09-01-2004, 10:13 AM

Have averaged around 106/63 to 120/70 for the past few months on Lotrel & Atenolol taking my b/p at Eckerds (now CVS) & other drug stores. Today my B/P was a ridiculous 147/87 at Publix (a grocery store). The lady before me & the lady after also had high readings like 170/90. I felt a little anxiety when I took it, because the store was crowded, because there is a hurricane coming & the old lady who was going next was talking to me the entire time. My pulse was like 64. I just wonder if this reading was totally bogus. I wouldn't question it if everyone wasn't getting really higher than normal readings in the store. Really thinking about not taking my b/p for a long time. It's been consistent for the past 18 months. What is everyone's opinion. Been taking it for 18 months & it has been consistent like I said.

zuzu8 · 09-01-2004, 11:34 AM

Axe-
Consistent is the operative word, kiddo.
If your readings have been consistently normal, then I would not be concerned with an occassional spike.

By the way, I thought you were monitoring your BP at home on your own monitor.( No?). That's the one I would trust most.

zuzu xx

Random2 · 09-01-2004, 01:01 PM

I am monitoring it at home. It was like 119/70 only 2 days ago. I shouldn't have taken it. Publix machines give bogus readings.

junior26 · 09-01-2004, 07:57 PM

My doctor told me never to take my BP on those things as they always give falsely high readings.

Random2 · 09-02-2004, 06:55 AM

It was 118/68 at Eckerds later on in the day..... Maybe, just nerves with the storm heading for South Florida. or a bad machine.