Home Blood Pressure Monitor

[Digital Gee]

Any of you taking your blood pressure at home? My annual physical turned out really good -- everything where it should be except weight (duh!) and blood pressure. I'm at 145/90. Yes, I'm on meds -- starting tomorrow, a stronger kind.

Anyway, my doc suggested I get a home blood pressure machine, and take my pressures three times a day, and keep the stats for a few weeks, and then let him know how I'm doing.

Any recommendations? Experiences?

[SaiKaiTai]

I do and I have an old Sunbeam self-pumper.
I don't think they make it anymore but I just thought share that anyway

[Big Paulie]

I have one, but haven't used it in over 5 years. No matter what I did in terms of excersize or diet, my BP stayed in the same, horrifying range. So I quite using it. I haven't started using meds for a couple of reasons. I can't afford it, and I'm not into them anyway. Whatever happpens, happens. I ride at least 120 miles a week, and usually around 180, so that's what I rely on for my long term health. Probably a mistake, I grant you, but I like the way I live.

[Gearoidmuar]

How many times did you have your blood pressure measured?

One reading is not enough.

a 24hr monitoring run will indicate whether you really have blood-pressure or not.

These home monitors can be quite inaccurate.
Mine is. It over-reads my own blood pressure and not my wife's

p.s.

I'm a doctor myself.

[rodrigaj]

Anyway, my doc suggested I get a home blood pressure machine, and take my pressures three times a day, and keep the stats for a few weeks, and then let him know how I'm doing.

DG- Since your doctor made the recommendation, shouldn't he or his nurse advise you on models that are reliable, and give you a lesson on their use once you buy one?

[tt1106]

I'm half in the boat with Big Paulie. I have a wrist monitor type. I use it occasionally, but mostly for entertainment value. I generally check it after having a stressful moment, such as when an employee calls me at home with a problem or after uh.....quiet time with the missus.
I don't pay attention to it. My diet is "not horrible", I ride around 75-100 miles per week and am generally a fatalist. I have one similar to the Omron model. It seems reliable and consistent.
I have an asphygnomanometer but I don't use it.

[DnvrFox]

I use a "Kroger" - here you get it at a King Soopers. I think they are made by Omron.

It is a basic model. HEM712kr - battery operated with a 10 read memory.

We also have a mercury sphygmomanometer (my wife is an RN), with which I have checked out the accuracy, and it is quite accurate. It also corresponds well with bp checks in the MD's office.

I take it daily first thing in the morning.
Cost about $50 or so.

http://www.bpsuccesszone.com/images/subtiers/program_features/bp_monitor.jpg

Here is a promotion for a free one - I know nothing about it, except I caught it on a google.

http://www.bpsuccesszone.com/hcp/resources/monitor.jsp?usertrack.filter_applied=true&NovaId=3350119499457765524

I have one, but haven't used it in over 5 years. No matter what I did in terms of excersize or diet, my BP stayed in the same, horrifying range. So I quite using it. I haven't started using meds for a couple of reasons. I can't afford it, and I'm not into them anyway. Whatever happpens, happens. I ride at least 120 miles a week, and usually around 180, so that's what I rely on for my long term health. Probably a mistake, I grant you, but I like the way I live.

And, BP, HCTZ (Hydrochlorothiazide) is practically free. I get 200 tabs at a time and it costs aout $10.00 - and it lasts me over a year, as I take 1/2 tab a day

http://www.drugstore.com/pharmacy/prices/drugprice.asp?ndc=00172208380&trx=1Z5006

[Halfast]

My wife and I use an Omron automagic thing, and also a regular cuff. Have for several years. The Omron is as accurate as I can read with the old cuff, so we use it. My son also bought an Omron at the recommendation of his Doc. Wallyworld has them.

[BCIpam]

I use a "Kroger" - here you get it at a King Soopers. I think they are made by Omron.

It is a basic model. HEM72kr - battery operated with a 10 read memory.

http://www.bpsuccesszone.com/hcp/resources/monitor.jsp?usertrack.filter_applied=true&NovaId=3350119499457765524

I have the same machine. It works fairly well and tracks with the doctors office. Got it at Walgreens.

Since we are on the subject. I just recently starting taking medication. I am on Diovan 60 mg (the lowest dose). My BP before medication was generally 135 - 140 over 85 - 90. On the medication it's down to 125/70.

The biggest change is how I feel - lousy! Always sluggish. Riding sucks. I can't get my legs warmed up. I have gotten severely dizzy several times while out riding. I've told the doctor about this and was told I'll (my body) will get used to the medication. Is that so? It has been months. Have any of you experienced the same feelings or problems? I really just as soon go off it and take my chances. Of course, if I would just lose 20 lbs. my problem is solved so I'm trying hard to get the weight off.

[DnvrFox]

I take Diovan and have no problems, yet I could not tolerate ACE Inhibitors. I think it takes a bit to find the right Rx, and each of us seems SO different in our reactions to various meds. Incidentally, are you on HCTZ? I have read that it is where everyone should start before progressing to other meds.

And that weight loss makes a whale of a difference.

BP this am - 120/77

[OH306]

I have one, but haven't used it in over 5 years. No matter what I did in terms of excersize or diet, my BP stayed in the same, horrifying range. So I quite using it. I haven't started using meds for a couple of reasons. I can't afford it, and I'm not into them anyway. Whatever happpens, happens. I ride at least 120 miles a week, and usually around 180, so that's what I rely on for my long term health. Probably a mistake, I grant you, but I like the way I live.

You're right, "Probably a mistake". Blood pressure meds are probably the cheapest meds out there, so that's not a legit excuse. "Whatever happens, happens" is great until it happens. Please reconsider B.P .. (is that Big Paulie or blood pressure?). If any of you are ex military and use VA for med care they will provide you a machine at no cost to you.

[twobikes]

The standard for blood pressure accuracy is the kind that uses a column of mercury. My blood pressure was up quite a few years ago because of stress related to a difficult person. It shocked me into thinking I needed to have the tool for monitoring my blood pressure and I bought one. At the time the digital types were just coming on the market. The cautionary tales warned they could be rather inaccurate. I do not know how they are today. Medical people seem to use them. If blood pressure readings are important to you, I would encourage you to buy one with a column of mercury.

[wrafl]

You're right, "If any of you are ex military and use VA for med care they will provide you a machine at no cost to you.


Get my meds from VA and also provided me with a digital BP monitor, Lifesource is the brand. Checked BP yesterday and it was acceptably low, 108/68 that's with cycling, meds and diet put together. Yes you need to monitor your BP cause uncontrolled BP result in heart attack, stroke and kidney failure.

[stonecrd]

I suffer a bit of white coat pressure increase so I also have a home unit. I use a BD-A20 which was not too expensive. If you get one take it in and have them check your BP with the office instrument and your home unit to make sure they are reasonably close. BP changes quite a bit during the day so try to measure it at the same time very day. I found mine dropped 5 points from the office just due to being at the Dr's office, this is pretty common. I take 10mg lisinopril which has my BP completely under control with zero side effects.

[Longfemur]

You ignore higher blood pressure at your own peril, and it's a very real peril. Exercise helps to give you fitness, but it does not guarantee health. That's the big fallacy. If your BP is high, it's high, and your risk for end-organ damage is very real. Health and fitness are two different things. Don't think that just because you are a serious cyclist, that you can risk things like ignoring high blood pressure. Sure, it's easy to say "what happens happens". There are plenty of people who said that who wish they hadn't once the thing happened.

[SaiKaiTai]

OK, let's see if this will go through this time.

But seriously folks, the Sunbeam was recommended to me about 10+ years ago by my, then, physician.
He pretty much felt they were all cr*p but the Sunbeam which he felt was very accurate.
Now, 10 years and about 5 or 6 doctors later (thanks to the marvel of modern medical insurance) I have brought it in to be 'calibrated" countless times. Every doctor, every specialist asks me to bring it in and they all say it's right on the money (give or take a point or two). I find this reassuring since the sight of a white coat induces a 20 point swing -easy- in my readings. After getting my meds juggled around I don't know how many times, we have found a combination that works. Or maybe more than a year of riding -sometimes pretty hard riding- and a 30lb drop in weight have a little something to do with it. Last time I saw my Cardio, he was thrilled. I see my internist next week, we'll see what he says. Meanwhile, after I come home from a good 2 hour ride, it's not uncommon to have have 110/60 readings for a couple of hours. Don't stand up too fast.

Yes, the body will adjust to the meds -mostly- and after a while (it varies) you won't feel as lousy.

[Shooter]

I have an Omron digital. I took it with me to my last physical & it's pretty accurate. I try to take my BP daily, usually @ night. On a similar note, who rides with a heart rate monitor?

[George]

I have the same kind as Dfox and it's right on. I keep cross checking it at WalMart and they are pretty close.

[Digital Gee]

Picked up an Omron at Wally World today and it's pretty cool. My BP was down five points already from my physical (I know, I know). Anyway, another thing to put into an Excel spreadsheet!

(Anybody got a template already?)

[DnvrFox]

Picked up an Omron at Wally World today and it's pretty cool. My BP was down five points already from my physical (I know, I know). Anyway, another thing to put into an Excel spreadsheet!

(Anybody got a template already?)

I set mine up

Date - Left Arm - Right Arm - Left Arm - Average - Pulse

I would forward it but I am traveling and I don't have it on this computer. You will find a lot of variance day to day and time to time. I try to take it at the same time as a part of my morning routine. .

[Digital Gee]

I set mine up

Date - Left Arm - Right Arm - Left Arm - Average - Pulse

I would forward it but I am traveling and I don't have it on this computer. You will find a lot of variance day to day and time to time. I try to take it as a part of my morning routine.

Thanks! Sounds easy enough to set up. Even I could do it!

[DnvrFox]

Thanks! Sounds easy enough to set up. Even I could do it!

I am not using the spreadsheet now, as it has really stabilized. For a period of time, when I was on a drug called trileptal (and tegretol) it was practically uncontrollable (i.e., 170/120). At that time I tried almost every drug regimen known and watched it carefully. I was finally able to go off of those drugs, and it went back to "normal."

[Terrierman]

I'm half in the boat with Big Paulie. I have a wrist monitor type. I use it occasionally, but mostly for entertainment value. I generally check it after having a stressful moment, such as when an employee calls me at home with a problem or after uh.....quiet time with the missus.
I don't pay attention to it. My diet is "not horrible", I ride around 75-100 miles per week and am generally a fatalist. I have one similar to the Omron model. It seems reliable and consistent.
I have an asphygnomanometer but I don't use it.


I'm a fatalist but not a strokist or kidney failurist. I take the meds. Thursday I went for my colonoscopy pre-procedure consult. It had been a hellish day at work and I had to rush and drive like a maniac to make my appointment. Nurse says we need to take your BP, I'm still babbling on abouw what a crap day it had been and how I knew my BP would be through the roof. 130 over 80. Something is working.

[BCIpam]

I Incidentally, are you on HCTZ? I have read that it is where everyone should start before progressing to other meds.



I profess my ignorance - what is that???

[Yen]

colonoscopy pre-procedure consult.

Huh? I don't get one of those, what am I missing?

DG: Best wishes with your new toy. I have low BP and it can have its own issues.

[SaiKaiTai]

I profess my ignorance - what is that???

HydroChloroThiazide - a diuretic

[DnvrFox]

Huh? I don't get one of those, what am I missing?



My wife and I had ours this week. Fill out all the forms, sign the paperwork, get medical history, bp check, feel our stomachs, learn about procedure, etc.

[Terrierman]

Huh? I don't get one of those, what am I missing?



Not much. The twilight drugs don't work on me, which means general anesthesia. I have a new doc since we have moved and he needed to hear all about it so they could schedule it that way. Plus they get to charge for an extra office visit that way, without really having to do anything. Plus what Denver said.:D

[Snicklefritz]

How many times did you have your blood pressure measured?

One reading is not enough.

a 24hr monitoring run will indicate whether you really have blood-pressure or not.

These home monitors can be quite inaccurate.
Mine is. It over-reads my own blood pressure and not my wife's

p.s.

I'm a doctor myself.


I hope he has blood pressure, for his sake. :D

[Yen]

My wife and I had ours this week. Fill out all the forms, sign the paperwork, get medical history, bp check, feel our stomachs, learn about procedure, etc.

OK, this has me wondering. I was referred to this doctor by my primary doc (an internist with an excellent reputation). They have a web site where you can print the forms, complete them, and mail them in. (I could have called them and asked for them to be mailed instead.) Then you wait for them to call to schedule an appointment. They didn't call for almost a week, so I called them. The forms include the regular stuff you fill out the first time you see a doctor, additional medical history about colonoscopies and/or family history of colon cancer, and the release form.

The prep will consist of Osmo Prep tablets. Information on-line says to use with caution (or not at all) with certain medical conditions. The forms do not ask for history of these medical conditions. Fortunately (as far as I know) I'm in excellent health.......... but their knowledge of my health is limited to what they asked me on the forms. I know it's an extra expense, but the pre-procedure office visit does seem like a good idea.


OK, 'nuff about me....... back to the regularly scheduled broadcast about Home Blood Pressure Monitors.

[DnvrFox]

OK, this has me wondering.

. I know it's an extra expense, but the pre-procedure office visit does seem like a good idea.


OK, 'nuff about me....... back to the regularly scheduled broadcast about Home Blood Pressure Monitors.

My wife, being a super cautious RN, always has us "check it out" before hand, and we hate filling all those forms out by mail. I don't know whether or not we would have been called for a "pre-op" if she hadn't made the appointment first??

Also, this helps relieve the anxiety.

[DannoXYZ]

Anyone tried the machines they have at Rite-Aid stores? Are they accurate enough? I figured to monitor a trend with before & after, that'd be good enough?

[littlewaywelt]

You can pick up an accurate digitial home bp meter for $30 at your pharmacy. They are extremely accurate if used properly and consistantly. I take mine probably 4x / week as soon as I get up. The most important factor is having the meter at the same level as the heart. A drop of just two inches can dramatically skew the results.

[pbw-cymro]

I have an Omron digital BP monitor. I used it religiously for about three months after getting a poor report card at my last physical 150/100. Once I started using the BPM I found that my high reading may have been a little stress at having a physical for the first time in 20 years! Nevertheless, I started a new fitness routine and have watched an improvement down to about 114/64. The Omron also charts HR.

There is a very useful program on the net called BPLog which allows you to record, chart and graph your readings - it is free but every now and again pops up a message asking for a $5 donation to help support the program. Someone else asked about using an HRM - I use a Nordictrack model and am happy with it - I use it on every ride and use it to monitor my progress, cadence, etc.

[SSIndyRider]

Try to take the measurements at about the same time each day you record it - it can vary at different times of the day and if you only do it once per day, but different times, you may not get an accurate picture.

[Chaco]

I have an Omron HM-711, and have been pretty happy with it. 14 months ago, when I was almsot 50 lbs. heavier than I am now, my BP was typically 145/95. I started a workout plan, and ate better, and it's been steadily dropping. I don't take my BP every day anymore; now I take it about once a week. Generally it's around 112/68, with no meds.

I use a Polar HR monitor, too. My resting pulse a year ago was 69-72; now it is 48-50.

[SaiKaiTai]

Actually, if you take it throughout the day you *will* have an accurate picture, fluctuations and all.