Blood Pressure monitor

[Ronstar]

Anyone use a home blood pressure monitor? My doc suggested that I check my bp every once in a while. Just wondering if anyone checks theirs at home and what they use.

 

[bobandsherry]

I have this one. Reasonably priced.

Blood Pressure Monitor-Wrist Accurate Automatic Digital bp Monitor with Large LCD Backlight Display and Includes Batteries,High Blood Pressure Machine Cuff with 180 Memories 2 Users Mode for Home Use https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B08D9H6C2W

 

[street]

I have this and was recommend for a good home monitor. Mine is the 65$ one. Don't get a cheap one is my recommendation.
https://www.amazon.com/Blood-Pressu...rs&rh=n:3777151,p_89:Omron&c=ts&ts_id=3777151

 

[TrvlBug]

I use the Omron 3 Series upper arm monitor. Doc recommends the upper arm ones saying the wrist ones are not that accurate. I've had to check my BP for years, so perhaps the wrist ones are better now.

Will need to have mine recalibrated soon as it's going on 1.5 years old.

 

[RetiredHappy]

I own 2 arm ones, both still working and are in 2 homes. I also bought a wrist model about 10 years ago and it is accurate as well. Right now I just rely on the wrist blood pressure monitor.

 

[Katsmeow]

I have a Withings. My scales and my thermometer are from the same company and they all have WiFi to keep a record of everything all in one place.

 

[savory]

Sorry that I do not have the link but NYT in their Wirecutter product reviews just made a recommendation of their top 3 choices, you may want to check that out.

 

[Alan]

I’ve used an Omron monitor fir over 10 years now.

 

[chassis]

I have an Omron upper arm device. It’s not Bluetooth which I wish it had. I will probably get a Bluetooth Omron bp device so that I can combine bp readings with ekg from my KardiaMobile device and send all of the data for cardiologist review once per year.

 

[donheff]

This thread sparked my curiosity so I looked up the Wirecutter article that savory mentioned. They recommend this one for $55.

 

[Jerry1]

Indefinitely recommend an arm cuff type. I have an Orman. However, I think the most important thing to do is take it with you when you go to the dr and verify the readings. Mine runs a little high on the top number. In that vein, I look at the difference/trend more than the actual numbers. I can trust that if it shows I’m way up on a particular day that I’m am indeed having a bad BP day. I don’t give much thought to the specific numbers displayed.

 

[Vincenzo Corleone]

Anyone use a home blood pressure monitor? My doc suggested that I check my bp every once in a while. Just wondering if anyone checks theirs at home and what they use.

My doctor recommended a number of brands of BP monitors. The one I ended up with is OMRON Platinum Blood Pressure Monitor - model #BP5450.

I just had a follow-up appointment with my doctor yesterday to see if the new BP medication she prescribed is effective. Her BP readings were inline with the ones I've gotten with my home BP monitor.

 

[Aerides]

However, I think the most important thing to do is take it with you when you go to the dr and verify the readings.

I have an Omron BP5100. I think the main issue is I don't always use it properly: Is it the right tightness? Is my arm raised or rested properly? etc. But it seems to work as is not inconsistent with my doctor office readings.

I think I'll take mine with me on my next visit and ask the nurse who gathers my stats to show me properly, and then compare results with hers. (she tends to spend more time than the doctors...)

 

[jazz4cash]

Just had my annual physical and I mentioned my intent to get a home device but PCP suggested holding off a bit. He believes Medicare will expand coverage to include home monitoring devices, but of course I don’t have Medicare.

 

[Ronstar]

Thanks everyone for the suggestions! I ordered an Omron platinum (a Blow that Dough blood pressure monitor) from Amazon. It will be here today.

I've been to my new Dr. for my 2 Medicare Wellness checks. Last year BP was 142/83. This year (yesterday) 147/76. Dr. says it is a little high. My reasoning is that I went running before both appts. He doesn't think that the running would affect blood pressure 1.5 to 2 hours after running. So he recommended I start monitoring.

 

[Jerry1]

Thanks everyone for the suggestions! I ordered an Omron platinum (a Blow that Dough blood pressure monitor) from Amazon. It will be here today.

I've been to my new Dr. for my 2 Medicare Wellness checks. Last year BP was 142/83. This year (yesterday) 147/76. Dr. says it is a little high. My reasoning is that I went running before both appts. He doesn't think that the running would affect blood pressure 1.5 to 2 hours after running. So he recommended I start monitoring.

Look up BP recommendations based on age. It’s normal for BP to go up as you age. If you’re over 60, yours doesn’t seem to high, but of course I’m no doctor.

 

[audreyh1]

Anyone use a home blood pressure monitor? My doc suggested that I check my bp every once in a while. Just wondering if anyone checks theirs at home and what they use.

Yes, I check mine at home every couple of weeks and have home monitored for years. Mainly to have a record because it’s always higher at the doctors office.

Omron BP786 which uses an upper arm cuff.

I use the mode where it averages 3 readings and I sit quietly for 5 mins before taking it.

Last BP was 100/72

My BP dropped quite a bit when I cut out most carbs. It’s a well known benefit. Higher insulin levels increase BP because insulin makes the kidneys retain sodium and they retain more water to compensate.

 

[Ronstar]

And I have/had premature ventricular contractions that were found in last year's ekg and stress test, so I'm not sure what if any effect that will have on my monitoring bp.

 

[audreyh1]

Good question for your doctor obviously, but blood pressure is monitoring blood flow.

 

[chassis]

Bp readings vary widely with cuff height relative to right ventricle and, separately, body posture. It’s a hydraulic problem, as in hydraulic engineering.

Cuff needs to be level with the right ventricle. Body posture needs to be sitting erect with feet on the floor. Try reading bp in the supine position with your arm dangling below you on the floor. Then measure bp while standing on your feet with the cuff on your arm raised over your head. Very different readings. Consistency is important as with any test measurement.

 

[SJ1_]

I have an Omron works good enough very important that u measure correctly

 

[O2Bfree]

And I have/had premature ventricular contractions that were found in last year's ekg and stress test, so I'm not sure what if any effect that will have on my monitoring bp.

When I was having premature atrial contractions my Omron BP785N would show a shaky heart icon. Didn't seem to affect the BP readings. I got my unit in 2014, so maybe newer units have a more elaborate indication of unusual heart rhythms.

 

[Alan]

I've been to my new Dr. for my 2 Medicare Wellness checks. Last year BP was 142/83. This year (yesterday) 147/76. Dr. says it is a little high. My reasoning is that I went running before both appts. He doesn't think that the running would affect blood pressure 1.5 to 2 hours after running. So he recommended I start monitoring.

My Omron M3 comes with "Intelli sense" that flags up irregular heart beats. This was actually my first indication of atrial fibrillation 6 years ago (I had to find the manual to see what the shaky heart symbol meant). Even 3 years after my ablation to stop the afib it often flags an irregular heartbeat that I immediately check with my Alivecor ekg monitor to be sure it is not a return of the Afib.

Most days I take my BP and record the results on a spreadsheet including whether or not an irregular heartbeat was detected and if it was Afib. A couple of years ago I have wore an ekg monitor for 24 hours and the cardio doc confirmed that the irregular heartbeat is just premature ventricula contractions and is nothing to worry about.

 

[audreyh1]

I sit in a chair with my feet on the ground. My cuffed arm is on the table, usually on something to raise it to about heart height. I sit quietly for 5 mins - usually reading the laptop. Then take BP, remaining quiet and relaxed and breathing easy.

DH had a rare pre-beat and avoids caffeine because of it. No caffeine, no pre-beat.

Usually exercise drops BP afterwards.

 

[Alan]

Usually exercise drops BP afterwards.

I also find that.

My totally uninformed theory is that exercise gets my blood beating hard and fast then after resting to let it come down I reckon the arteries are still stretched and provide less resistance for a while which is a good time to take my BP and get a lower than normal reading.