At last

[Sqad]

http://www.dailymail....st-patients-told.html

Common sense prevails.

[daffy654]

How is the NHS supposed to afford the equipment to have people monitor their own BP at home?
I agree with the idea in principle but it is a cost they cannot really afford.

[Sqad]

daffy the NHS?..... people will have to do something for themselves........buy one.

Cut down your smoking and drinking for a week to pay for your monitor.

[lorri24601]

could not agree more squad, from personal experience im really pleased this is finally being addressed,im sure there are many people out there taking medication they really don`t need .

[Old_Geezer]

Surely a pool of loan equipment isn't that large an expense.

[rsvp]

ah but that sqad, is telling people to take charge of their own lives and do something for themselves - many just want to be told what to do and then have some one else do it for them.

[Sqad]

rsvp ;-)

[dennisb66]

Not new.my wife's doctor fitted her with one of these 2/3 years ago to wear for 24 hours.

[Sqad]

dennis...in my opinion that is the exception rather than the rule.

Was it your GP or your OH's Consultant?

[dennisb66]

As you say Sqad probably an exception,it was her doctor when she attended for her annual blood checkup.I didn't get one when I went a month later.

[Sqad]

denn,,,,you BP must have been normal, so not much point in monitoring your pressure

[LazyGun]

Yep, sensible idea.
Mind you, judging by commentary that people in general struggle on a daily basis with the technology of video recorders, microwaves etc, I now have visions of artificially high blood pressure readings induced by "technology anxiety" :)

[Sqad]

Lazygun ;-)

[bednobs]

i thought you didn't believe in white coat syndrome sqad?

[Sqad]

bednobs...I never "quite" said that.....I said that it was an over diagnosed entity and that i wasn't a fan of the diagnosis.

[slaney]

Agree - good idea.
The NICE guidelines are based on this Lancet study, and are meant to be cost effective - savings made on drug costs/monitoring etc.

http://www.thelancet....6(11)61184-7/abstract

[RATTER15]

I have High blood pressure and I am on medication for it, my BP is always lower when I take it at home. we have three BP monitors at home and I keep a record of my BP for a week or two before going to the GP.

My BP meds work a treat for me (when I remember to take them)

[Mamyalynne]

I would agree in principle but having had the 24 hour monitor, I found it very stressful and was constantly watching the clock for the next 'squeeze'.