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measuring blood pressure at home

Henry0ReillyHenry0Reilly Member Posts: 10,892 ✭✭✭
edited August 2017 in General Discussion
I was given a device that goes over the wrist but the darn thing seems to have quite a bit of variation from one arm to the other taken back to back.

I'm hoping to avoid using medication and lower my risk through better diet, more exercise, getting down to 125% of my boot camp weight (which means losing 50 #)and stopping smoking (again) but I am trying to establish a baseline to see how I'm progressing.
I used to recruit for the NRA until they sold us down the river (again!) in Heller v. DC. See my auctions (if any) under username henryreilly

Comments

  • SCOUT5SCOUT5 Member Posts: 16,181 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Henry, a good electronic b/p cuff is not that expensive. I bought one a local pharmacy for about $70, it works as well as what I have here at the hospital. Once you have it adjusted to your arm you should be able to just slide it off and on.

    Log your pressures and heart rate 3x a day, morning, mid day and night. Keep them logged in 3 separate columns so it is easy to see the trends. Don't take your pressure over and over, there is no need. If you get a reading that seems odd repeat that.

    Take your log with you when you see your doctor.
  • Okie MomOkie Mom Member Posts: 1,234 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Make sure you have been sitting for a couple of minutes before taking your blood pressure. And like SCOUT5 said, take it 3 times a day about the same time each day.
  • grumpygygrumpygy Member Posts: 48,464 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    If the Batteries get weak they will have BP's all over the place. Do not use the batteries that come with it either cause You have no Idea how old they are . Get a fresh set and try it out.

    But I too have different reading from Left and right and they stay Constant. My Doc had me checked and its not enough to worry about.
  • Rocky RaabRocky Raab Member Posts: 14,497 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    The wrist ones are notoriously variable. Far better to use a cuff model. Mine is an Omron 3 Series, which cost me under $50 at Walmart.

    I check my BP about every two weeks. I always check it twice, because the second one is almost always lower. That "cuff anxiety" thing lessens over time. When I first started (or in the Dr office) it is something like 150/90. At home, I feel less anxiety about the test, and my readings go from 144/83 to 122/76.
    I may be a bit crazy - but I didn't drive myself.
  • mogley98mogley98 Member Posts: 18,291 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Also while it probably isn't relevant in your case I know sometimes they advise taking BP on either leg or arm to compare. A blockage of some sort would show different readings.
    Why don't we go to school and work on the weekends and take the week off!
  • reload999reload999 Member Posts: 3,080 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by Rocky Raab
    The wrist ones are notoriously variable....


    ^^ This ^^

    Had a Dr. office that used one. My BP was always way higher there than anywhere else.
  • Smitty500magSmitty500mag Member Posts: 13,623 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    My doctor checked my blood pressure and said it was high. I told him you should have checked it before I sit in the waiting room for over an hour and a half because it was perfectly normal then. [:(!]
  • pwilliepwillie Member Posts: 20,253 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by Smitty500mag
    My doctor checked my blood pressure and said it was high. I told him you should have checked it before I sit in the waiting room for over an hour and a half because it was perfectly normal then. [:(!]

    ...you got "White Coat Pressure".....LOL!
  • 320090T320090T Member Posts: 2,715 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Mine goes up when the hot nurse takes it, really!
  • c133c133 Member Posts: 608 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Uncross your legs and have both feet flat on the floor. Close your eyes, relax and think calming thoughts..... DO NOT TALK WHILE TAKING BP!!!!!
  • wpageabcwpageabc Member Posts: 8,760 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    <This
    "What is truth?'
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