BP monitor - how to check calibration?
On 23/09/2017 10:07, alan_m wrote:
On 23/09/2017 09:09, Harry Bloomfield wrote:
Andrew Gabriel wrote :
Yes, they tried reading my blood pressure just before shoving a
camera up where the sun don't shine. Strangley, it was alarmingly
high. Measuring again afterwards found it was normal. They found
this surprising for some reason - I didn't.
I now have three BP monitors and my own measured pressure varies quite
wildly. It seems I can cause the 'white coat syndrome' just taking the
measurements myself. I can take the first measurement, then a second
check within seconds of the first, will find the sys has increased by
20 to 30mmHg.
A big surprise for me, was how my pressure can fall from its usual
values, if I check it directly after even a slight amount of exercise,
such as doing some vacuuming the house, or after having walked 100
yards home from the bus. Measuring it right after a soak in a bath,
produces the lowest readings. I rather expected the opposite effect, a
large increase in pressures measured.
If you are going to take two readings within seconds do one on your
right arm and the second on your left arm.* I haven't got the
instructions in front of me but I seem to remember reading that when
repeating tests on the same arm you are meant to leave it for a few
minutes with the cuff removed before the repeat measurement.
A quick google confirms that BP tends to fall after some exercise.
What is more telling with exercise is the heart rate and how long it
takes to come back to a low (at rest) reading after exercise.
From the Omron manual on their web site
To take a measurement, you need to be relaxed and comfortably seated,
under comfortable room temperature. Avoid bathing, drinking alcohol or
caffeine, smoking, exercising or eating 30 minutes before taking a
measurement.
Wait 2-3 minutes before taking another measurement. Waiting between
measurements allows the arteries to return to the condition prior to
taking a measurement.
The arm cuff should be placed on your arm at the same level as your heart
--
mailto: news {at} admac {dot] myzen {dot} co {dot} uk
|