Libre Sensors And Blood Pressure Monitors?

[TheClockworkDodo]

Libre users - how do you check your blood pressure if you have a sensor on your left arm?! My heart is jumping and my pulse is doing funny things (this happens from time to time, not usually anything to worry about, but I want to check, especially as I have a nasty cough at the moment) and I'm halfway through a sensor. I always put sensors on my left arm because I sleep on my right.

Can I use blood pressure monitor on right arm or will that not give an accurate reading? Can I use it over sensor on left arm, or will that damage the sensor, or effect the reading, or hurt my arm?! Has anyone any experience of either of these?

 

[trophywench]

LOL - I think you'll find that your right hand fingertips need just as much blood as your left hand ones, Juliet. Thus using that logic thing - it would seem that each arm needs the same pressure of blood flow!

Either arm is fine.

 

[TheClockworkDodo]

Thanks Jenny, I wondered if the fact that they normally use the left arm was because the heart is on the left or something - couldn't think of any reason for it otherwise, but I've never had a medical professional use my right arm!

 

[TheClockworkDodo]

Hmmm, assuming your logic is correct, my heart jumping and pulse racing equates to blood pressure of 119/66, pulse 67. Which is about what I'd usually expect to see, the 119 is slightly on the high side of my normal.

 

[Robin]

Thanks Jenny, I wondered if the fact that they normally use the left arm was because the heart is on the left or something - couldn't think of any reason for it otherwise, but I've never had a medical professional use my right arm!

My GP always uses my right arm, because the way her desk is configured, that’s the most convenient way round.

 

[Sally71]

When my daughter has her 3 month check we jut ask them to use whichever arm hasn't got the sensor on. One nurse did complain that they would rather use the right arm, one is the “outgoing” arm and one is the “returning” arm - which sounds daft but I guess the blood flows a particular way round the body and one arm might be before the other - however it's unlikely to make any difference unless you have specific heart problems. So a cardiac team might be fussy about which arm you use but just for a general blood pressure check it probably doesn't matter.

(Unless that particular nurse didn't know what she was talking about of course, but I’ve no reason to doubt her)

 

[mikeyB]

I check my BP regularly, and just avoid the arm with the sensor on. It’s sensor change day today, so I’ll have the brief opportunity to have the pick of either🙂

In hospital, they just used the arm that didn’t have a drip in, and thereafter didn’t use my left arm with the sensor. It didn’t seem to make no never mind.

 

[TheClockworkDodo]

Thank you all, that's very useful to know!

Blood pressure and pulse seem fine so whatever's making my heart do funny jumping things, it's not that. It may be related to this wretched cough, which I've had for about two months (currently on third week of antibiotics, supposed to go back to GP if it doesn't clear up soon). It was clearing up nicely until I rescued an underweight juvenile hedgehog at the beginning of the week and couldn't find a sanctuary which would take it for nearly 24 hours - then it came back with a vengeance, so I guess I'm allergic to hedgehogs.

I've already had to postpone a dental appointment once, likely to have to do it again at this rate

 

[grovesy]

I did mine on the arm I had my sensor on the other week the cuff did not go near the sensor.

 

[Kaylz]

mines is taken on whatever arm the nurses desk is on lol but I did ask she do it the opposite arm to my sensor last time, they have trouble with my arms being so slim though lol xx

 

[TheClockworkDodo]

Thank you both - yes, I have the same problem, @Kaylz - do you have trouble applying the sensors too? My arms are quite bony, and I struggle to get the sensor in a suitable place, it is quite an effort to apply, and then I have to wiggle the applicator so the sticky stuff goes down all the way round. I wouldn't have room on my arm for a sensor and a blood pressure monitor cuff - the cuff takes up all of my upper arm.

 

[Kaylz]

@TheClockworkDodo yes I used to, I now put my hand on my head, stand in front of the mirror and try to catch the beefiest bit on the back of my arm from underneath (if any of that makes sense) which has made it a tad easier, my arms are about 7 and a half inches round xx

 

[mikeyB]

You girls have it easy. I had to shave my upper arm to put my sensor on to facilitate painless removal.

 

[Kaylz]

You girls have it easy. I had to shave my upper arm to put my sensor on to facilitate painless removal.

Woot Woo Mike I once shaved Bruce's stomach and another time his leg as he had infected bits that needed dressed, he was such a girl when taking them off even after I'd shaved him! 😱 I suppose your own upper arm takes some manoeuvring to shave mind xx