Frustrated by BP monitor-low reading than dr. office
I have been home for approximately 4 weeks due to case of vertigo at work. (BP at that time was 180/100 nurse took it at work) Went to dr. -blood pressure was 150/78 and wanted me to start taking another bp pill along with my Benicar. (Haven't started yet the Coreg). After several weeks on a antibiotic (dr. thought may have had inner ear problem) for the vertigo-still dizzy and having panic attacks now. Bought a blood pressure monior Reli-on-digital but you must manually inflate. Since beginning to take my bp at home -I get readings 107/65 to 117/70. Highest was the first time I used it 132/76. Anyone know how reliable these are. I'm beginning to wonder if I get "white coat" syndrome before having my bp taken at the dr.s office or if I am not correctly placing the cuff on my arm.
I've taken my bp using both a large cuff and the one that came with the unit.
Large cuff I get slightly lower readings. Took my husband;s and his was 165/87 ! So I know the numbers go that high on the unit! Plan on taking the unit in next week when I see the dr. and try to explain why I haven't started the Coreg yet. Anyone have problems with the home bp monitors giving such a drastic difference in readings?
Re: Frustrated by BP monitor-low reading than dr. office
Hi Pat,
Yes it is very, very common. You are doing what is best, keep your readings at home, right them down, take them to your doctor ALONG with your monitor, if your monitor even reads high in his office along with his reading, you do have white coat syndrome. I do, and kept a log of my readings at home, I have panic attacks and sheer nervousness just going to the doctor's since I worry over the BP, now he dismisses his readings and goes by mine (as far as true BP).
Re: Frustrated by BP monitor-low reading than dr. office
I'm surprised U didn't get a self inflateable one, much easier then having to inflate it yourself. BTW, the larger the cuff U use, the lower your readings will be. As far as the huge difference, oh YES, my readings at home are fine, the day I have to go to the dr. I start with getting myself all wound up hrs. before I even get there. I bring my monitor in, it is an Omron self inflateable, and it goes wacky at the office, and as soon as I get home and relax for about an hr., BP goes right back down to the 120 or even teens.
I have NO idea why I get like this at a drs. office, as I never did before, but I guess I know it is going to be high, so I freak out only to make it even worse. Told the dr. my readings at home, and he just told me I have a SEVERE case of white coat. My last dr. upped my doseage of BP meds. 6 months ago due to this, and I was getting readings way too low, so I cut back, and the readings still stayed fine. This new dr. told me to just leave well enough alone for now, as he feels I am just working myself up into a frenzy. I can get really upset at home, and yet my BP still stays pretty much within the limits, maybe I'll go to about 142/88, but send me to a dr. and it is always up in the 150's/90's. Now if I could just somehow convince myself to go to the drs. without freaking out, I just may be able to get off these BP meds. Oh well, all in good time maybe!!
Also, if U were having an inner ear problem, that will send your BP up. Years ago, when I use to get a sinus infection, my BP would always be up at the drs. office, and as soon as I was feeling better, it would go right back down to it's normal 120-124/75-78. Oh how I long for those BP readings today at a drs. office. Take care, bring the monitor with you to the drs. office, and take it from there. Best of luck....
Re: Frustrated by BP monitor-low reading than dr. office
Quote:
Originally Posted by pat52
I'm beginning to wonder if I get "white coat" syndrome before having my bp taken at the dr.s office or if I am not correctly placing the cuff on my arm. ...
Anyone have problems with the home bp monitors giving such a drastic difference in readings?
I've got two doctors. One of the doctors has a lot of old records, an old rug and old upholstered furniture in his office. At his office, my blood pressure is always high. My other doctor doesn't have carpetting in his office, has the records stored away and had leather type furniture. In his office, my blood pressure is usually very good.
My blood pressure is effected by many things that touch my skin, that I consume, or that I breathe. It has taken me many years to find out what bothers my BP.
I've stopped going to the doctor, in who's office I was, not only, getting high blood pressure readings, but also feeling worse. I am positive that it was his unhealthy office environment that was causing the higher readings. I think that some doctors do that deliberately, so that higher BP readings will lead to life long patients and more income.
