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Ok, I've done it.

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Sharron1

Well-Known Member
Relationship to Diabetes
Type 2
Hi,

A few weeks ago I had a telephone consultation with my GP (I have posted details of that event). Before it rather downhill, due to my insistence on asking questions so I had a better idea of what was happening. But she suggested that although my BP is ok, I might like to buy my own monitor just to keep an eye on it. Sounds reasonable. So, today made the purchase. Of course forgot the batteries... Will sort that out. I am new to this. How often is a good idea to use it, bearing in mind the surgery does it once a year? And is there a 'good ' time obviously not when am rushing hither and thither?
 
I've got one, which is useful. I did it every few weeks for quite a while but nowadays it's more like when I remember...o_O ...and then I forget again...
 
Hi @Sharron1 great purchase bought mine years ago.
No point doing it after exercise bearing in mind I can only tell you how it affects me.
Hopefully you have bought one that measures from the upper arm and not the wrist?
Relax as much as you can and apply the monitor whilst sitting down with the arm resting
a pillow will help to lay your arm on, make sure the connecting tube is not tangled in
anyway.

Do it three times and record it, if you have no other means phone the surgery with the
results any problems you will probably get a call, check every day until you are sure in
your own mind everything is ok. You`ll soon get used to it I see @mikeyB has posted
and @Anitram well done guys, @mikeyB is a professional and I listen to him to learn.


Hope your meter works ok for you let us know the results, take care. xx
 
Can I just jump in too and ask what normal BP should measure? I’ve been doing mine for a few weeks now and (to me) got some low readings but not sure if they will actually be classed as low.
 
mikeyB said:
If you want a clearer picture, morning when you wake, mid afternoon and before you go to bed. Generally, not straight after or during a high level of activity.
Click to expand...
I suspect morning and before bed will be the target. Thanks for the advice
 
KARNAK said:
Hi @Sharron1 great purchase bought mine years ago.
No point doing it after exercise bearing in mind I can only tell you how it affects me.
Hopefully you have bought one that measures from the upper arm and not the wrist?
Relax as much as you can and apply the monitor whilst sitting down with the arm resting
a pillow will help to lay your arm on, make sure the connecting tube is not tangled in
anyway.

Do it three times and record it, if you have no other means phone the surgery with the
results any problems you will probably get a call, check every day until you are sure in
your own mind everything is ok. You`ll soon get used to it I see @mikeyB has posted
and @Anitram well done guys, @mikeyB is a professional and I listen to him to learn.


Hope your meter works ok for you let us know the results, take care. xx
Click to expand...
Yup, got the arm cuff one. Thanks for the advice
 
MarkGeordie said:
Can I just jump in too and ask what normal BP should measure? I’ve been doing mine for a few weeks now and (to me) got some low readings but not sure if they will actually be classed as low.
Click to expand...
I personally go on a reading of 110/ 80..but anywhere between 90/70 to 120/90 is ok..
Also to the OP when i check mine i do it sat down when fully relaxed then take a second reading stood up right after.
Adam.
 
I have just bought a monitor and used it for the 1st time today. I've been shocked by the reading 146/90
I've been doing Low Carbs for 8 weeks and lost 6lbs in weight. NHS site suggests I should be eating High Fibre Bread , Pasta etc. I feel like I can't win!
 
Thank you both for your support.I'll try not to panic and take it tomorrow when I'm calmer and rested.
 
Quite right,@aviator. Many folk have been put on hypertension tablets who always get higher readings in the doctors. A one off reading means nothing. Ideally, a 24 hour monitor is the thing to do. I had one, and it can disturb your sleep. And, in my case, your sex life with it firing off every 20 minutes.As I said above, checking as soon as you wake up, mid afternoon and before you go to bed should give you a general idea.

Certainly, at the level you recorded there's no need to panic. My guess is that if you continue to lose weight, everything should drop to normal. Depending on your weight now, if you have wider than normal arms, get a wider cuff. A standard cuff gives false readings in folk who are overweight. Nurses never seem to have wide cuffs, which again leads folk into the medication route.

It's a mine field, minor hypertension.
 
I think my panic was triggered because last time it was read by a Dr it was about 120/80 and I wondered if changing my diet had triggered High BP. I am overweight but less than 1 Stone over which still a lot for my height and needs to go.
 
Ok, all set up with my new toy. I have tried it three times and I am still in the high normal zone (sorry can't remember the exact numbers will write them down next time).,I seem to be stuck at this. When it was taken in the surgery about a year ago it was the same high normal. Hmmm. The NHS blood pressure chart was helpful. Good, something else to ponder.
 
Your higher figures atm might be due to stress. Ie your really hoping to see a lower figure so up it goes ,a bit like white coat syndrome.
Try sitting and thinking nice relaxing thoughts for a shirt while before you press the button to start the monitor pumping up the armband.

Good luck.

Oh and by the way, you keep asking all the questions you need to with that Gp, it’s your body, condition etc not hers.
 
Take three readings each time and log the average - my monitor does that automatically and it replicates what medical professionals should be doing.
 
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