Home blood pressure monitor

I’ve just been to the GP for a blood test, and had my Blood Pressure measured while I was there. I was amazed at the machine the nurse used. It was done in what seemed like seconds, and I didn’t notice the usual crushing sensation on my upper arm.
What I should have done was asked what type of machine it was, and whether they are buyable for home use. I think I was too busy sitting with my mouth open in surprise!
I’ve been trawling the internet to try and identify whether something similar is available from Boots, for preference.
Does anyone have any knowledge about these things? I’d certainly like to replace our conventional machine, as I hate the feeling that my hand is about to blow up!

 

I have got one that goes on your wrist. I measures blood preasure and heart rate. It is a Beurer make. It is actually classed as a heart rate moniter.

 

Hi,

There are so many makes of BP meters, though not heard of one thats so different from what you experienced?
You might find an answer here -
How to choose a blood pressure monitor

For home use the Omron brand is always top of many lists and used in many surgeries.

We have literally just replaced our seven year old Omrom M3 Comfort with the latest version, the best price was from Argos then the BHF.
https://www.argos.co.uk/product/7518258

Wonder if yours was a Comfort type which helps locate/fit the cuff properly and so avoids pinching ?
If you do have a very large upper arm check your meter has a larger cuff to suit.

For reliable BP measurements for taking your own readings acceptable for the GP, eg a 7 day average, stick to an upper arm type, all other home types eg wrist and finger are less accurate and your GP may not accept them.

 

Thanks for the responses. Definitely want an upper arm one. I have regular sized arms, so the cuff size on the ‘comfort’ cuff would be fine.
The reviews of the Omron M3 sound very good, and consistent with my experience at the surgery. The speed of obtaining the reading was a real surprise. I usually find the sensation and noise from the pressure pumping up to be very uncomfortable, probably puts my bp up on its own! Didn’t notice any discomfort at all, and it was done before I realised the nurse had started! They have stock at our local Argos.

 

We have been using a Lloyds Pharmacy one, which is a bit old now. But two weeks ago hubby had his BP measured at the doctors and it was 168/111. So he was ordered to start tablets straight away. He was given Amlopidine and has since been quite poorly with the side effects. So he rang the doc and said he refused to take any more. He was having missed heart beats too so doc said to go to A&E if they continue. Well they aren't so bad now he's not on anything. Dreadful tablets. Tomorrow he starts some different ones, Ramipril, just hope these are better.

So be warned about what tablets you may be offered.

Doing BP readings daily. Also check your pulse is steady.

We will probably see what Boots has to offer.

 

I have a Tatung monitor that goes on the Wrist.
I take one Amiodipine 10 mg & one Lisinopril 10 mg. I have no problems
taking these tablets. I check each day and only take the tablets when the
monitor shows over 135/70.

 

Can feel some pressure through the cuff, but almost every time its slight, not the strong grip or pinching I know you can get from some gp machines.

Our original machine seemed quiet enough, but this new one is even quieter.
The M3 Comfort does have some good extra features, showing if any Arrhythmias were detected like @cactus_girl mentions above.
It also has indicators to show the cuff has inflated properly and shows if your reading is above or below the 'norm'.

@cactus_girl we do know that both new tablets or simply the stess of the BP situation can cause Arrhythnias, hopefully the new tablets should sort things out, though it can take some time to get the tablet and its strength established, there are quiet a few different types.

What we found was helpful for our GP and a friend who worked in the hospital heart dept was to record the Arrhthmia on our phone so they could see the actual trace.
Quiet a few free App, you just hold your finger on the phones camera lens or sensor etc.

 

We are no medics, and like they say if its works for you ....

but do know that generally its best to take such tablets regularly as suddenly stopping them can cause real problems.

If taking them all the time gives you problems sound like you need you dosage adjusting as our bodies/needs do change with time.

 

I've been on blood pressure medication for years, its always been something you take regularly each day, I've never heard of taking it only on the basis of a pressure reading, sounds a bit odd to me as most medications need a few weeks to really get into you system before they work properly . Or at least that is what my doctor has always told me.

 

A lot of info there @ricky101 and @john558 - thanks.

The M3 machine looks good and I shall have to investigate the apps too.

Taking Amlopidine 5mg for 10 days resulted in a BP drop from 167 to 140. That's quite a drop. No wonder hubby was dizzy, falling asleep and generally feeling awful. His heart missing beats stressed him even more. I'm not sure why the surgery did not pick up on this. He could not continue to function and has felt better in the last few days on no tablets. So we'll see what happens tomorrow, when he starts the new ones.

 

Amlopidine pills are easily split in half by pressing them against the edge I'd a square countertop.

That worksed well with one of my friends and the doctor also advised to take it before bed.. NOT in the morning. The time issue was the problem solver.

 

That sounds a very good idea @CanadianLori - hubby did think of halving the new ones he's been given. He had been taking them at 10am and felt worst late afternoon. Our GP has not been very helpful at all. I did read that if you took them at night you may experience rather low BP (in bed?).

 

@cactus_girl think the drop from 167 to 140 shows the tablets were starting to work well in that respect though seems many react badly in different ways to these type of tablets and need to find the right one.

We intially had problems with ours but they were bearable and eventually subsided.

What we learnt about taking the BP, its much better to do regular readings twice a day at similar times and over a 7 day period as one off readings can be skewed high due to so many little things, even worse when under the stress of high pressure problems.

Assuming and hoping you soon get things on a stable footing, rather than odd single BP readings, its good practice to do a typical 7 day chart like below which has tips on taking the readings.
At the end of 7 days you Average all the reading to produce the final figure the surgery uses.

https://www.bloodpressureclinic.ed....oms/files/home_blood_pressure_diary_final.pdf

 

After having a triple bypass my hubby was put onto Ramipril, unfortunately it didn't do anything to regulate his BP so he was then prescribed Amlodipine which worked. However, he still has to take the Ramipril for some reason. Works in a different way apparently. Re BP monitors, I was surprised to hear that they don't last for years and need replacing or maybe regulating. We have an Omron these days which seems to do the job.

 

Not knowing how they work makes me slightly suspicious about how accurate these home blood pressure gadgets are.