Blood Pressure

[Barsel]

Is there a way of working out what your blood pressure should be? If you are over 70 and suffer painful arthritis, your blood pressure wouldn't be the same as a young person who isn't in pain would it?

[woofgang]

Stress does raise blood pressure but I am not aware that chronic pain per se does, although I believe that some medications can have an effect. Whatever the cause, the point where it becomes of concern remains the same.

[dannyk13]

Plenty of info here:-
https://www.healthcheckup.com/general/normal-blood-pressure-for-men-over-fifty/#:~:text=Normal%20Blood%20Pressure%20Values%20For%20Adults%20%20,90%2

[Barsel]

danny, that's for men. Will it be the same for women?

[dannyk13]

Oops sorry, no it will be different for women this one gives both.
https://www.doctorshealthpress.com/heart-health-articles/blood-pressure-articles/what-is-normal-blood-pressure/#:~:text=Normal%20Blood%20Pressure%20Chart%20%20

[Barsel]

Thanks for the link danny, quite a bit of reading there but I will read it all. Do you check your own blood pressure at home?I am doing mine once a day (doctors orders!) When I have it done at the doctors, they do it 3 times and take the best of 3.When I do it myself I get a different reading each time even though I'm just sitting still and quiet. Last night it was 120/83, did it again straight away and it was 154/93 then 145/83 so I've no idea how you choose the best one.I'm hoping sqad might be around to help me understand it better.

[woofgang]

that might be the machine?

[woofgang]

Is it a cuff machine? do you remove the cuff and replace each time? Do you reset the machine? Does it worry you doing it?

[Barsel]

I did wonder that Togo but it's the same when I go to the GP's. Always thought mine would be more accurate as it's one that is plugged into the mains whereas the one the GP uses is run on batteries I expect. It isn't plugged in to the electric anyway.

[woofgang]

battery or mains isn't relevant to accuracy.

[Barsel]

Togo Yes No No Yes.:-) I will try switching it off between each 'take' and will remove cuff also.

[Apc2604]

Chronic pain causes stress. I can confirm that.

[Barsel]

Just thought that if battery is running low, it might not be as accurate.

[dannyk13]

Barsel, I check mine annually for a week which is forwarded to my GP and any time I feel as though it has gone up,
I have an Omron which is generally regarded as one of the best, but if you decide to get one make sure it is the one with the arm cuff, not the wrist.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/s?k=omron+blood+pressure+monitor&hvadid=80401819964653&hvbmt=be&hvdev=c&;hvqmt=e&tag=mh0a9-21&ref=pd_sl_9ksoocozd8_e

[Barsel]

Yes Apc2604 I thought I remember my rheumatologist telling me the pain from arthritis can increase BP so adding that to my age, I would like to know what my BP should be.

[Barsel]

Thanks danny. I have been thinking of replacing the one I have as I have had it for quite some time. I have heard the one you use is one of the better ones, but it would depend on the price.

[dannyk13]

You can get one for a reasonable price from E_bay
https://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=p1883.m570.l1313&_nkw=omron+blood+presure+monitor&_sacat=0

[woofgang]

Barsel battery ones, the kind that a GP is allowed to use because they can't pop down to Poundland and buy one, it has to be "proper", either work or they don't. Accuracy is not affected by battery state. Are the readings you get more or less what your doc got, have they been concerned by the variation, or concerned about your BP while you have been self monitoring?

[Barsel]

danny quite a variation in price. Do you think this one would be ok?
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Omron-M2-Basic-Digital-Automatic-Upper-Arm-Blood-Pressure-Monitor/402350132054?hash=item5dadefcb56%3Ag%3AihEAAOSwfvRfKXTW&LH_ItemCondition=1000

[Barsel]

Togo, they don't know my readings yet. GP is phoning me next Tuesday, but my readings are miles lower than they get. Last time she did it, it was 187/107! It's nothing like that when I do it.

[dannyk13]

Barsel, I don't see why not.