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BLOOD PRESSURE

N

NELLYBAX

Newbie
I have been monitoring my BP on a daily basis since May 2013..........my average Sys = 140 & Dia = 76.

I am T2 on Metformin, Rosuvastatin & healthy eating (ish??).

I have also monitored my BP by arm & the averages are Right Sys = 131 / Dia = 74 & Left Sys = 143 / Dia 77.

Is this difference anything to be concerned about?
 
In my opinion there is nothing to worry about there. Your numbers all look good.

I understand that you can get variations in the readings according to where you measure or your bodily attitude or even if someone in a white coat is taking the reading. I had high blood pressure until they took the nurse away and strapped on a 24 hour machine. It's all good now.
 
I don't think so. I read an article in a magazine a few years ago about differences in bp readings between each arm being a indicator of heart disease, as mine can vary between each arm I asked this same question to the British Heart Foundation and to the Consultant when undergoing tests back in 2011, they both said there's no strong evidence to suggest this and just to make sure that when I do take a home bp reading I should take it from the arm that gives the higher reading, if in doubt or worried you should ask your gp or give the BHF a ring yourself.
 
I thought I had read somewhere - think it might have been on the instructions with my BP machine - that you should take it on your left arm as this is the side that your heart is. For me it reads a bit higher on the left arm. Having said that at the GP surgery they take it on the right.....
 
I have suffered from high blood pressure for quite a few years and now have it under control with a combination of drugs. My doctor told me anything under 140/90 for me was good. My readings were in the 240/110. Your readings don't seem anything to worry about.

Sent from the Diabetes Forum App
 
Thanks to all whove replied up to pres. Its nice to know that other sufferers feel happy with these readings; which Ill carry on doing for my own & my GP's piece of mind.

BTW...just taken it now (2pm / 31' heat) after cleaning & hoovering whole house; still only 143/90!!!! but I am sweating now.........need a beer!!

Stay well.
 
NELLYBAX said:
BTW...just taken it now (2pm / 31' heat) after cleaning & hoovering whole house; still only 143/90!!!! but I am sweating now.........need a beer!!
/quote]


The combination of heat and cleaning would elevate anyone's bp, if I walk to the hospital or gp surgery to get bp taken they always ask me to rest for 10-15 mins before taking a reading.

The ideal bp reading for people with diabetes is 130/80 and anything over they normally look at ways of bringing it down, Blood Pressure UK has a good chart that gives you some examples of low, normal and high bp readings:

http://www.bloodpressureuk.org/BloodPre ... ssurechart
Click to expand...
 
Blood pressure is considered high if it is greater than 130/85 mm Hg.
It should be about the same if one has diabetes. In any case You should constantly monitor blood pressure because very often it has no visible syptoms.
 
When my blood pressure was taken at my surgery it was 148 over 80.

I thought that sounded a little high so I bought a home monitor from Lloyds pharmacy online.

It measured in an average week 125/75 which I was much happier with.

Someone on here said it could have been 'White Collar syndrome'.

I checked on the Which website and the one I bought came 2nd to one that cost over £70.

Mine had 5 stars for accuracy and generally high marks for everything else.

http://www.lloydspharmacy.com/en/blood- ... cuff-16309

The good thing about this particular monitor is that you order the cuff size you want and that is included in the price.

Other monitors send you a standard cuff size by default and you have to order the larger or smaller cuffs at the cost of usually £10 on top.

The Lloyds one has been reduced to £14.99 from £19.99 with £2.75 postage.
I was pleasantly surprised when it turned up as it is a really solid little monitor and very easy to use and it can store readings.

Bargain !!
 
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