Blood pressure readings.

[ETHEL103]

Hi all I had BP done at a pharmacy yesterday during a diabetes check.I haven't got it by the way.Glucose level 5 phew.My question is my BP was 145 over 11o which is really high

When I'm at home it is about 130 over 70.My pulse was also 120 so she said you had better see your gp.I am in persistant afib but at home BP seems OK.Is it difficult to get a proper reading during afib.Thankyou .

[ECG99]

Have you been prescribed any medication for the Atrial Fibrillation? If not, you should see your GP.

Home blood pressure monitors will give good readings if you follow the instructions carefully - mainly making sure that the sleeve is a snug fit on your arm before you start the machine. They may however underestimate your pulse rate, depending on how irregular it is. The best way to check your pulse in Afib is with a home ECG monitor. These days it seems that you have to do everything yourself, since actually seeing a doctor face to face is no longer easy.

Try not to worry about Afib, it’s not in common in older people and many have no symptoms and will be given an anticoagulant to help prevent a stroke and a rate control drug like a beta-blocker to slow down the heart rate a little and make it easier for the heart to do its job.

Best wishes.

[ECG99 in reply to ECG99]

that should read “…not uncommon…”

[ETHEL103 in reply to ECG99]

Thanks for your reply and yes diagnosed with afib in Jan and fully anticoagulated had 1 Cv which only worked for 2 hours.