Ok, I've done it.

[aviator]

I'm feeling happier this morning I've taken my BP and today's reading is 120/86.
Sharon ,I've found NHS site useful too,good luck with your Monitor and getting your BP under control.

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

Take three readings each time and log the average - my monitor does that automatically and it replicates what medical professionals should be doing.

Good tip Colin!

 

[SB2015]

Like others I find my levels are a little high when I go to appointments, but are generally okay at home (on medication). I have agreed that for my reviews I will monitor at home the week before. I do morning and evening and then average out these and that is what is recorded in the system.
(Last time at the hospital it was 154/95. At home I was averaging 124/75.)

I have been told to aim for below 130/80. If over 140/90 we will review meds.

 

[SB2015]

120/80 would be considered OK but might be described as being High Normal.

There are four lifestyle changes recommended by the NHS for reducing BP:-

• losing weight (if you're overweight)
• reducing the amount of salt in your diet
• exercising regularly
• cutting back on alcohol and caffeine

I've managed to do all of them and all my readings since the beginning of June have been in the normal range, so it looks to be good and effective advice.

Martin

Sat here with a coffee in hand. I had forgotten that bit of the advice for reducing it!!
Hmmmmm.

 

[mikeyB]

120/80 would be considered OK but might be described as being High Normal.

Martin

120/80 is not High Normal, or just OK. It is the standard by which other measurements are judged. It’s perfect.

Your comment is not just wrong, it could worry perfectly healthy folk. Please amend your post to make it more clear what you were trying to say.

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

120/80 is not High Normal, or just OK. It is the standard by which other measurements are judged. It’s perfect.

My BP monitor booklet suggests 120/80 as being ‘normal’ but not ‘ideal’, which it has as <120 / <80 (with another low BP category below that)

Perhaps different booklets phrase this differently?

My HCPs have always seemed quite happy as long as I was below 140/90, so I’ve always felt my BP booklet was a bit alarmist about normal rather than ideal.

I’d be perfectly happy with 120/80 myself 🙂

 

[mikeyB]

Indeed, that is misleading. I don’t know any doctor who would consider 120/80 as high normal. As I intimated, it’s the ideal.

I do apologise for suggesting it was your comment rather than the ridiculous comment on the NHS site. Mind you, it’s not the only thing the NHS gets wrong.

 

[Sharron1]

Ok, am gearing up to have another go with my new toy. I know once I return to the office, I will be more 'grown up' about checking the BP. I find the whole thing so interesting and the little pulse thing at the edge of the monitor is also new to me. As for ColinUK and the averages. Something else for me to do! Ljc, thanks for the comment re questions. Don't worry, I always ask questions. Always polite, not rude but ask questions.

 

[ColinUK]

I’ve not taken mine in a while but will test it over the next few weeks to see where I’m at but I do know my highest reading (Dec 2019) was a massive 159/103 - average for the last three readings is 122/69
Curiously although high bp is a family trait I always used to have low blood pressure and can recall being told to have more salt in my diet. I think those days are long gone!

 

[trophywench]

Pete's lifelong low BP has been miraculously cured ever since COPD manifested and they carted him off in an ambulance. Oh how surprising, not.

Just done mine. best of 3 LOL, average 114/66, but my pulse rate is high - 90 the highest, 87 on the 3rd go. I just simply have not moved enough any time since March, ie the opposite of my usual hibernate all winter and get moving again in Spring - aaarrgghh. Just not healthy physically let alone mentally in any way shape or form, whoever we happen to be or whatever our circumstances. By now it wouldn't normally completely wipe me out to do a bit of normal housework. I never like doing it, but there's even less to like when it wipes you out - and concerning. Hey ho, AD continues to march along ......

 

[Sharron1]

Hi, another question. The pulse number read 74. I have googled it and it seems ok. As you may have gathered when I start something I want to know all the details. My area of expertise should you ever need advice is Victorians and especially governesses. Feel free to ask.

 

[Bruce Stephens]

The pulse number read 74. I have googled it and it seems ok.

It's within the normal range. Mine (without the drugs) is closer to 90 or so, which is really uncomfortably high. Some people (especially but not exclusively) athletic people can have very low resting pulse rates.