Blood Pressure Monitor

[Jerry1]

I'm dealing with high blood pressure. I've been using a monitor that I was given when I first started with my kidney issues. I believe it is accurate, however, my main use of it is to look at the trend from day to day. Still, I'd like to know the number is accurate and lately the monitor has been acting up. I'm wondering if this is somewhat normal or if I should get a new machine and if so, which one.

Lately the monitor has been doing two things. First, it often inflates the cuff and then released the pressure and says cuff error. I reposition the cuff and that usually works. It just seems that it shouldn't be that sensitive to how the cuff is positioned and of course from my position, it seems like I put it on the same every time. The second thing it does is particularly bothersome. It will inflate and then start the deflate process and right before I think it's done, it will reinflate and basically restart the process again. I have no idea why it does this. Does anyone else's do that? The worst thing is that when it does that, I can feel myself tense up and I imagine it causes the reading to be higher than it might otherwise be.

Any advice would be appreciated.

 

[braumeister]

They definitely can be sensitive to placement. You want to be sure it's on the right part of your arm and that the sensor is positioned correctly (in line with your middle finger).
At Consumer Reports, the top four rated monitors are all Omron brand, and Omron has 7 of the top 12 rated gadgets, so I think that's what you want. Amazon has a good selection.

 

[Mark1]

I hate to be a throw away society, but throw it away and get a new one.

 

[pacergal]

I recently replaced our home BP monitor.
I bought the OMRON gold upper arm BP monitor, Model BP5350. Battery operated, has bluetooth capabilities and came with a nice carrying case. Got it from Amazon.
It will hold memory for two people and is far more accurate than our last wrist model.
DH has taken it in twice to compare with PCP office, his BP is always lower at home than there (white coat syndrome).

 

[Alan]

I’ve used an Omron for many years. Last year I took it down to my GP who watched me use it then used her own to confirm it was accurate.

OP could maybe make an appointment to get his BP checked at an GP or pharmacy and take along his own monitor for assessment.

 

[pacergal]

OP--If the cuff is not placed correctly and/or senses movement, it may inflate higher and also deflate/re inflate.
Remember proper procedure:
Rest for 5 minutes, feet flat on the floor, arm resting comfortably, with cuff at heart height.
Breathe normally and hold still-- lol.

 

[pacergal]

Also make sure you have the correct sized cuff. Measure your upper arm circumference and purchase a small/regular/large/extra large adult cuff, based on the inch diameter.

 

[Aerides]

Take it with you to your next doctor's appointment. Ask the nurse to show you how to use it, and use it right after she does the "office" version and compare.

 

[Exchme]

My Omron was acting up this week and I searched for help on the error code it gave me. Believe it or not, the manufacturer's solution to several error codes was to remove and re-insert the batteries. So the fix may be simple, go to the manufacturer's website and do a search.

 

[AudiDudi]

If my BP is high, mine will inflate to 179 and then when it drops to about 145 or so, it will reinflate and go over 200 (ouch!). That usually indicates that my BP is going to be above 150.

 

[Jerry1]

To respond to a few comments, I have taken it with me to the Dr. and it reads about the same. The issues seems to be with the cuff placement. I'll try to be more precise on how I place it and try to be sure I remain more still. It's been working fine for almost two years and just started acting up recently. I'm trying to figure out if it's me or the unit/cuff and wondering if anyone else had this issue.

Ultimately, if it doesn't quit doing this, I'll just get another one. Though as commented, I hate to just toss stuff, but this is important as my BP is not under control.

 

[Jerry1]

If my BP is high, mine will inflate to 179 and then when it drops to about 145 or so, it will reinflate and go over 200 (ouch!). That usually indicates that my BP is going to be above 150.

Yes, that's what's happening. I am getting way more readings over 150 so maybe that's the issue. As aggravating as that is, maybe it's normal. And yes, when it reinflates, it squeezes pretty hard.

 

[Gotadimple]

When did you last replace batteries? That may be the issue. At the very least, remove and re-insert and see if it functions differently. If not, Go Shopping!

 

[AudiDudi]

Yes, that's what's happening. I am getting way more readings over 150 so maybe that's the issue. As aggravating as that is, maybe it's normal. And yes, when it reinflates, it squeezes pretty hard.

I took my monitor to the Dr's office a while back. When the nurse checked my BP on the left arm, I immediately used my monitor on the right arm. The readings were within 4 points.

 

[Jerry1]

When did you last replace batteries? That may be the issue. At the very least, remove and re-insert and see if it functions differently. If not, Go Shopping!

I have it plugged in.

 

[skyking1]

We have a microlife Gentle+ that is many years old and just works great. I use batteries on it and it goes a very long time on a set of AA.
Gentle+
I have been obsessing a bit on my BP and checking it several times twice a day and recording the data.
Having an aortic aneurysm can do that to you. ( so far so good on that front. My resting BP is 12x/7x all the time now on doubled up meds. )

 

[braumeister]

Another very good idea is to take your BP reading three times with a minute or more in between each. Then just record the average.
My monitor (Omron BP5450) does that automatically.

 

[Lorenzo]

Tossed my old model Omron and bought the most recent. Works more reliably, I think.

 

[skyking1]

Another very good idea is to take your BP reading three times with a minute or more in between each. Then just record the average.
My monitor (Omron BP5450) does that automatically.

My Gentle+ has the same button.

 

[MC Rider]

Remember proper procedure:
Rest for 5 minutes, feet flat on the floor, arm resting comfortably, with cuff at heart height.
Breathe normally and hold still-

My docs instructions also say avoid caffeine for 4 hours........
Yeah., right!

 

[Texas Proud]

My Omron was acting up this week and I searched for help on the error code it gave me. Believe it or not, the manufacturer's solution to several error codes was to remove and re-insert the batteries. So the fix may be simple, go to the manufacturer's website and do a search.

I was going to mention this... I just replaced the batteries when mine acted up...

But for reinflation, that could be 2 things.... you moved and got a bad reading or it did not inflate high enough the first time...

Also, I bought a cheap wrist monitor the other day... it measures about the same as the large upper arm Omron so we are using it most of the time now..

 

[Masquernom]

Using my blood pressure unit I found a couple of things that can affect the reading. Be sure there is no air leakage between the unit and the cuff. I found where the hose connects to the unit can get pulled our slightly and leak air. Also, I found I was using the cuff too tight. It always read high when I did that. I found relaxing the cuff some gave me much better readings.

 

[Koolau]

Yes, that's what's happening. I am getting way more readings over 150 so maybe that's the issue. As aggravating as that is, maybe it's normal. And yes, when it reinflates, it squeezes pretty hard.

I'm no expert, so take with a grain of salt. My BP is now under control for the most part. I've not recently experienced the issues you describe. BUT, when my BP was higher (140 and higher) I DID experience the kinds of issues you describe. SO, my guess is that the higher readings tend to stress the instrument and make it more likely to "sense" an "error" even if there isn't one.

I've never had the issue with the systems my doctor(s) use - even when my BP ran higher. I'm guessing the units I've purchased in the past two years ($40 to $60 each) are simply unable to deal as effectively as the "professional" units used in the doctors' offices when my pressures run high. I have no idea if there are "better" consumer units available.
I hope you are able to get this sorted out. I know what you mean about the tensing up after a re-pressurization. It's important for you to find an adequate monitor for your needs. Best of luck with this.