4 September 2023
The cuff on the other BP Monitor (below) was playing silly buggers on me. It was much cheaper to inexpensively buy a new machine than replace the cuff (go figure!)
I now use one of these wrist version ones instead.
10 August: My GP has decided to put me on Valsartan (Diovan): 320 mg once daily to lower my Blood Pressure - and I'm fine with that, honest!
2 May 2023
My GP has decided to put me on Valsartan (Diovan): 160 mg once daily, for my Blood Pressure - and I'm fine with that, honest!
16 March 2023
My GP would like to keep an eye on my blood pressure... it's only a little bit high (I don't exercise enough with not enough daily walks, let's face it!), but he's not concerned about it - he just wants to keep an eye on it. I guess I've finally arrived at that age now [grins]. This arrived at my door just four days after I ordered it - thanks to a very inexpensive purchase thru eBay ($30.89 Australian or €19.37 or $20.55 US or £17.01 or $28.26 Canadian... much MUCH less than I had anticipated, thankfully).
(Specs)
I can email my GP once a week my daily results done right here at home. Too easy!
The Monitor is a really good one, and it even comes with its own instructional video (below)!
It's really easy to use - even I can do it! Yay!
Taking your own Blood Pressure: Tips
Before you measure your blood pressure
- Don't measure your blood pressure right after you wake up. You can prepare for the day, but don't eat breakfast or take medications before measuring your blood pressure.
- If you exercise after waking, take your blood pressure before exercising.
- Don’t eat or drink anything 30 minutes before you take your blood pressure. Avoid food, caffeine, tobacco and alcohol.
- Empty your bladder before your reading. A full bladder can increase blood pressure slightly.
- Wear loose-fitting clothes. Wear a short-sleeved t-shirt or something with sleeves you can push up easily, nothing tight. This is so that you can fit the cuff around your arm.
- Rest for five minutes before you take your reading. Sit down somewhere quiet, ideally at a desk or table. Have your back supported with your arm resting on a firm surface and your feet flat on the floor. Stay in this position while you take your blood pressure.
- Make sure you are relaxed and comfortable. If you are anxious or uncomfortable, your blood pressure will rise temporarily.
(Source)
(Source)
How to Measure your Blood Pressure at Home using a Monitor
- Follow the instructions that came with your monitor. Make sure you place the cuff around your arm as described in the instructions.
- Place the arm cuff just above your elbow. The cuff should be about 2cm above your elbow to make sure it can detect the artery in your arm, just under the skin. Make sure the blood pressure cuff is snug but not too tight. The cuff should be against your bare skin, not over clothing. A rolled-up sleeve that's tight around your arm can affect the reading. You may need to slip your arm out of the sleeve.
- Sit in a comfortable chair with your back supported for at least 5 minutes before your reading. Sit quietly before and during monitoring. Your back should be supported against a chair. Try to be calm and not think about stressful things.
- Put both feet flat on the ground, and keep your legs and ankles uncrossed, as this will raise your reading too.
- Always use the same arm when taking your blood pressure.
- Make sure your arm is supported and at the same level as your heart. Position yourself so that your arm is resting on a surface and is at the same height as your heart. Rest your arm, raised to the level of your heart, on a table, desk or chair arm. You might need to place a pillow or cushion under your arm to raise it high enough.
- Keep your arm and hand relaxed, not tensed.
- Keep still and quiet while you take your reading. Moving, chewing, talking and laughing can affect your reading.
- Take two or three readings, each about one to two minutes apart. If your first reading is much higher than the next, ignore it and take an extra reading. Once you have two to three readings, you can work out the average.
- Keep a record of your measurements. Record all your readings in the memory of your monitor, on your computer or phone or on paper – whichever you prefer. Write them down exactly as they appear on the screen.
Also: Blood Pressure Monitor
Peas be with ewe
Mal
Mal
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