Hospital visit.

[exDancer]

I am going into the Day Unit for a minor op next week and just know when they test my BP (as they did the last time) it will be through the roof - partly because I find the arm cuff so painful. The last time I went in for the same procedure they almost sent me home it was so high, but then someone found an old BP machine (forget the name) and they finally got a reading pleased them.

I measure my BP every morning and its around the 140s/80 which I don't think is too bad for my age (77) and write it down on a chart. I use an Omron wrist moniter which stores the readings in its memory. Do you think the hospital would accept my word if I take the monitor in with me?

[Celtic]

Providing your home BP monitor is reliable then it sounds as though, like many patients, you may be experiencing white coat syndrome at the hospital. I'm sure they will be happy to accept your own readings - a good chance to check your machine alongside their's! Hope all goes well.

[123456S]

I hope they do ........ I have big arms and also find it painful when reading is taken ...... I have foud that as they pump up breathe in a long breathe then breathe out long and slow ..focus on your breathe not the pain ....... hope this helps a little ...... good luck at the hos ..... may everything go smoothly x

[cali111]

I agree these machines can really send your bp up just because they are tight. Tell them it causes you a lot of pain and maybe they will not wrap it so tightly. The old one you spoke about maybe a sphygmomanometer which they used (and still do) they are just as good. I am in a study and I have to take three reading in a morning and again in an evening with a one minute interval, (Which I do time) it is a long time when you are waiting and the fall in the pressure is enormous.

Good luck when you go again and don`t worry your blood pressure goes up and down according to what you are and have been doing.