Blood pressure

[1964-karina]

I know this is a bit off topic but my blood pressure is 90/70 is that low enough to worry about? Just got back from doctor for a review, usual been on steroids far too long (3 years down to 5.5) blah blah then when I asked if she could take blood pressure she said we only have a 10 minute slot and they have a blood pressure machine in a little room for patients to take their own!

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Once upon a time it was a basic first thing to be done check wasn't it! During which time they assessed other things too. Could hear the heart rhythm, strength of pulse ... No idea when my GP last checked my BP either. But if you were there for a review - I think it is fair to expect them to check BP since pred is supposed to raise BP!

Do you feel OK? Do you feel dizzy? At any time, especially when standing? Fatigued? (Well, you do have PMR I assume!) Still peeing properly?

That is about what my husband has permanently - the docs don't seem to worry at that stage. However - if you are on any medication to manage your BP, maybe it could do with tweaking.

[SnazzyD in reply to PMRpro]

Drove me mad as a nurse as I was missing out on all that info. Also, just seeing someone’s skin could yield good intel. How many layers and cleanliness of clothes being peeled off to do it, can tell you something. I also refused to use the electronic one exclusively because many people would get a rip roaring hypertension from the pain of the cuff being pumped up so hard. Also, do it 3 times and try different arms. They give me bruises as well. 90/70 was a common reading for many but if it is new for you it needs to be looked at.

Right, that’s it for my latest round of tub thumping.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to SnazzyD]

My daughter always did bedbaths when a ward nurse. Her colleagues who also had degrees couldn't understand why she didn't leave it to the healthcare assistants. No wonder patients develop pressure sores or a variety of other nasties when the qualified nurse who should know what something means is too lazy to have a good look ...

I will thump your tub with you!

[SnazzyD in reply to PMRpro]

Oh the demise of the bed bath done by senior nurses was a huge loss. It saved me so much time because I could in one fell swoop do a top to toe examination and get some one to one with the patient which didn’t involve a sodding clipboard.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to SnazzyD]

Her point exactly!! I think every real nurse detests the clipboard - only posers like them

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to SnazzyD]

Or a handheld computer screen nowadays!

[Hidden in reply to SnazzyD]

And as a non-medic patient... The nurses I remember are the one who took me to the bath and the one who washed my hair. Can't remember any others.

[Nuff1 in reply to SnazzyD]

Something to be said for the oldstyle on-the -ward training. I was an OT, qualified 1970 many years later the degree optioncame along but I declined as an umpteen word disertation wouldn help in working out best situation for a downstairs loo in a stonebuilt farmhouse on a rocky hillside with a septic tank drainage.

The practical aspects of nursing have fallen by the wayside.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Hi,

Low is usually quoted below 90/60 so you are just above - within the normal range 90/60 to 120/80.

Most medical people would be happy with those readings, but if it’s low for you - if you know what your ‘normal’ is- or if you are feeling dizzy or nauseous then it might need following up.

Mine always goes quite low following surgery (as is normal) and you keep being told - drink, drink, drink.

You can buy a home blood pressure monitor from any pharmacy - not very expensive - if you feel keeping a track of it would help.

[Blearyeyed]

Your higher number , or systolic , is borderline low but if you check the charts they GP will still class this as being in a healthy low normal range.

With figures like these it's important to keep an eye on your overall symptoms as although it is in "normal" range , your pulse pressure ( or difference between your high and low readings is also narrower ) . One reading in a GP surgery if this sort isn't really enough to give you an idea if this is a pattern or just a one off affected by being in a surgery situation.

Keep an eye out for dizziness especially on getting up after sitting or lying down for some time , increased headaches, quick changes in temperature and sudden sweating or flushing of your skin for no apparent reason. Many of these symptoms get worse at night if they are caused by your BP because your blood pressure naturally lowers more to aid you in sleep.

If symptoms persist or grow , it is worth having your BP and your heart rate readings taking again at the surgery and keep note of the numbers. If you are concerned and want to be able to keep track of whether your symptoms are being caused by BP you can get a home test kit from a NHS recommended selection listed on the internet , as long as you don't over test yourself or get anxious by doing this , as this would affect your results anyway.

In the meantime it may help to increase your fluid intake and minerals , especially Magnesium and potassium , using a standard full complex vitamin and mineral supplement , as these Nutritional things can have a big impact on your blood pressure , especially when readings are low.

[1964-karina]

Thankyou all for your replies, thinking about buying a home machine to monitor it. You are all great,I feel more reassured by you than any of the gp’s at our surgery! 🥰

[CT-5012 in reply to 1964-karina]

Our GP surgery will loan a BP monitor, worth asking.

[Constance13 in reply to 1964-karina]

They really are relatively cheap.

I was prescribed one over 40 years ago when my BP was very high (230/162). After about five years I bought a new one and I have always kept one at home.

[tangocharlie]

I bought an Omron BP monitor in Argos a few years ago, only about £20. Thught it would be useful as it's always the first thing doctors check if you go in saying you don't feel well!

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to tangocharlie]

And you get to know “your norm” - mine is higher in the morning and reduces during the day whereas for most people it goes up as the day goes on. Nothing wrong, been checked!

But the discussions I’ve had with various people during the years has been amusing!

[Constance13 in reply to DorsetLady]

My BP lowered when I got PMR (the Pred I suppose). PMRpro has said above that most people's BP goes up! This illness is a VERY peculiar pest - we are all soooo different.

[Hidden in reply to tangocharlie]

Mine is much higher at the Dr's or HOSP. But because the large cuff in rheumy clinic is rubbish they have to do it the old fashioned way. And my BP lower because the machine doesn't squish my arm. I am one at home and its never as high as at docs.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Hidden]

White coat syndrome! And you’re not as relaxed as you are at home!

[Rosbud]

Oh they do that at our practice, you just pop in and do it yourself, then tell reception to log it on your notes x

[PMRCanada]

I always get my bp checked at my 3-month appointment with my GP (in part because I used to have hypertension and took medications...none now since Aug/19 due to weight loss). It’s always higher in the doctors office.

I take mine the odd time at our local pharmacy using the provided machine, but GP advised getting 3 readings.

[S4ndy]

I had a pre-op assessment on Monday. The HCA who took my height and weight took my blood pressure using the automatic machine. I asked her to use a large cuff as I have really huge upper arms. She said it was a large but when she put it on I could see it wasn't. I let her continue as I knew it wouldn't work. It didn't instead it was the most painful experience I have had since my kidney stone. She insisted on trying again and it didn't work by which time tears of pain were rolling down my cheeks. She then finally tried another cuff, a but larger but still not really big like my GP uses. I said she would need to use the other arm as by then small bruises were appearing on my arm. She tried and got a reading of 190/99 which is no where near my usual bp! So she wrote this in the form and put that I was unable to tolerate machine.

When I got in to see the trained nurse she looked me up and down and said this can't be right, your height is 6'4" ! I explained about the bp results. So we went through the pre-op assessment questionnaire and at the end she weighed and measure me and did the bp again using an extra large cuff. She recorded 175/80. This was still higher than normal. Anxiety had kicked in by then so she asked me to keep a record at home as I have a machine at home.

I have done so and my resting bp is 155/80 which is on the high side of normal which it always has been. I am dreading going in for the tooth extraction. Do they not train nurses and doctors to use a sphygmomanometer any more! I havent a date yet so I can continue to monitor my bp at home and keep a record for the anaesthesiologist. The bruises are beginning to turn yellow now!

[1964-karina in reply to S4ndy]

😧that’s terrible, have you thought about complaining? Hope your feeling a bit better today

[S4ndy]

Yes I am feeling better today. My blood pressure back to normal. I made my feelings known to the Nurse who assured me she would speak to the HCA. The Nurse was quick to realise I had a background in healthcare. I am due to be admitted in the next few weeks so I will be asking for them to use a manual bp device x