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Blood pressure and diabetes

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witan

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When I was first diagnosed my doctor was more worried by my 180/90 BP than my fasting BG of 18.

Meds and diet have got the BG under reasonably good control - but from 180/90 to 160/88 on 2.5mg ramipril, to 145/85 on 5mg Ramipril and 145/85 on 10mg Ramipril this one seems more difficult to improve.

I have just started a low carb diet and yesterday got a (LLoyds Pharmacy) BP testing machine.

First results last night were 120/89 pulse 69 and this morning 117/86 pulse 89.

Specification shows a +/-3mm Hg accuracy

Has my new diet had an effect already? Or is there a big conflict between this method and the traditional glass tube used by the doctor? And why is the diastolic pressure still struggling to come down and the pulse so high - perhaps I should go and think calm thoughts...
 
May be "white coat syndrome", sometimes you can get around this by getting the doctor to take an immediate reading, then another a few minutes later.

My BP came down on a gradual curve with my BG control, the only time I saw a rapid step was with a change of medication.

I had a 24 hour monitor once and the results closely resembled my random readings from my own meter so I'm happy with its reliability in general. You''ll probably find it goes up and down a lot in different circumstances, so keep checking for the Big Picture.
 
The Sphygmomanometer ( glass u tube) used by the doctor is by far the most accurate measure. I once took my little Omron to the doctor's with me to do a comparison and found mine is just a little low in readings.
My Bp has come down from 175/150 to 120/75 as my weight has come down. I still take the tablets. The BP is probably the bigger risk of something sudden happening. I had a stroke on 4th. July 2003 :shock: Diabetic happenings tend to develop slowly.
 
I'm with Hana on this one.the sphyg.is by far the best BP monitor.Those little ones for wrists have too many variables.For instance your arm must be in the right position,you must not move ,even slightly ,otherwise it registers higher.Too many variables for accuracy for me.
 
Hi Witan,
Have you considered the dreaded White Coat Syndrome being the reason for raised BP when at the Docs. It happens to me, a visit to the Docs or hospital sends mine soaring it took 24hr monitering with a monitor provided by the surgery to reveal WCS was the culprit. When I go for my check ups they are happy to accept my home monitered BP results, I use an Omron Bp meter which my Doc approves of.

Regards Graham

I see Trinks just posted a similar story to mine.
 
With a spec of +/-3mm Hg the variability must be in the method adopted by the user.

I knew that thing was a sphyg.... but daren't even attempt to spell it :D

Even with some doubt I am going to assume my systolic reading has come down a bit, but any ideas on the diastolic and pulse rate?
 
witan said:
With a spec of +/-3mm Hg the variability must be in the method adopted by the user.

I knew that thing was a sphyg.... but daren't even attempt to spell it :D

Even with some doubt I am going to assume my systolic reading has come down a bit, but any ideas on the diastolic and pulse rate?
Click to expand...

Hi again Witan,
The following link is from the saga site:

http://www.saga.co.uk/health/healthyliv ... serate.asp
 
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