Blood Pressure Monitor

[dindy]

Hi. I am asking a question which I think deep down I already know the answer!!!

I have had a Lloyd’s digital bpm given to me as a present about 10 years ago. Apart from just a play around when I first got it, it has been sat in drawer all this time until recently.

About 3 months ago I was asked to monitor my bp for 2 weeks and give doc the results. I read they are best recalibrated every 2 years but if not used cannot see how it can deteriorate?? I have no problem buying a new one if it would give me a more accurate reading. I am not worried about storing the info on machine as I have no problem recording results in word, being retired you tend to have the time to do this. Thanks for any advice.

[Ageingfast]

Dear Dindy

Some years ago, whilst working at a GP practice, they were adamant that my BP machine should be recalibrated every year. In fact i could have the calibration done when all the practice ones were done.

But the model i purchased about two years ago, i think it was under £30, seems fine. I cant check it at the moment, but it seemed in line when i have had bp checked on hospital/gp machines.

My BP went ballistic just before christmas, and Gp asked me to do the check. I used a spreadsheet to give a neat little chart.

Not sure that any medics have the time to follow up. I heard nothing. I have also done the 24 hr thing. Again not a word.

I hope your BP is behaving and that you are feeling ok

Colin

[080311]

Hi, They do say having monitor recalibrated is something we should do, if yours as been sitting in a draw for a number of years and it had its batteries in could be a problem with the batteries leaking.

I use a cuff Ormon seems to read more or less the same as the Doctors one, had a wrist one bought as a present and that used to be way off.

Hope your BP is not being awkward 😂

Pauline

[Smarticus in reply to 080311]

Hi, the re-calibration is needed due to the expansion of the rubber tube and rubber expanding balloon (so deform (expand)over age and use). Batteries may leak after a few years but wont affect the readings of the meter (assuming they still work) For the price of them (30 pounds ish) I would just buy a new one from a chemist or similar (Omron tend to be the recommended make). Upper arm are much more accurate than wrist. Check both left and right arm and average the two if you want to be doubly sure, if you need to check again leave it 10 mins or so to let the blood vessels relax again after being squeezed. HTH

[080311 in reply to Smarticus]

Thanks Smarticus, we have been using ormon for well over 30 years, John’s blood pressure as been a bit erratic for years, ( white coat syndrome 😩) used to have the pump up one and now the automatic inflate one.My blood pressure is on the low side since my op around 100/60 to 110/65. We were laughing not long ago at the medical equipment we have now, blood pressure monitor, bought a new thermometer when the virus hit, and son sent us an oximeter again at the start of the pandemic, only thing short of a stethoscope 😂 in our 70s and have all this tech stuff, I can now manage to do video calls with our GP! I sit in the virtual waiting room drinking a cup of coffee and wait until she comes on line, better than going out in the cold😂

Hope your doing well.

Pauline

[MJOR1981]

When it comes to your health, £20/30 will buy a new one that’s perfectly good for the job..

Not sure how cheap or easy getting one recalibrated would be but I’m sure it’s not as easy as ordering off Amazon...EBay... etc and it’ll be there next day if you really splash out.

Good luck

[Palpman]

The only way the BP machine can give incorrect readings is with slow electronic drift in components.

The volume of the rubber tubes and expansion balloon makes no difference at all. They work with pressure not volume.

[Smarticus in reply to Palpman]

yes, thinking about it you are correct, the volume "might" increase but the pressure shouldnt. Good call

[Palpman in reply to Smarticus]

You can adjust the pressure to compensate for increased volume.

The only reason I know is that I worked with pressure, volume and flow and as an instrument and control engineer for 45 years.

[Smarticus in reply to Palpman]

Its about 40 years since I did hydro-dynamics at uni lol, all the best.

[dindy]

Thanks for input. No batteries kept in monitor,learnt my lesson several times over the years. I think for the sake of peace of mind I will look at a Ormon monitor. It will not break the bank and will have peaceof mind. I think the pressure & volume part went over my head but nontheless excellent info to know,thank you.

Funny but the conversation reminded of a good friend who I have not seen for a long time and I expect has passed. He worked for Radio Rentals who were tv cable in Swindon. They gradulay progressed to be called Swindon Cable and onwards to Virgin cable or something like that. He was old school and even though he was retired many years the new lads had no clue on the old technology so he used to be called in for a day or 2 to sort these problems out.

I always used to cringe when I asked him a question on anything to do with soldering,circuit boards , resistors,capacitors,etc. he would go off into jargon I did not have a clue about what he was saying,we had some good laughs,Derek & myself.

[Smarticus in reply to dindy]

Radio Rentals, wow, A blast from the past!

[Palpman in reply to dindy]

Yes. Nowadays you don't solder as the components are so tiny you exchange the circuit board rather.🙃

[Joliv61]

I think the issue is more deterioration of the cuffs over time. I recall seeing that they should be replaced every few years.