bp monitors - High & Low Blood Pressure Message Board

anneh · 09-28-2006, 03:00 PM

Hi, just curious which monitors you all find best. I had an Omron for several years and it was working fine but to be safe I bought a new one a few months ago but didn't really start using it regularly until this week. Thought a miracle had happened and that I had low blood pressure

but then realised that was not possible to went out today and bought another (exact same model HEM 712C) altho it looks abit different. The one today says Intellisense on it and the previous one says digital (they are both auto inflate arm cuff). I had my husband try the new one vs previous one and his systolic bp was 10mmHG higher than on the previous one

Now I am really mad because how is one supposed to rely on any of these machines

I can't take it to the Dr office and compare their reading to my machine because I hve a phobia about them taking it and systolic goes up to 160 in their office (altho diastolic remains 70) and I refuse to let them take it anymore which is why I wanted to get accurate readings at home.
anneh

Canyondweller · 09-28-2006, 03:17 PM

This is really puzzling to me also. I have one where the cuff is on the wrist but the machine itself sits on the counter. I have been going thru high BP spikes and my drs as well as the ER and paramedica look very suspiciously at all home monitors. You can almost hear them sneer when they say "this is what she said it was on her home monitor" This is the one I was told to get a long time ago then all 4 of my Drs said don't get the one that goes on the wrist. Gee thanks, you guys told me that was the one to get one time. Anyway, the cardiologist said if you are going to use the wrist one you MUST hold it over the heart with your other arm supporting it. I know the cuff is always supposed to be heart high. Other than that I am not much help. Frankly I don't always trust the doctors office either.

pulltab · 09-28-2006, 03:20 PM

I feel your frustration on this topic. I am not sure if I can believe that my at home moniter is truly accurate.

WYSIWYG · 09-28-2006, 03:20 PM

I have the fiingerstyle. Calibrated when new, in doc's office. It may not be perfect but it's consistent-- up is up and down is down. I'll recalibrate tomorrow with new doc.

~S~

Lenin · 09-29-2006, 05:01 AM

anneh,

Take it into the doctor's office a couple times. As long as BOTH readings are 160, at least you have your machine calibrated. It's what I did in spite of both of us getting a 165 systolic reading...at least we BOTH read the white coat reading accurately.

I FINALLY tossed my old LUMISCOPE after dropping it once too often and irretrievably damaging the LCD readout plate...the velcro on the cuff was getting dreary too. I seved me for nearly a decade and I used it daily...good enough.
I replaced it with a new LUMISCOPE Model 1130 which I like a lot ($39.95 on sale at Duane Reade.) It also has a 90 reading playback so I can just hand it to my doctor and he can play them back for himself if he doesn't believe my written record

!

I noticed Rite-Aide was selling an OMRON for $29.95 this week, but they are the bulb-inflate models and I have grown used to the relaxing hum of MOTORIZED inflation...talk about lazy. Actually I've like the hands free approach which I think is more relaxing....I think pumpiing might actually raise BP a bit.