Q: How do you achieve the most accurate Blood Pressure readings in general and when using Resperate?
A: In general, to get the most accurate blood pressure readings, take your blood pressure at that same time each day that you choose to measure your blood pressure. It does not matter if you measure your blood pressure in the morning, afternoon, or at night, but you must be consistent with the time you take your blood pressure.
The standards set for blood pressure were based on readings taken while in a seated position and while using the left arm. Therefore, it is best to follow the standards in order to be able to effectively compare your readings and understand if and how your blood pressure is progressing.
The most effective position is sitting quietly in a chair for five minutes with both feet resting on the floor. Take the measurement on your left arm and make sure your arm is comfortably supported, and not suspended. Keep in mind that the goal of taking a blood pressure measurement is to get a reading at a time in the day that most likely represents your blood pressure the majority of the day. Therefore, choose a time during the day that is representative of your typical daily activities, and not after unusual activities. Don’t take your blood pressure immediately after exercising, arguing, or coming home from a horrendous day at work.
If you own a Resperate, take a reading before usage for an accurate reading. After usage, your pressure will most probably show a much better reading than before usage of Resperate, because of the devices immediate soothing and calming effect. Therefore, after usage will not give you a proper indication on how your blood pressure is progressing.
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As an old heart researcher who used to teach medical students and physiologists how to measure BP and what it means, I would add the following. The left-arm recommendation is usually based on using the non-dominant arm, so lefties should use the right arm. Personally, I take it in both arms, non-dominant first. It is very important to have the arm positioned so that the location of the sensor in the cuff is at the same height as the heart. Otherwise, you can get a hydrostatic pressure artifact. If the arm is hanging too low, pressure will be somewhat elevated and vice-versa if its too high. This can be significant, as much as 10 mm Hg in either direction. If you’re on some new medication for HBP, you may want to take pressure readings first thing in the morning and late in the afternoon or before bed, i.e., before you take your medication. Don’t take it right after a meal since blood may pool in your gut, and you will get an artificially low reading. The second reading of the day will tell you how your medication is doing. You should do this for a couple of weeks after starting a new medication. When I first started using Resperate, I tracked my pressure daily for about a month and plotted the pressure readings. Amazingly, I measured a clear, almost linear decrease in both diastolic and systolic readings that totaled about 10 mm Hg each. Needless to say, I was impressed and had at least proved to myself (anecdotally, on a one case basis) that Resparate was really working for me.
I have tried them every which way as prescribed and as used in studies. First, I use only the OMRON brand tester. I follow the procedure previously mentioned as well. Since I am at the hypertenive border @ 140-150 over 90+ using 160mg of Diovan I keep striving to get down to the 120/80 range. It is sporadic that I am able to achieve that and go even lower. I take my reading before my 30 brisk walk and afterwards and notice up to a 20/15 drop in most cases. In the morning I awaken to 140/90 range sometimes and by 10:00 A.M. it is usually elevated higher. Later in the day aroud 4:00-5:00 it drops wat down to the teens over 75-85. Go figure. This is without any extraordinary stress factors! It wasn’t much different before the med’s?
what shoulb reading on resperate at end consider normal at age 58
I have been measuring BP three times daily since medication changes and purchasing a Resperate about three months ago.
I measure as described above, feet on the floor, five minutes, etc.
I notice that my mid-day reading is about 15-20 mm Hg higher than the morning and evening. Generally I take the morning reading first thing after rising, and the evening reading just after using Resperate (I noted what the article said about using it before).
Would it be fair to say that the mid-day reading is a more “true” indication of my blood pressure? Readings are trending down for all three, but the mid-day reading is still high 130’s / low 140’s for systolic. Morning and evening readings tend to be in the range of 120/75.
This pattern is well established, but I’m trying to understand whether I have gone far enough, or should consider increasing medication a bit further. I’ll be discussing this soon with my MD but I would like to hear your ideas on the significance of the daily pattern I’m seeing. If the morning reading is to be believed, I’m “in control,” if the mid-day reading is more significant, I’m not quite there yet.
One additional comment: Diastolic variation is between 75 and 80 so I’m less concerned about that.
I tossed my home monitor into the trash and now rely only on my (new) doctor to measure my blood pressure. Since I don’t obsessively measure it anymore it has become lower in the clinic as well. It is not ‘perfect’ but considering that all else is in good shape my doctor does not seem to be in a hurry to prescribe medication. Humans are not machines and even if the blood pressure is taken at the same time every day it may vary due to activity, food, illness, medications, temperature, etc. Especially when people are concerned about their elevated blood pressure just the thought of taking it, even at home, may cause enough anxiety to make it rise to the above acceptable level. My suggestion would be to leave it up to the doctor, provided you trust him/her, and not dabble with it at home.
What you suggest might be OK for someone with normal BP, but for someone with HBP, and taking meds for same, I think it’s well advised to take readings at home. After all, how often do you go to your doctor? I only see my PCP once or twice a year, so I’d hate to depend only on her readings in her office. Frankly, I depend more on myself than I do on the doctor, who seems to be primarily a pill-pusher.
Yes, I understand what you are saying. I too only visit my doctor about twice a year and she seems to be ok with leaving me for another half year to one year. At the last visit it was 138/78. I am 63. Blood-chemistry is perfect, low cholesterol, low triglycerides, normal weight, etc.
I took the home monitor to the clinic and the systolic pressure from the monitor was 20mg higher than the one taken with the sphygmomanometer. I don’t know who is right! But the high home reading stressed me out. Since I don’t measure my BP on a regular basis anymore I feel less stressed about my blood pressure.
There is a definite psychological effect to HBP. For some, including myself, just the thought of high BP is enough to produce an elevated reading. Try to relax as much as possible, meditate, do some deep breathing and the numbers will go down. Also agree that most folks with a concern should monitor at home for a “true” reading. The white coat effect can be so dramatic for some, like myself that it can prompt a misdiagnosis of hypertension at the doctors office.
I have noticed at different doctor offices that the training for the aide, nurse or even the doctor at times is very lack. Even the last trip to the e/r the blood pressure reading method was shoddy. The cuff was put on my right arm, I am right handed, but in the past it was stated it should be on the left. I was at th e/r both times for a/fib. The doctor offices it was taken in which ever arm, not the same at any time. my arm was hanging not resting on a table or any where else, this happens a lot. I have ever been sitting in a chair across the room from the blood pressure device, with the hose streached across the room. How would all this give a correct reading?
My cardios office does due it correctly and they are the treating office, but there is sure some shoddy training out there. And I do have the Resperat.
Dear Community,
In response to your comments and questions received during the past couple of weeks, we at LowerPressure summarized a collection of diverse reports, studies and articles about how best to achieve accurate BP readings. The summary provides many details and links to our sources that you may find very informative and helpful.
Here is the link to the summary: http://www.lowerpressure.com/the-best-way-to-achieve-accurate-bp-readings.
We look forward to your continued comments and questions.
Thank you,
LowerPressure Team