questions on home monitering

[stars13]

I havebeen reading the posts on home monitering and have learned alot, but i'm still confused on a few points.

1.. aren't digital readouts lower then manual ones and so are they still reliable.

2. Lennin , you suggested to take 3 readings and average them out which makes sense because mine too fluctuate . But how long in between each reading and do you remove the cuff completely and start from scratch each time?

Right now i have borrowed my neighbors but plan on buying a omron this week. I'm so happy i have found this site, i've been reading it for a month or so and have found such help by reading all of your experiences.

[zuzu8]

1.. aren't digital readouts lower then manual ones and so are they still reliable.

In my opinion the new generation of home monitors are as reliable as a doc's old "sphig', and the readings can be even more accurate at home, since you are taking the nurse/doc's possibly faulty HEARING out of the picture, plus the fact that there are a LOT of doctors who have forgotten how to take BP properly. They don't support your arm, they allow your feet to dangle off the table, they take it immediatly upon your arrival (not allowing a 'rest" period) etc etc.

2. Lennin , you suggested to take 3 readings and average them out which makes sense because mine too fluctuate . But how long in between each reading and do you remove the cuff completely and start from scratch each time?[

I myself take 3 readings with a 2 minute interval between each. I take 3 readings but throw out the first and only average the last two. Lenin's approach is fine too..averaging all 3 readings.

No. You don't remove the cuff after deflation. Just sit there and relax!

zuzu xx

[stars13]

Thank you zuzu for the answers to my questions. About a year ago i bought a welby automatic monitor. everytime i took it i got a different reading. Not knowing how normal that was , i drove myself crazy taking it everytime i thought of it, trying to get a stable number. Eventually i just threw it away thinking there was something wrong with it.

Using your method my bp is 127/72. that's wonderful . It was 190/109 last monday at drs. I'm still not sure why, waiting for bloodwork.

I'm on benicar hct and dynacirc. I also take lescol xl which i hate. I stopped taking it on monday evening, i was haveing such foot, knee and back pains. the pain has nearly gone completely away, back still hurts a little. Might start taking it again tonight to see if the pain returns in a few days. I've had trouble with lipitor, pravachol and another one i can't remember. I wish i could find one that works for me.

but again, thanks for your help.

[Lenin]

stars,

No, I DON'T average the three readings; I think I do one better. I TAKE three readings and record on scrap paper: that gives me 3 systolic and 3 diastolic numbers. I discard the highest AND lowest and record the middle value in the SACRED book that goes toward my long range planning.
Thus, if I have a 155/90....135/82....137/80, I will discard 4 numbers and save only the 137 and the 82 and record 137/82 (even though that precise combo never occured in one reading.)

That way the errant 155 is not counted at ALL, not even in an average. Same goes for any errant super LOW reading.