I have a Kardia 6L and an Omron BP monitor. I have complete faith in the Kardia, but cannot trust the BP readings on the Omron whilst in AF.
Just now I checked on Kardia and heart rate was 141. On my BP monitor straight after heart rate was 79 and BP 99/80.
I want to take Bisoprolol which I have as a PIP, to slow my rate down, but can’t risk lowering my BP, not knowing what it is. I live alone and I believe my BP drops anyway when in AF.
Having looked at the options, I think the only really accurate monitor when in AF is the old type used with a stethoscope. No good on my own because I don’t have three hands.
Any ideas would be appreciated as this is my second episode in 6 days.
Written by
Mrsvemb
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
I used to a fan of moniters. Not anymore due to very crazy readings. Check out the pinned post at the top of page - takes a bit of practice but you'll know your true HR.
Paul
Edit - it's worth asking a friend to check every now and then. Try and relax when it's done and sit still for a minute before you take it.
Thanks for the reply Paul. It’s not my HR that I am concerned about. Kardia gives me that and I believe it to be accurate.It’s my BP that I need to check as Bisoprolol will not only lower my HR but my BP as well.
I'm not sure which to suggest - others may comment and suggest a good one for you. Some years ago I bought one but the reading for BP was well off. I rember it well as I headed off to the doc's there and then. The suggestion was that I would been better off buying 20 fags and a bottle of whiskey for the money I spent on it ! It was that bad.
Val,I have always been advised that Bisoprolol is a HR control med. However, it has some properties which make it useful for BP too. However it is not specifically a BP med. I use Omron Evolve for measuring my BP. Matter of interest, when first diagnosed one of the key factors was the fall in BP. Down from 136/80 ish down to 76/50, in just a few hours.
Hi John, my cardiologist warned me that Bisoprolol will drop my BP as well. I used to take it twice daily until I objected to the side effects and changed to Nebivolol. It seems to play a dual role. I know my BP drops when in AF, that is why I would like to be able to get an accurate reading.Val
Bisoprolol, as far as I can see has no impact at all on my BP whereas Ramipril and Felodopine certainly do. But then again - Ramipril and Felodopine are more BP specific meds.
I am on Felodopine too. I never take it when I am in AF and sometimes don’t need to restart for a day or two after. My cardiologist is aware and trusts me to be sensible.
One question John, do you trust the readings of the Omron Evolve when you are in AF? My Omron is accurate when in NSR, but useless when in AF. Quite often it gives me an error code because it just cannot get a reading. Val
The Evolve is endorsed by NICE as was my earlier BP monitor, the Microlife Watch BP Home device. It will signal when in AF.
Do I trust the readings - well yes, BECAUSE it's all I have. Try getting an appointment with your GP for a BP test. Try getting an appointment with your GP ..... for that matter ! All ya get is a telephone appointment.
As I say, its all I have. Kardia won't give me a BP reading.
At the end of the day if its only a HR ya want why not check it against taking your own pulse. You can do that any time, in or out of AF. Finger on the pulse.
Getting an appointment with GP for a BP test 🤣🤣🤣🤣. No chance. The GP’s in our area don’t do BP checks, you have to go to the local pharmacy. They only have digital machines anyway.My Omron is one that was marketed by Boots. It has irregular heartbeat detection.
I have had it validated for accuracy with my surgery, but that was when I was in NSR.
The Kardia is fine for my heart rate and of course ecg.
Blood pressure monitors are not designed to produce valid readings when you are in AF. As the heart is not pumping effectively during AF, blood pressure will usually fall during an episode. Omron are used by my GP surgery and I was told they produce the best monitors.
Thanks Bob, although I know how to use the old sphygmomanometer, it is not possible to take your own BP with them. The arm with the cuff on has to be still. You then need to pump up the cuff and hold the stethoscope to your arm. I need 3 arms 🤣.
This an example I found on searching but I just use ordinary one & tuck it under the cuff where the tube comes out.medisave.co.uk/boso-bs90-se...
Back in 2014 my cardiologist used one on me, he said he wasn’t supposed to due to the mercury content…….
As you doubtless know Mrsvemb, Omron are the NHS choice for digital machines. Many doctors still don't trust in their readings and stick with a manual sphygmomanometer. As far as I'm aware, none of the digital machines are suitable for use when you are in AF and will give false readings. If you have paroxysmal AF it might be better just not to take your BP while in arrhythmia.
Thanks for your response. In the ideal world I wouldn’t take my BP when in AF, but sometimes when in AF I cannot stay upright because I am likely to pass out. Once I lay down I am ok. This suggests that my BP has dropped too low.I have Bisoprolol as a PIP to slow the rate down, but I am aware that Bisoprolol can also lower BP. My cardiologist warned me to be careful about that.
If I could check my BP then I would know if I can take Bisoprolol. I am very careful because I am a widow and live alone. I need to get drinks and food and also up and down to the loo when in AF.
Many machines BP machines will detect arrhythmias by showing a warning sign on the display but I don’t think that necessarily means that the readings are accurate when in AF. I believe this to be the case with Omron devices but there are new developments all the time…….
I agree. My Omron indicates irregular heartbeat and is perfectly accurate for both BP and heart rate when in NSR. When in AF, yes it indicates the irregular heart rate, but both BP and heart rate readings are useless.I am looking at a self test manual Sphygmomanometer, thanks to a post from Kkatz above.
I am in Permenent AF and use a Omron M6 Comfort. It compares very well with my doctor's mercury gauge and stethoscope. It also informs me when in AF which is always lol. I have checked my HR against my wrist pulse and again it compares favourably. So for me I am quite satisfied with the monitor. Roy
Very interesting article Steve. Thank you for that. Reading that coupled with a recommendation for a Boso BS90 Self Test Sphygmomanometer, I think that is the way forward for me. I already have. Kardia 6L. Val
Good Morning, their are many devices available to take both HR and BP readings, the AliveCor is recognised by NICE as accurate and the data is welcomed by many HCP's. As you live alone, I would not hesitate to contact the GP surgery and explain your concerns to them, alternatively 111 also have trained medical advisors to speak to. I hope you are feeling a little more reassured by all the helpful advice already offered by the members?
I didn’t realise AF impacted electronic BP monitors so much. Your post has prompted me to buy a manual BP kit. £18 off Amazon I am persistent AF and have a Braun BP monitor but it produced a result way off (high) from the manual method when I took it to the GP’s to compare. I put it down to inaccuracy of the monitor but now I realise it might just be the AF throwing it off.
I have just come off bisoprolol due to low BP and dizziness after a stent operation. Jury is still out on that one, dizziness gone but HR well up.
I have usede Omron for many years and get accurate results. Verify it at the doctors office at least once a year. Omron seems to be the best per reviews.
As mentioned above, difficult to get an accurate heart reading with AF. You may want to google the issue as there are recommended methods like taking the measurement at least 3 times in a row, waiting for 30 secs and 1 minute between takes.
I downloaded a free HR monitor for my iphone. Like the HR monitor at the doctor's office, it records heart beats and gives you an average.
I have the same situation. My Omron monitor said HR 65, Kardia said 98. I checked my pulse and it was 66, so Omron is correct. But Kardia calculates the HR differently. I contacted them and they gave me an explanation which I cannot remember now. Why don't you contact them for that explanation
Thanks for your reply. When I am in NSR heart rate is the same on my Omron as it is on Kardia. It only differs when I am in AF. In which case Kardia is the correct one.
LifeSource UA 767. Not sure if it's the current model, had it for years and works just fine.I've taken it to the Dr's office to compare...spot on always.
Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.
Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.
How common is it for AF to cause a faint?
Slow AF, raised BP
AF or not AF that, is the question
