24h BP monitor

[Valentina98]

Hey everyone

Next week I'm having a 24 hours blood pressure fitted.

I'm actually a little nervous Everyone I've spoken to has said I'm not going to sleep much.

I'm sure a few of you have had one any advice? Tips? Anything to make me feel better

V x

[Yumz199725]

I agree you definitely won't sleep much I had one ages ago and it kept waking me up! Hope it all goes well x

[Digger0]

I had one in 2000 and it was fine, they altered it so it went off every 30 minutes instead of ever 15, during the night. The only problem was finding a position where I could sleep with my arm straight. If i remember correctly, that was on my back Good luck

[devonian186]

Are you able to take readings morning and evening on your own monitor first?

Knowing that you are wearing this thing may affect your levels of anxiety and artificially change the readings, so it would be useful to have your own guidelines to keep the monitor in context.

[Cavalierrubie]

You will be fine. It’s only for one night. Mine didn’t go off as much during the night as in the day. I think they set it to do that. It did keep waking me up though, so expect disturbed sleep. Apart from that it’s just a damn nuisance 😂😂😂

[nursenancy53]

I'm having one fitted next week also. The nurse has told me it will be every 30 minutes up to 10pm and every hour through the night. Good luck with yours x

[Minty_123]

I had one for 24 hours a few months ago and yes it can be annoying but it is only one day and night and it was the only way my healthcare provider would acknowledge my concerns. My heartbeat was in the 50s for about 4 weeks and in a one 5 minute visit I was deemed ok including my blood pressure! My husband then got a BP monitor which to be honest I would never have thought of using but to try it out I suddenly realised my BP was 180-190! So I phoned the surgery. Once the nurse in the treatment room read the report of their 24hr monitor I was referred to the doctor. He just said ‘I’ll give you a pill is that ok!’ End of consultation. I have been on Lercanidipine for 6 weeks but there’s been no follow up from healthcare provider. As I had told them about my slow heart rate they referred me for further tests however they received a letter back from the hospital which stated that as I had no symptoms on the 5 minute visit with them I didn’t need to be seen!

There is no joining of dots or looking at the bigger picture such as reviewing symptoms. Last year I was diagnosed and referred with carpal tunnel syndrome (awaiting app), I’d diagnosed myself using Fitbit with Bradycardia (doctor agrees) and hypertension using BP monitor. All of these symptoms can be caused my under active thyroid. Nothing has been communicated regarding this. As for blood tests it’s difficult to get someone who can actually understand the results! I’m going to ask for a copy next time as they have missed relaying information such as low white cell, cholesterol levels and thyroid! Sorry rant over, just so frustrating.

[Partner20 in reply to Minty_123]

We have always made sure we know what our blood test results are, as you can then keep a record of your progress. This used to be done with printouts from the surgery, but is now so much easier with online access. Ask at your surgery for their online patient access system, or use the NHS app. Our surgery actually insists on us using online communication for most things, not necessarily an advance, though, it has to be said.

[Minty_123 in reply to Partner20]

Thank you. Will enquire but don’t hold out much hope as I don’t believe they have such a system. Also NHS Ap doesn’t include Northern Ireland.

[Zed1063]

I had mine and did not really feel it once I got used to it being there! It does feel strange but you need to try to relax remember it is only for a short period of time.

[Alison_L]

My husband had one earlier this year and he (and I) had the best night’s sleep for years as his subconscious was overriding his sleep apnoea! During the day, he got used to it after a couple of hours. The only problem was he was expecting the monitor to come in a pouch he could hang round his neck, but it was loose so he had to stick it in his pocket. You’ll be fine, it’s only 24 hours x

[roughquest]

There’s several types - I’ve had the arm one, and I’ve had one stuck to my chest like a car remote key fob too. Both times I was too shattered to worry about it waking me!

[TriumphLover]

Wouldn’t feel worried, depends how deep you sleep. When it activates and pumps up it did wake me up, but I’m a light sleeper!

Nothing to stress about, I’m sure it’s not your first sleepless night!!!

[Jules2021]

Hi Valentina.I had one a few years back and once i found a comfy position to sleep I think it only woke me once lol

Good luck. Jules x

[Qualipop]

The problem with sleeping is it buzzes before it starts up and that can wake you up. Just don't worry about it. It's only one night. You can catch up next day

[Thecyclist]

Waste of time was my personal experience, my readings were inaccurate as I was always anticipating the cuff inflating, and that sent my BP up, I had better results with a home monitor but obviously no nocturnal readings. My consultant ignored the results.

Some get on fine with it, hopefully you will also, but yeah they are inconvenient at best, if you are a light sleeper then, be prepared for broken sleep.

[GCWhits]

Mine was set to go off every hour through the night, so it was very disruptive to sleep but I don't think there's any way round that . I've had a few done and after covid my gp surgery removed all the straps from the monitor, which was very annoying. I didn't have clothes with big enough pockets to hold the blooming thing!

[TedSpaniel]

I had one for 24hrs. It was difficult to get comfy in bed, then it kept waking me up. To top the lot it started alerting as the batteries were low !

[Hidden]

I had one last year. Its not too bad. I have to admit I did sleep in spare bed room and made sure I kept the arm free. Tried not to lay on it. But it was fine. I did take holiday though. But the only issue is if it takes a reading and it does not see it efficiently it pumps up again. And it can get quite tight until it is happy. But they are fine. I would like to have another one just to see how my medication has improved my blood pressure. But they need the readings to work out the averages of top and bottom figures.