Blood pressure monitor

[Pat666]

Are blood pressure monitors outside of the GPs office reliable?.

My hubby bought one that wraps around your wrist,he says it gives similar readings to what he has when he visits doctor.

I used the monitor today and my blood pressure was 179/99 but I did have a sore head so was thinking migraine.

I did have a high reading of 170/90 at the doctors in December and was meant to go back in three weeks but my hubby had a heart attack so obviously I was concerned more about him.

I have been taking my blood pressure on this home monitor for over a month,its very rarely below 140/90 ,the average would be 155/90 but I do have a fair few high readings of 170/90 .

Just wondering if it might just be a rubbish monitor.

[Heythrop51]

I think you should make an appointment with your GP or nurse to check as those levels were not good. Mine is the standard arm cuff version.

[Healthyheart1]

Theres one way to find out. Don't be in denial your partner needs you well. Please look after yourself. Doctors appointment for pat666 x Sheena

[MichaelJH Heart Star]

I got a full refund on a wrist one. Over a number of comparison ones with a GP is read both high and low! They are not recommended for the over forties as arteries can tend to harden. My cuff one agreed with paramedics recently.

[Pat666 in reply to MichaelJH]

I think having read all the replies I will buy an upper arm one.

Thank you.

[lettingoffsteam]

You are better off with an upper arm monitor which can be really reliable.I got mine calibrated at the GPs.If your bp is high then please get it checked out.I'm sure you could see the practice nurse quite easily.Also, try to keep calm...bp varies a lot and it sounds as if your husband's health has caused some stress.Let us know how you get on.

[Pat666 in reply to lettingoffsteam]

I think I will invest in an upper arm monitor just to be on the safe side.

We definitely were very stressed after Hubby's heart attack.

[lettingoffsteam in reply to Pat666]

That's totally understandable.I got an Omron one from Boots for £30 but I think you can get them even cheaper.Either way, I got it calibrated at the GPs and, so far, it has served me well. Anyway, try to relax in the meantime.😀

[Dolphin14]

I hope your husband is stable post heart attack.

It's time to take care of yourself. Please go and see your md so you can get proper treatment.

[Pat666 in reply to Dolphin14]

Hubby is doing well,three stents in after heart attack but coming on well.

[Dolphin14 in reply to Pat666]

Glad to hear that

[080311]

Hi Pat666 as the others have said please go to your GP and get checked out. I know how when your husband is unwell you can put yourself on the back burner. 5 weeks after having my open heart surgery my husband had a large stroke. You have to look after yourself otherwise you will be no use to your partner.

Best wishes Pauline

[Pat666 in reply to 080311]

Thank you.

I am just trying to arrange an appointment now.

[lettingoffsteam]

Well I chose Omron as the GP uses that brand.What I meant was just take it to the surgery and they will compare it to the ones they have so you will be able to see if your machine is comparable.Strictly speaking that's not calibration I know but its reassuring.😀

[lettingoffsteam]

Hope your machine is reliable.👍

[Ianc2]

A cautionary note - If you have any sort of irregular heartbeat you may find that these machines are not much use and that you may need an old fashioned pump it up and listen machine

[LilyAnnepuppy]

Like many people have already said, we have an upper arm model which we took to our doctors office to verify accuracy. It provided the necessary peace of mind and confidence.

[Pat666]

I have finally got through to doctors, have an appointment to have my blood pressure checked on Monday.

I'm hoping its just been the recent stress of Hubby's heart attack and a wonky blood pressure monitor.

Thank you for all the lovely replies.

Will let you know how it goes on Monday.

[Hidden]

My Cardiology NP's are happy with the readouts from our one we got from Boots.

The results pretty much seem to match what they get when we pop in for one of those appointments. They trust me to ring in with BP each fortnight or the morning after I've had to have a blood test.

It's made by Braun and comes with 2 different sizes of cuff and can record the details for 2 different people.

[Pat666]

I never got to GP as we had heavy snow and then I buried my head in snow and tried not to think about it.

My readings remain mostly high unless I sit on my backside doing nothing which isn't an option.

I now have an appointment for next Thursday assuming doctors isn't shutdown due to Corona virus.