Any recommendations for a BP monitor that is accurate when in AF.

[Mrsvemb]

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.

[Paulbounce]

Hi Mrs V.

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.

[Mrsvemb in reply to Paulbounce]

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.

Val

[Paulbounce in reply to Mrsvemb]

Hi Val.

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.

I'm sure others will offer some good suggestions.

Enjoy your day.

Paul

[Hidden in reply to Mrsvemb]

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.

John

[Mrsvemb in reply to Hidden]

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

[Hidden in reply to Mrsvemb]

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.

John

[Mrsvemb in reply to Hidden]

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.

[Mrsvemb in reply to Hidden]

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

[Hidden in reply to Mrsvemb]

Hi 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.

What Omron device do you use Val ?

John

[Mrsvemb in reply to Hidden]

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.

Val

[Hidden in reply to Mrsvemb]

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.

[kalgs in reply to Paulbounce]

You won’t get an accurate reading from any monitor whilst in AF. However, taking BP correctly is important

No food or coffee, exercise etc about 30 minutes before reading

Sit for 5 minutes before 1st reading

Cuff level with heart . Sit upright. Don’t talk

2 more readings 1 minute apart

Ignore 1st reading and average readings 2 and 3

[BobD Volunteer]

Few automatic machines are acurate if you have AF. The old fashioned way with stethoscope works though.

[Mrsvemb in reply to BobD]

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 🤣.

[Hidden in reply to Mrsvemb]

Well done for being able to spell it, I can’t even pronounce it !! 😂

[Mrsvemb in reply to Hidden]

🤣 many years ago I did some nursing training and was trained to use one of these

[kkatz in reply to Mrsvemb]

I manage ok.use one that has a stethoscope head in the cuff or tuck it under the cuff.

[Mrsvemb in reply to kkatz]

Thank you. That’s interesting. Haven’t seen that one. What make/model is it please?

[kkatz in reply to Mrsvemb]

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...

[Hidden]

Back in 2014 my cardiologist used one on me, he said he wasn’t supposed to due to the mercury content…….

[Hidden]

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.

[Mrsvemb in reply to Hidden]

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.

[Buffafly]

What is your HR in AF?

[Mrsvemb in reply to Buffafly]

It varies from 120 to 150. Today it was 150 most of the time. I have known it to go to 180, but it doesn’t seem to go that high now.

[KentAndrew]

Hi Mrsvemb,I have a Cardio Blood Pressure machine which I bought from Lloyds Pharmacy.

This machine specifically works with AFib and records it on the display.

Hope this helps.

[Hidden in reply to KentAndrew]

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…….

[Mrsvemb in reply to Hidden]

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.

[RoyM]

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

[Ppiman]

I read this study a while back that showed a manual device was more accurate than an automated one.

nature.com/articles/s41371-...

Steve

[Mrsvemb in reply to Ppiman]

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

[TracyAdmin Partner]

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?

[Goosebumps]

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.

[Mrsvemb in reply to Goosebumps]

Yes Electronic monitors are useless when in AF. I am looking at a manual self test Sphygmomanometer.

I hope that you get your medication sorted out.

[mav7]

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.

[Palpman]

We had a manual BP device at first but I had to get my wife to help when taking mine.

Unfortunately her hearing was worse than mine and got different readings so we opted for an electronic one.

[alfrae13]

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

[Mrsvemb in reply to alfrae13]

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.

[beach_bum]

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.