Who is right? - High & Low Blood Pressure Message Board

pa235 · 10-02-2007, 06:02 PM

My sil and I are having a disagreement on B/P readings when taken 5 or less minuets apart. She thinks the reading of the 2 nd test should be lower I think higher because the vessels have not had a chance to relax. We are talking only two tests in a row, not takng your B/p constantly.

I had taken a nursing assistant class and we were told not to retake a B/p within 5-10 minuets as a repeat, sooner will give a higher reading.

So who is right my sil or me?
Her first B/p was 145/80 and two minuets later was 129/62
Mine did the opposite went frm 121/62 to 140/ 76.
Linda

flowergirl2day · 10-02-2007, 07:40 PM

Interesting.
I'd do another reading a little later.

I just wanted to mention that the doctors I deal with don't wait the 10 or 15 minutes to take a second reading. Some countries' guidelines for treatment of hypertension now recommend to wait maybe 5 minutes or so between readings. Just long enough for the brachial artery to recover from collapsing.
My blood pressure specialist waits one minute between readings. He discards the first readings, and goes by the second ones. He also usually measures the arms prior to taking the blood pressure to determine which size cuff to use for accuracy. If a wrong size cuff is used, the reading will be overstated, or understated.

Guy1_USA · 10-03-2007, 07:40 PM

The more you can wait inbetween... the better. It will not go lower, however.

The propper way to take a BP reading is to sit and relax for 10 to 15 minutes before taking it. The wrong way is to just sit down... put on the cuff... and take it.

It's suppose to be a resting heart rate... so rest before taking it... rest real good.