Blood pressure readings.

[mcmxi]

I had an appointment at a local clinic a few weeks ago to discuss ways to optimize my health so that I can continue to do the things I enjoy for as long as possible. Part of the check up was drawing blood to look at cholesterol, testosterone, vitamin D and B etc. I've been taking Cardio Miracle for a couple of months, have lost over 20lb so far, exercise regularly, feel pretty good, and have never had high blood pressure, but the nurse practitioner suggested that I buy a home blood pressure machine and start taking measurements at home.

Of course, with my obsessive tendency I immediately ordered an Oxiline Pressure X Pro and was taking measurements every morning. At the follow up appointment I handed the nurse a spreadsheet with way too much data. She laughed and told me that weekly was fine.

So here's my question. I take four measurements on my left arm and throw out the first (always weirdly high and doctors suggest not including it), then take three on the right arm. I average the three readings per arm and that gets reported as being my blood pressure that day. The issue I have is that my left arm is consistently higher than my right, but according to the literature, the right arm is typically higher. So this morning, my right arm average was 110/71 but my left arm average was 125/82. Does anyone here measure their blood pressure, and if so, do you see one arm being significantly higher than the other? From what I've read, bad things could be afoot if there's a differential of 10 mmHg or more.

The nurse wasn't overly concerned about this revelation, but WebMD can get you making a mountain out of a molehill.

 

[Daren Todd]

One arm will be consistently higher than the other. Ones outgoing, the other is incoming. I just couldn't tell you which.

But I'm gonna say that the right is outgoing and left is incoming. Whenever someone takes my blood pressure on my right, it's normally higher than my left.

 

[mcmxi]

One arm will be consistently higher than the other. Ones outgoing, the other is incoming. I just couldn't tell you which.

But I'm gonna say that the right is outgoing and left is incoming. Whenever someone takes my blood pressure on my right, it's normally higher than my left.

Hmmm ... if your right is higher that seems consistent with the literature. I might be plumbed backwards! I joke of course, but one of my brothers was born with a "hole in the heart" which was a term used in England when we were kids to describe a valve issue.

I'll have to do some more reading and possibly schedule an appointment at the hospital for an ECG or similar.

Thanks.

 

[Daren Todd]

Hmmm ... if your right is higher that seems consistent with the literature. I might be plumbed backwards! I joke of course, but one of my brothers was born with a "hole in the heart" which was a term used in England when we were kids to describe a valve issue.

I'll have to do some more reading and possibly schedule an appointment at the hospital for an ECG or similar.

Thanks.

I've had to consistently get them to take a reading from my left side when going for my DOT physical. They will do my right side and then freak.... start saying we need all sorts of tests before I'm cleared.

I then explain my right is always higher. You need to give me a few minutes to relax since you've just ticked me off and then take the reading on my left armb

One of our local hospitals has a "Be heart Healthy" exam.

You call and schedule an appointment. Costs $100.

They do the works, ekg, mri, ultra sound, blood work, pee test. They pretty much make you run the gauntlet.

But it also give you a pretty good breakdown of what's going on. It's painless and if you can get a first thing appointment, your done with the results from the cardiologist by lunch time.

They also forward the results onto your primary doctor for their records.

I did it back in March. They said everything looks great and see you in 5 years

They told my wife when she did it to come back in 10 years

 

[Biker1mike]

Unless there is an emergency , blood pressure measurements should be looked at over time. It will vary all over the place during the day. The long term trend is what is important. If it varies within the range your doctor says is normal, you have no worries. An upward trend will keep you ahead of high blood pressure. A dropping trend to very low limits also needs to be addressed.

My eldest did a BP science project with my volley FD. Resting pressure, then running four flights of stairs in full turn outs, and then pressure at rest, 15 minutes, and 30 minutes.

 

[mcmxi]

Thanks @Daren Todd & @Biker1mike. I'll look into the "be heart healthy" exam.

 

[Siesta Sundance]

Opt for a CT scan of the heart, a cardiologist will tell you the overall condition of your heart. I had one done 2 tears ago, and my heart is quite healthy, it's appears to be a digestive/muscular issue that makes blood pressure float around on the charts. I think I might have some of that long covid effects.

 

[D2Cat]

Might check out some info on proper technique to take accurate blood pressure readings. In many cases the Dr takes the BP right away with no resting time, talking and feet and back not supported. All clothing cleared from cuff and cuff 1" from elbow joint with line directly on top.

I brought this up to my Dr's nurse as she was proceeding. Her comment was, "We do have time for that." So the best thing to do is develop your own form, take readings, log onto your form pressures, time ,date and take that for your Dr.

 

[mcmxi]

Might check out some info on proper technique to take accurate blood pressure readings. In many cases the Dr takes the BP right away with no resting time, talking and feet and back not supported. All clothing cleared from cuff and cuff 1" from elbow joint with line directly on top.

I brought this up to my Dr's nurse as she was proceeding. Her comment was, "We do have time for that." So the best thing to do is develop your own form, take readings, log onto your form pressures, time ,date and take that for your Dr.

The Oxiline that I bought comes with lots of information about how and when to take blood pressure readings so I've been following their process from the get go.

Pressure X Pro

Stay connected to your heart health with Pressure X Pro. This Bluetooth blood pressure monitor accurately measures your systolic and diastolic blood pressure, as well as your pulse rate. Monitor your heart health with ease and convenience using Pressure X Pro.

oxiline.shop

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

I just had surgery on my leg and foot.
I have really high blood pressure when I'm stressed, Hate the feeling of no control.
They told me cuff size, placement, and body anatomy, and position of your arm all play a role in it.
With the numbers and differential you gave I don't think there's anything to stress about!

 

[mcmxi]

I just had surgery on my leg and foot.
I have really high blood pressure when I'm stressed, Hate the feeling of no control.
They told me cuff size, placement, and body anatomy, and position of your arm all play a role in it.
With the numbers and differential you gave I don't think there's anything to stress about!

Sorry to hear that you had to undergo surgery. I hope you make a speedy recovery and manage to enjoy the holidays. Having dogs is supposed to lower your blood pressure, but I'm not sure if the same applies to having wolves!

 

[D2Cat]

I just got back from the Dr's office and my BP was 100/62. Dr. started asking questions and soon said I needed to be drinking more fluids, water and electrolytes and be careful for a few days to not get up too fast.

First time I ever remember BP being too low.

 

[Biker1mike]

I just got back from the Dr's office and my BP was 100/62. Dr. started asking questions and soon said I needed to be drinking more fluids, water and electrolytes and be careful for a few days to not get up too fast.

First time I ever remember BP being too low.

Oh yeah, stand up too fast and may find yourself on the floor.
Had a co-worker call me to her office saying she was light headed and almost fell back when standing. Her BP was way way down. Talked for a minute and she told me she took a double dose of her blood pressure meds as she missed it yesterday. Having an EMT in the office is a good thing.
Take care.

 

[M5051]

Compare your home monitor next or with your Drs. old school pump method to see how accurate it is. It should be close.

 

[NCL4701]

I check mine about once a week at home. Mostly because I have a touch of what my doctor calls “white coat syndrome”. Just going to the doctor increases my blood pressure. First time it was a bit too high at his office was at the end of a work day. Told him that was unusually high compared to my routine readings so we agreed next time I came in I’d bring my home unit and we’d make the appointment BEFORE work.

Next appointment he watched me check it, confirmed I was doing it right, then checked it the doctor way right behind me to make sure my home unit was reading correctly. It was fine then. I now take him a chart of home readings I take before work.

Worst case for me was visiting a new dentist several years ago. They read my blood pressure on the way in and told me I needed to go to the ER. Talked them into going through with the appointment and I’d go to the ER if it was still stupid high in the way out. They checked it on the way out and they were amazed it was perfectly normal. Told them no offense intended, but I effing hate going to the dentist.

All sorts of stuff impacts your blood pressure. But it’s resting blood pressure you’re supposed to be checking so check it same time of day every time and do it before you work out or life has you wound tight as a clock spring. And it can be thrown off if you’re stressed by being in a doctor office or some cute nurse is giving you an unintentional view down her shirt.

Taking your home unit with you to the doctor and having them verify it’s accuracy isn’t a bad idea, though. Getting your heart checked is swell but if your doctor isn’t concerned about your blood pressure, I wouldn’t be either.

 

[Siesta Sundance]

I check mine about once a week at home. Mostly because I have a touch of what my doctor calls “white cost syndrome”. Just going to the doctor increases my blood pressure. First time it was a bit too high at his office was at the end of a work day. Told him that was unusually high compared to my routine readings so we agreed next time I came in I’d bring my home unit and we’d make the appointment BEFORE work.

Next appointment he watched me check it, confirmed I was doing it right, then checked it the doctor way right behind me to make sure my home unit was reading correctly. It was fine then. I now take him a chart of home readings I take before work.

Worst case for me was visiting a new dentist several years ago. They read my blood pressure on the way in and told me I needed to go to the ER. Talked them into going through with the appointment and I’d go to the ER if it was still stupid high in the way out. They checked it on the way out and they were amazed it was perfectly normal. Told them no offense intended, but I effing hate going to the dentist.

All sorts of stuff impacts your blood pressure. But it’s resting blood pressure you’re supposed to be checking so check it same time of day every time and do it before you work out or life has you wound tight as a clock spring. And it can be thrown off if you’re stressed by being in a doctor office or some cute nurse is giving you an unintentional view down her shirt.

Taking your home unit with you to the doctor and having them verify it’s accuracy isn’t a bad idea, though. Getting your heart checked is swell but if your doctor isn’t concerned about your blood pressure, I wouldn’t be either.

Work stess will kill a man.

 

[NCL4701]

Work stess will kill a man.

True. One of many reasons I’m retiring at the end of 2023.

 

[D2Cat]

True. One of many reasons I’m retiring at the end of 2023.

Well then you are down to the short rows!!!! ENJOY

 

[GeoHorn]

A $75 heart CT scan can tell you if you have Atherosclerosis ( thickening or hardening of the arteries caused by a buildup of plaque in the inner lining of an artery. Risk factors may include high cholesterol and triglyceride levels, high blood pressure, smoking, diabetes, obesity, physical activity, and eating saturated fats)

YOu may not want to know you have it...but discovering it in-time can save your life. (A stent can be placed before heart muscle dies.)

Or you can just wait until that surprise heart-attack.

 

[Siesta Sundance]

Agree on getting a CT scan, physical stress test, the take home ekg to wear at night for a couple nights, all that.
I was very impressed with my cardiologist, very smart, and caring doctor.

He once told me, if a person has any slight fraction of anxiety, your heart and blood pressure is also f@cked!! And it's very taxing to your heart, like running a half marathon in only a few minutes.


I got checked out because I had irregular blood pressure when I was working. It was a high stress job and I could feel my heart hurting some days, my blood pressure was all over the place, troubled sleeping etc.

After getting a CT scan and other tests, and finding out my hearr is in great shape, I no longer worry about pushing myself (cardio wise) during certain farming activities like heavy chainsaw/tree work or separating out calves/cows, or moving a few thousand pounds of feed sacks or hand pitch fork 3 round bales off the side of the road etc.

Take care of yourselves folks; mentally, spiritualy and physically!