Blood Pressure

[jennyjoan]

If your doctor is doing your blood pressure - is it the same reading for everyone or depends on age,weight etc - it is different

[teacake44]

Different for male and female, also can be different per your age.

[teacake44]

If you google blood pressure you can see a chart Age group, ie normal high normal, average for age etc.

[Prudie]

Really? I can understand the interpretations of results taking those factors in but surely the numbers are just the numbers whoever you are? GPs don't change the setting on the machine once they've assessed the patient before they take the reading do they?

[barry1010]

http://www.bloodpressureuk.org/your-blood-pressure/understanding-your-blood-pressure/what-do-the-numbers-mean/

[barry1010]

It's the same for all adults

[Barsel]

No it isn't. They don't expect an old man or woman have the same BP as a young fit person. They take your age into account and possibly other factors.

[teacake44]

^^ correct!! also Physiologic difference in female cardiovascular system compared to men.

[Sqad]

Prudie @1837 is correct........the figures ( which seem to change on a regular basis) are just that......figures for a normal healthy person.
The effects of obesity, age etc are due to structural changes e.g reduction of blood flow due to fatty deposits.

[DTCwordfan]

general rule on our tender age is no more than 140/90.....so 120 over 75 is quite respectable.

[Barsel]

The nurse wrote down on a piece of paper what my BP should be when taken at home, 140/80.
It is always higher than that when taken at the doctors because they just let you sit down after walking down a long corridor before you get your breath back and take it there and then.

[teacake44]

As far as I know there's one setting on a BP machine zero, then you take it.

[teacake44]

Its always a good idea barsel to take 3 reading within about 10/15 mins, at home, that will give you a good average.

[Sqad]

Teacake @1903........Good advice.

[Barsel]

I sometimes do that teacake, but at the doctors, they don't wait, they do it one after the other 3 times and then take the best reading.
I've been getting good readings recently so the tablets I'm taking must be doing a good job.

[Vagus]

I’ve been told by my gp to take it three times at home, with a few minutes in between, throw away the first two readings and take note of the third.

[237SJ]

I was told by my GP to stick my arm in the self service blood pressure thingy in their reception area and let him know the result. He didn't seem too bothered by taking averages from multiple attempts.

[teacake44]

Normally the three readings is advice for people doing it at home on their own machines, that may or may not be so accurate, plus its important to have wrapped the arm band round in a firm way but not over tight. By taking three readings you can then present an average to your doctor over a period of time when you next visit the surgery. Either way its giving the doctor at least some readings over a longer period to work with, they are obviously looking for very high or very low readings. Most doctors will take just one reading at the surgery when you visit, and may in their own experience deduct a percentage if they feel you are on edge due to your visit, but they also have to take into consideration your present health problems at that time, ( if any) I would think its all about doctors having past experience, and some still prefer the old type BP kit.