Quick Blood Pressure Question

[creekland]

I could google, except I'm expected outside to be helping with chores... so I thought I'd check here.  It can be quicker when I return.   :coolgleamA:

 

For about two years now I've been checking my bp periodically at home using a wrist cuff.  In the last couple of months there have been numerous times when the left arm is less than the right, but only the top (sys) reading.  The bottom and pulse are quite similar between left and right.  Is this a "replace the cuff" situation or ???  Can bp be different in readings like this?

 

For example - just now - right before heading out typing this... left was 99/58 pulse 72 and right was 122/54 pulse 73.

 

It just seems weird and happens often, but not all the time, perhaps more often than not though.

 

I've no idea if it would have done this for the whole two years.  I only tested my right arm after the first "wow is that low" compared to "my normal" reading on the left.  ;)  It never occurred to me to do it otherwise.

 

Is it time to buy a new cuff?  That's my guess, but just checking...

[creekland]

Hmm, it's always fun to stump the Hive.

 

But in general, coming in from chores all is equal again in the 110s/70s, so I'm assuming there's just some sort of glitch that happens fairly often with it and it needs replacing.  I doubt the lifespan of these things is all that long.  It's not like it was made back in the 50s or 60s when things were built to last.  ;)

[Laurie4b]

You said the left arm is always less than the right. Are you taking the pressure in the same sequence each time (ie left first, then right or vice versa), or are they still different  in the same direction when you mix that up? If one arm is always less than the other even when you are mixing up the sequence, I would tell your doctor. There could be something in the higher arm which is increasing the pressure. The other thing that could account for it is if you are right handed, for instance, you may not be able to get the cuff on the arm at the same tightness as when you put it on the left. Maybe have dh put it on you on both arms.., or.. still thinking: Do you sit quietly for 5 min before using the cuff? I wonder if it's possible that you are using the right arm more right before the bp. 

[JustEm]

Hmm my blood pressure is never the same in both arms and my Dr has never been concerned. He's only concerned when it's high and that only happens at the end of my pregnancies.

[creekland]

How long are you waiting between readings on each arm?

 

Not at all.  Are we supposed to?

 

You said the left arm is always less than the right. Are you taking the pressure in the same sequence each time (ie left first, then right or vice versa), or are they still different  in the same direction when you mix that up? If one arm is always less than the other even when you are mixing up the sequence, I would tell your doctor. There could be something in the higher arm which is increasing the pressure. The other thing that could account for it is if you are right handed, for instance, you may not be able to get the cuff on the arm at the same tightness as when you put it on the left. Maybe have dh put it on you on both arms.., or.. still thinking: Do you sit quietly for 5 min before using the cuff? I wonder if it's possible that you are using the right arm more right before the bp. 

 

I'll have to try mixing it up.

 

I've never really been looking for exact pressures.  I just got curious a couple of years ago when every single dr appt had my blood pressure high, but when I donated blood, it literally never was, so I figured I'd try it at home.  Home always agreed with the donating blood numbers.  But then one day it was just a bit lower than normal (meaning sys in the 90s rather than 100s or 110s) so I tried the right arm as an afterthought - and that was normal. (Upon repeating the left it was still low.)  It seemed weird, but WTH?

 

Then it happened again - and again, but not every time.  Some times are pretty darn close to the same still.

 

When it happened again tonight I thought I'd check with the all-knowing Hive before chucking it and buying another.  It just seems strange that the one number varies - yet not every time - and nothing else ever does, but then again technology has its own quirks that only the shadow comprehends.  When it works it's terrific.  When it doesn't it's puzzling.   :glare:

[MysteryJen]

If your cuff is old, probably time to replace. My bp is usually similar between arms, but only if I am very careful about placement and tightness of the cuff.

 

My cuff is 16 yrs old and still working well. If I were you, I might try the cuffs at a pharmacy just to check.

[creekland]

Hmm my blood pressure is never the same in both arms and my Dr has never been concerned. He's only concerned when it's high and that only happens at the end of my pregnancies.

 

Ok, that makes me feel better.  ;)  I really hadn't thought about it before, but just assumed it would be the same more or less anywhere in the body.  It was purely an experiment a couple of months ago that even put the subject in my mind.

 

I rarely have to worry about high - except at Dr offices.

[TCB]

There are conditions that can cause your blood pressure to be different in your arms so I would say that it is worth mentioning to your doctor just in case. Could well just be equipment or technique but worth a mention.

[Laurie4b]

Not at all.  Are we supposed to?

 

 

I'll have to try mixing it up.

 

I've never really been looking for exact pressures.  I just got curious a couple of years ago when every single dr appt had my blood pressure high, but when I donated blood, it literally never was, so I figured I'd try it at home.  Home always agreed with the donating blood numbers.  But then one day it was just a bit lower than normal (meaning sys in the 90s rather than 100s or 110s) so I tried the right arm as an afterthought - and that was normal. (Upon repeating the left it was still low.)  It seemed weird, but WTH?

 

Then it happened again - and again, but not every time.  Some times are pretty darn close to the same still.

 

When it happened again tonight I thought I'd check with the all-knowing Hive before chucking it and buying another.  It just seems strange that the one number varies - yet not every time - and nothing else ever does, but then again technology has its own quirks that only the shadow comprehends.  When it works it's terrific.  When it doesn't it's puzzling.   :glare:

 

Blood pressure can vary quite a bit from one minute to another. That is normal. That is not a bad cuff. bp is not a static number. It would also be normal for the left and right to have different readings even taken close together. The only thing that would be worthy of telling the doctor is if one side is always higher than the other even mixing it up. 

[Arctic Bunny]

I figure there must be a reason you're supposed to take it at the same time, on the same arm, sitting in the same position, and not talk while you're doing it, right?

[foxbridgeacademy]

As for it being higher at the Doctor's office, could that be White Coat Syndrome? 

[Joyofsixreboot]

Normal for arms to be different. Wrist cuffs are not very accurate.

[creekland]

Blood pressure can vary quite a bit from one minute to another. That is normal. That is not a bad cuff. bp is not a static number. It would also be normal for the left and right to have different readings even taken close together. The only thing that would be worthy of telling the doctor is if one side is always higher than the other even mixing it up. 

 

Sounds quite reasonable.  Thanks!  It doesn't always happen even not mixing it up, so it's not worrisome.  It's a curiosity since it's reasonably new and different.

 

No issues this morning though.  ;)

 

And I won't be checking it for a while after this morning... off to visit my mom today.

 

 

I figure there must be a reason you're supposed to take it at the same time, on the same arm, sitting in the same position, and not talk while you're doing it, right?

 

Is this how it's supposed to be done?  I can't remember any time at a doctor's office when the nurse and I haven't been talking and it's never been mentioned.

 

Oh well.  This isn't supposed to be official.  It's just to be certain readings from the doctor's office were the abnormality, not the blood donor ones.

 

Instructions vary for exactly how long, but you're supposed to wait at least one minute in between. Even doing that though, it's normal for a second measurement to be different from the first. It would be worthwhile to record your readings for a week or so, keeping track of which arm you're recording, and if it's first or second. If one arm is consistently more than 10mmHg higher than the other, then I would mention it to a doctor. Are you measuring in the same position for both, with your arms at heart level?

 

When I get back home, if it happens more often I'll do this.  All I know at this point is when it happens it's consistent - rechecking a few times ('cause as a science person, one data point doesn't count).  But it doesn't always happen.  It's just happened enough to ask a question about it.  ;)

 

As for it being higher at the Doctor's office, could that be White Coat Syndrome? 

 

Most likely.  One doctor had them check at the end of the appt once.  That reading was still high (130/something), but it was 20+ points lower than at the beginning.  That combined with home readings has us less concerned with it.

[tori@thehomefront]

I have had a lot of blood pressure issues, and was told by a specialist that the wrist type cuffs are not reliable and that you should always test on the same arm. Hth

[Zebra]

I have had a lot of blood pressure issues, and was told by a specialist that the wrist type cuffs are not reliable and that you should always test on the same arm. Hth

 

Me too.

 

Also, you have to sit quietly for 15 minutes before you take it, and you have to wait at least 3 minutes in between readings.

 

And, you have to wait 2 hours after exercising and eating....and you can't have to pee.  Or be terrified of the doctor, or having your blood pressure taken. 

 

Which is why I believe blood pressure, and what is an "acceptable reading" is far more complicated than doctors want to admit.... :laugh: !

[gardenmom5]

you could try a new cuff - but that probably wouldn't make a difference in different readings.

 

I would suggest you see your dr to report your findings. dominantly unequal BP can indicate circulatory problems.

 

eta: my normal BP used to be 90/60. (I HATE when the nurse runs the sphygometer up to 280 . . . . it *hurts*! my bp is never near that high anyway.)

drs not paying attention to something that isn't in the normal range, or saying it's nothing without any testing, doesn't impress me.  I've had times that HAS turned out to be something they should have paid attention to and treated.  they really just didn't have enough information,  but, instead of asking questions, they brush it off.  

 

and other times . .

(my friend's dd mentioned debilitating headaches to her dr . . . . he denigrated her. for two years.  only by the grace of God was she examined by another dr, ultimately determining she had a brain tumor that would have killed her if left alone.)

[Laurie4b]

 

 

 

Is this how it's supposed to be done?  I can't remember any time at a doctor's office when the nurse and I haven't been talking and it's never been mentioned.

 

 

 

I know. The nurses are often bad about chatting or asking medical questions while taking a bp. It makes for a higher reading. No clue why nurses are so nonchalant about getting an accurate reading, but that has been my experience, too. I just shake my head slightly and do not answer till after the bp is done. Another thing that will raise the pressure at the doctor's office is if your arm is greater than 13 inches in diameter and they use the smaller cuff. 

 

If you have white coat syndrome, it can mean that your bp goes up anytime you are anxious. That is something to keep an eye on. 

[Arctic Bunny]

I know. The nurses are often bad about chatting or asking medical questions while taking a bp. It makes for a higher reading. No clue why nurses are so nonchalant about getting an accurate reading, but that has been my experience, too. I just shake my head slightly and do not answer till after the bp is done. Another thing that will raise the pressure at the doctor's office is if your arm is greater than 13 inches in diameter and they use the smaller cuff.

 

If you have white coat syndrome, it can mean that your bp goes up anytime you are anxious. That is something to keep an eye on.

Isn't that crazy? Because the only reason I mentioned the not talking thing was because the nurse would always say, "Okay, sit quietly now." And so I asked her once, why? I figured that must be part of BP taking 101, if she knew!

[creekland]

I have had a lot of blood pressure issues, and was told by a specialist that the wrist type cuffs are not reliable and that you should always test on the same arm. Hth

 

It has definitely occurred to me that there would be no puzzle to contemplate if I just switch to testing my right arm only.  It's very consistent with readings.  With an unreliable method, that's probably my best bet, esp if I want to save money by not buying a new one yet still keep a little bit of an eye on things.

 

Me too.

 

Also, you have to sit quietly for 15 minutes before you take it, and you have to wait at least 3 minutes in between readings.

 

And, you have to wait 2 hours after exercising and eating....and you can't have to pee.  Or be terrified of the doctor, or having your blood pressure taken. 

 

Which is why I believe blood pressure, and what is an "acceptable reading" is far more complicated than doctors want to admit.... :laugh: !

 

Ok, I had absolutely no idea there were any of these rules.  They've never been issues in doctor offices.  I wonder if it only applies when there are problems?  Other than dr offices and maybe borderline issues if I've been sitting too long, my bp is never high.  Other than those 90's readings that are out of character with my left arm, they're never low either.  Actually though, is there such a thing as too low?  I guess there must be, but one never hears about it.

 

Y'all have me contemplating whether bp 101 should be a topic of study next time I'm bored with nothing to do but computer access.

 

you could try a new cuff - but that probably wouldn't make a difference in different readings.

 

I would suggest you see your dr to report your findings. dominantly unequal BP can indicate circulatory problems.

 

I don't think there's anything report-worthy.  My dr was concerned when it was high at his office, but once it came down so much at the end of the visit, it ended the concern.  I can't say I'm worried about anything - just curious - and right now the curiosity is satisfied for that part.  It's piqued a little about the whole subject though - mainly because it's a new subject for me - far deeper than I would have thought in the "how tos," etc.

 

If you have white coat syndrome, it can mean that your bp goes up anytime you are anxious. That is something to keep an eye on. 

 

Fortunately, there's very, very little that causes me to stress out.  ;)  Dr appts are the biggie, but I like to think I'm improving with those.  I'm not positive it's true, but I still like to think so nonetheless.

[luuknam]

It has definitely occurred to me that there would be no puzzle to contemplate if I just switch to testing my right arm only. 

 

Other than those 90's readings that are out of character with my left arm, they're never low either.  Actually though, is there such a thing as too low?  I guess there must be, but one never hears about it.

 

I thought I'd heard that the left arm is preferable, but I could be wrong. I've never had an issue with high blood pressure (hypertension).

 

And yes, low blood pressure (hypotension) does exist:

 

http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/low-blood-pressure/basics/definition/con-20032298

 

The ultimate low blood pressure would be 0/0, which would be very very very bad (okay, you'd be dead). Normal low blood pressure would just cause lightheadedness and the like.

 

And then there's orthostatic hypotension, which means your blood pressure doesn't keep up with you going from sitting to standing, with the resultant lightheadedness etc. Fun stuff.

[creekland]

I thought I'd heard that the left arm is preferable, but I could be wrong. I've never had an issue with high blood pressure (hypertension).

 

And yes, low blood pressure (hypotension) does exist:

 

http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/low-blood-pressure/basics/definition/con-20032298

 

The ultimate low blood pressure would be 0/0, which would be very very very bad (okay, you'd be dead). Normal low blood pressure would just cause lightheadedness and the like.

 

And then there's orthostatic hypotension, which means your blood pressure doesn't keep up with you going from sitting to standing, with the resultant lightheadedness etc. Fun stuff.

 

Hey, I just wrote to you in the FB thread that I'm on a fun trip right now, reminiscing with my family and old classmates in my hometown.  I already have to dismiss what you wrote about being in college when FB was around (as opposed to my attending my 30th high school reunion) and now you want me to click on/google other health issues?   :lol:

 

I'm going to trust that my bp is not 0/0 at the moment and still run off to Canada today.   :coolgleamA:

 

You need to read what I write far more quickly.   :lol:

 

Definitely take that in the light-hearted manner it was written with!

 

(But when I'm home and bored and puzzling about how things fit together I'll appreciate your link... My mind pretty much just treated bp as sort of a "make sure the patient is still alive" test before.  I know high is bad - my parents have that - along with multiple other things, but that's about all I really know as evidenced by my "huh?" reactions to some of what's been posted on here.

 

The testing the right arm only thought comes along with the "do I really want to know" option since the right arm never varies - only that one reading with the left arm - sometimes - enough sometimes to go WTH(?).  I suspect yesterday morning may (as in "not sure") have been one of those times, but today shouldn't be.   :D )

[luuknam]

Hey, I just wrote to you in the FB thread that I'm on a fun trip right now, reminiscing with my family and old classmates in my hometown.  I already have to dismiss what you wrote about being in college when FB was around (as opposed to my attending my 30th high school reunion) and now you want me to click on/google other health issues?   :lol:

 

I'm going to trust that my bp is not 0/0 at the moment and still run off to Canada today.   :coolgleamA:

 

You need to read what I write far more quickly.   :lol:

 

 

Hey, even if your blood pressure is 0/0 and you're still like running off to Canada, power to you. I wonder if vampires etc have blood pressure.

 

I went to bed write after writing that post, because you know, kids like me get sent to bed at a reasonable hour. :svengo:

 

If you don't have any issues with lightheadedness or similar, you're unlikely to suffer from hypotension.

[creekland]

Hey, even if your blood pressure is 0/0 and you're still like running off to Canada, power to you. I wonder if vampires etc have blood pressure.

 

I went to bed write after writing that post, because you know, kids like me get sent to bed at a reasonable hour. :svengo:

 

If you don't have any issues with lightheadedness or similar, you're unlikely to suffer from hypotension.

 

I don't think hypotension is a problem.  Anything else I'm not writing on here and I'll have to do some reading/experimenting at home to see if the pieces fit together or not.  In the meantime I'll just assume it's a machine issue.  ;)

 

Meanwhile... I'm waiting on the old folks to get ready.  I still count myself among the young whippersnappers... normally I'm off to bed at a reasonable hour too!  Even when it's not a reasonable hour, my mornings don't change.  There are certain things my body insists upon and being up in the morning is one of those.

 

At home there are so many things I can do.  At someone else's house... I'm glad there's Wifi!

[luuknam]

Meanwhile... I'm waiting on the old folks to get ready.  I still count myself among the young whippersnappers... normally I'm off to bed at a reasonable hour too!

 

Actually, last night I stayed up late. I didn't go to bed until my wife told me "lights out!". At 1am. Which is very unusual. More often I'll be in bed at 10 or 11 at the latest and my wife will go to bed at 3 or 4 or even 5am. Which sometimes wakes me up... and if not, the kids will wake me up at 7.

 

And yes, of course it's just the stupid machine giving inaccurate readings. :)

[MedicMom]

(1). Those home wrist cuffs are so inaccurate it's crazy. We get a lot of people who take their blood pressure on them, freak out at the number and call 911. Their BP is invariably fine.

(2). I might mention it just because it can be a sign of circulatory and some other problems. If it isn't happening all the time though I wouldn't worry.

(3). It is normal to have different blood pressures, just not wildly different

(4) did I mention how inaccurate those things are?

[creekland]

(1). Those home wrist cuffs are so inaccurate it's crazy. We get a lot of people who take their blood pressure on them, freak out at the number and call 911. Their BP is invariably fine.

(2). I might mention it just because it can be a sign of circulatory and some other problems. If it isn't happening all the time though I wouldn't worry.

(3). It is normal to have different blood pressures, just not wildly different

(4) did I mention how inaccurate those things are?

 

It takes a bit to freak me out, so no worries there.

 

Hubby and I have an agreement that when I can't actually stand up or walk any longer it's ok to call for assistance.  Anything else it's NOT ok (and I don't tell him what's going on when something is "off" until well after the fact - just in case).

 

We also have an agreement that if "whatever" kills me it's ok to ask them to find out what was going on in an autopsy.  At least then, he might know.   :lol:  (Most days I have no worries about this.  Occasionally it would be welcome!)

 

The latest test results from a new dr came back normal.  She more or less tracked me down - on a weekend - here in NY (but only because we have our home phone forwarded - she had no idea of our location in reality - she just called our house).  That wasn't a surprise as the test results were online anyway and I'd already read them.  Beyond that, she's out of ideas.

 

There's one more dr appt coming up relatively soon but I don't have high hopes to be honest.

 

So, that will leave me back with the puzzle pieces and trying to figure them out.  I'll google this one to get an education and update to better equipment, then see if anything gets more consistent when I actually know more of what I'm doing.

 

That won't be until mid Aug to be honest.  We have one more trip planned first - shortly after we finish this one - so it's definitely "faulty equipment" until then.  ;)  Trips help me keep my sanity.  Sometimes, that's pretty important.   :coolgleamA:

[creekland]

Just musing... if I end up with another day like yesterday was "issue-wise" I might just let the Hive have a crack at it.  Many of you are pretty darn knowledgeable and this is one area where I'm not, in spite of a year's worth of trying to catch up via google plus involving a few doctors.

 

Fortunately, today is a bit better (so far).

 

Some puzzles are fun.  Others aren't.   :glare:

 

(NO clue if BP was an issue with the issues or not - nothing here to check with - even substandard equipment.  Trips are supposed to be distracting enough to not care about such things!)