Blood Pressure machine.

[Razor1967]

Can anyone recommend a decent blood pressure machine. I have been having episodes of dizziness and my fitness watch has recorded bpms of 47 to 55 during the night. Anyway went to the doctors and blood tests are all normal and my blood pressure was normal. Listened to my heart and chest, all good. He was not concerned about my heart rate at rest but is not sure why I am having the dizzy spells and recommended I keep a diary of when I have the episodes and invest in a blood pressure machine, a sleeve one that slips on your arm , he says they cost about £20 to £30. I am sure some of you hearties have one and could anyone make a recommendation on one and where to get it (ie) Amazon etc. Many thanks.

[MichaelJH Heart Star]

I use an Omron M3 which is slightly more expensive. The fact the district nurses use them as did a paramedic on one occasion is reassuring. Prices vary so you need to shop around. I got mine in Boots as same price as Amazon (2019).

[Hidden]

I bought this Boots own label machine last year, it was about £30.00It's made by Omron, very happy with it.

Monitor

[jeanjeannie50 in reply to Hidden]

The above machine looks like the one I bought from Boots, have had it years and very accurate, would recommend for you Razor1967

[Razor1967]

Thanks for the recommendations. I would have bought it until the reviews mentioned the cuff size only went up to 32cm. In the end I opted for a new Salter BPA9201 reduced from £35 to £24 on ebay. It has 60 memories, irregular heartbeat and the cuff size goes up to 42cm. On sale at most other places for over £30. Also I have Salter scales which work well so hopefully will turn out to be a good purchase. Thanks for your replies.

[Raznic]

I personally use an Omron M4. Had it a long time and it's always reliable. I often have to take my readings to the doctor and was recommended an Omron machine.

[Scho1]

Hi, I've just bought an omron that takes three readings in succession and averages it out. It also monitors afib etc and downloads to your phone or computer which I can then send to my cardiologist and GP. It was quite expensive at £100 from argos but is very good.

[BlueSkyGrey]

I was recommended OMRON X2 Basic by my GP. It was around £30 in Amazon.

[Will23_02]

I bought it recently from Amazon. It is A &D make and model UA-611. it was about £14.

[DaveSpice]

Be careful how you use a BP monitor as your mood/condition/reaction to the expected reading can effect the reading itself. A second reading, if you are unhappy with the first will make that worse. Many factors effect you BP and few are seroius.

I think there are too many gizmos out there and I now use mine very sparingly now.

[Pinkysparkly]

I too bought the same Omron from Amazon to keep an eye on my blood pressure as it runs on both sides of my family. Hope you can keep an eye on your BP. Has your GP checked your ears? Make sure it’s not vertigo

[Razor1967 in reply to Pinkysparkly]

Yeah I mentioned could it be an ear infection/vertigo. He said no because you see flashing lights with vertigo. He also said don't think it is low blood pressure as don't feel as bad when I lie down. Bit of a mystery although last day or do have felt a lot better, so whatever it is/was remains a mystery.

[Franky17]

Hi I got my one from Lidl go £20 you can take it with you on the next trip to the doctors and compare the readings from there machine if you ask nicely but all ways keep some spare batterys they do seem to wear them out.

[richard_jw]

I had a heart attack 18 months ago.Recently I bought a Fitbit, and I have noticed that my heart rate in the night does drop in my case to 55 or thereabouts. I suspect this is pretty normal. BTW the fitbit records pretty much the same pulse rate as the cheap BP machine I bought from Lloyds years ago so I suspect it's not worth paying a lot for such a machine.

I also had an Omron M something, but it went wrong a few months ago and I have not replaced it.

Does your smartwatch record "normal" heart rate during the day, or better what's the heart rate during a dizzy spell?

When you get these periods of dizziness, does anything seem to cause them? For instance standing up quickly. That might point to Orthostatic hypotension

Dizziness can be caused by problems in the ear, did the doctor consider this?

[Razor1967 in reply to richard_jw]

Yes I have it set to record every 30 minutes and I can do ad hoc ones too. I don't think it is blood pressure as the dizziness startd once up and about in the mornings and afternoons. The bpm were in the normal range. I still have some numbness in my lips but the dizziness thankfully has almost gone today and most of yesterday. My heart rate during the night ranged from 53 to 84. However at midday today whilst sat on the sofa it was 49. Just got back from taking the dogs for a 2 mile walk and it is 109. Perhaps it was not blood pressure. No, doctor checking eyes and ears. No pressure build up and ears OK. The Salter machine I am buying only cost £24 which will be useful for my peace of mind and also for the rest of the family to use.

[Hidden]

Have you considered posture?

I ask because I have had dizzy spells myself, always when eating a meal.

I had got into a bad habit of slouching in an armchair with a food tray on my lap and watching the telly at the same time.

I read somewhere about a condition called gastrocardiac syndrome, where the stomach can push against the heart. There was some mention of the vagus nerve too.

So recently I have adopted an upright position when eating anything and, so far, I have not had any dizzy spells.

[Razor1967]

Perhaps you have something there. I do tend to lounge on the sofa with my feet up too much, so my wife tells me 😄. As I am tall, I do tend to slouch forward too. I also mentioned to the doctor about a pressure like build up in the centre of my chest, which I was worried about. It feels like I have swallowed a big mouthful of air and is trapped at the top of my stomach/lower chest. He thought it might be acid build up and has prescribed some Peptac liquid which I waiting for Lloyd's direct to send. I obviously need to spend more time walking the dogs and less time on my backside I think. 😆😆

[Bingo88]

Yes if you're able to get out and about Argos sell them for around £20 the starting price. Just take batteries that last ages. And does the job. Take care and hope everything is OK. Brian

[Achingheart]

[2022] AILE Blood Pressure Monitors for Home Use, Blood Pressure... £14.74

Just got this one and impressed. Nice big cuff and easy to use!