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I've got an Omron wrist type, and a cuff type, and they never agree. I've taken to picking the reading I like best and going with that. That way I get to keep eating bacon. 
Will Rogers never met me.
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Quote: but I don't trust it. Can anyone tell me why:
You can also control your blood pressure so it is not a very good way of measuring "health."
There are only 10 types of people in the world, those who understand binary and those who don't.
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I have it also and am taking medication which seems to control it well. Last test at the surgery showed mine to be in the 'normal' range. My wife has a home monitor and gets similar results to those you see. You need to take a lot of measurements over a 3 to 4 week period and then try a straight line graph between them. But it is always best to get it checked by the doctor or practice nurse for proper measurement, especially using the old fashioned mercury machines.
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Readings can vary due to a number of factors. Muscle tenseness, heart rate, how hydrated you are, body position, whether you just too k a deep breath or even time of day.
A properly applied cuff and of course using the right size can result in good reading. Digital BP meters can vary and are not generally as accurate as the manual mercury or aneroid sphygmomanometers but they are easier to use . However, one reading does not provide an accurate picture of vascular health, a record of BP measurements provides a better picture because BP can spike when someone is stressed or has just finished exercising. An overall record of higher readings can indicate hypertension.
Measuring BP on the upper arm is more readable than say the leg or forearm because of the size of the arteries as they enter the arm, mainly the brachial artery on the inside of the arm which is closer to the surface. In any case is probably more safe than say wrapping a cuff around your neck.
If you want accurate readings you can insist on having an intravenous pressure bulb placed into one of your arteries, but that can cause some discomfort.
It was broke, so I fixed it.
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Try this monitor Omron Auto Blood Pressure Monitor with Large Cuff[^]
I don't know why two sucessive readings can be so different but I do observe that also. My readings usually come down after waiting a few minutes. Maybe I am not relaxed enough when I first take them but waiting a few minutes without any physical activity usually results in a lower reading.
The report of my death was an exaggeration - Mark Twain
Simply Elegant Designs JimmyRopes Designs
I'm on-line therefore I am.
JimmyRopes
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The instructions say take the average of three consecutive readings from the same machine, using the same seating position, and same time of day and then plot those across time to look for the trend, down or up. Them most important thing is to trend down if you are high, not to know what it is.
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I have a machine that will give the average of the last three readings - but that's not really sufficient to get the true value. You need to keep taking reading every few minutes until the value stabilizes. This is usually a lower number than the earlier readings. The remainder of your comments is correct. I've been told that ideally the arm with the cuff is held to the same level as your heart. Easy if someone's holding it for you - not so much if you're doing it yourself. Using the same chair (=chair arm support) gives me consistency.
Hint: don't have the TV or Radio on, particularly with the news: you systolic reading could spike quite easily based upon what insanity you just heard.
| "The difference between genius and stupidity is that genius has its limits." - Albert Einstein | | "As far as we know, our computer has never had an undetected error." - Weisert | | "If you are searching for perfection in others, then you seek disappointment. If you are seek perfection in yourself, then you will find failure." - Balboos HaGadol Mar 2010 |
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6 fit 4, 260 lbs, sw enginer, late 40s, till a few months back a smoker, non sporting, basically, a slob, and last year I had my BP taken as part of a check up, 104 over 57. I don't know why it read low, perhaps I was feeling relaxed at the time, but my lifestyle doesn't merit it that's for sure!
"The whole idea that carbon dioxide is the main cause of the recent global warming is based on a guess that was proved false by empirical evidence during the 1990s." climate-models-go-cold
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Sometimes, based upon your genetics, your BP remains quite nice until your circulatory system begins to lose its flexibility. Then up goes the pressure.
| "The difference between genius and stupidity is that genius has its limits." - Albert Einstein | | "As far as we know, our computer has never had an undetected error." - Weisert | | "If you are searching for perfection in others, then you seek disappointment. If you are seek perfection in yourself, then you will find failure." - Balboos HaGadol Mar 2010 |
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Yes, that sounds likely.
"The whole idea that carbon dioxide is the main cause of the recent global warming is based on a guess that was proved false by empirical evidence during the 1990s." climate-models-go-cold
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It could be that, like me, the vast quantity of ethanol you consume keeps you relaxed. 
Will Rogers never met me.
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They say red wine is good for you, and god knows I consume prodigious quantities of the stuff. 
"The whole idea that carbon dioxide is the main cause of the recent global warming is based on a guess that was proved false by empirical evidence during the 1990s." climate-models-go-cold
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I was put on blood pressure medication some years ago as a 'precaution'. I have always had higher than average blood pressure, even at my fittest but no idea why. No family history. Anyway, have a couple of blood pressure monitors and go through phases of suing them. Cardiologist told me to take the average of three readings. I have largish arms so had to buy a large cuff which made a difference to the readings.
I also have white-coat syndrome: when I go to get my blood pressure taken at the docs it always goes up!
Anyway, I was also told (after an MRI some years ago) that I appeared to have very large arteries! Perhaps that's why the pressure is higher! Who knows? End of the day, take the pills, watch the diet (never been a lover of salt anyway) and don't worry about it. 
"If you think it's expensive to hire a professional to do the job, wait until you hire an amateur." Red Adair.
Those who seek perfection will only find imperfection
nils illegitimus carborundum
me, me, me
me, in pictures
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mark merrens wrote: I also have white-coat syndrome: when I go to get my blood pressure taken at the docs it always goes up!
Me too. 
The report of my death was an exaggeration - Mark Twain
Simply Elegant Designs JimmyRopes Designs
I'm on-line therefore I am.
JimmyRopes
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I am in my mid forties, have high BP and have been on medication for a long time. The size of the cuff is very important (as many postings have said) so measure your arm and get the right cuff. My latest one came from lloyds pharmacy (UK) and seems to do the job well. The cuffs can be purchased separately so having multiple cuffs is simple and cheap.
In January I weighed in at 336 lbs (I'm 6 foot 4 inches) and have altered my diet and exercise (both only slightly) resulting in a loss of 32 lbs to date. The aim is to get to 252 lbs (a loss of 6 stones) by the end of the year. I can safely say I can notice the difference already, my BP has dropped (it was still a touch high with the meds) and I feel shed loads better.
One other point, have your doctor/nurse check your BP in BOTH ARMS. If the readings are significantly different then there could be some serious underlying causes.
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If you add low/no sodium cooking to your treatment, I found two very useful tricks (although much of what I cook is prepared Chinese wok style):
In place of any salt or salty ingredient:
- Minced onions added at the very end make the food very savory
- Hot-Pepper and Garlic, depending upon how you add them, replace salt or heavily influence the flavor.
- Mixing various herbs and spices brighten food, too, but it's a bit of a hassle
The problem with 1, assuming you like onions, is that onions are a strong component in the flavor.
Item 2 works because, for as a pair, they emulate the perceptions of salt: sharp and mellow. Each of these two contributes to that. Add excess either or both to put them into the flavor.
Saltiness brightens the flavor of food. It's cheap and easy, but not the only way.
It took a lot of experimentation and rather bland food until this worked out.
| "The difference between genius and stupidity is that genius has its limits." - Albert Einstein | | "As far as we know, our computer has never had an undetected error." - Weisert | | "If you are searching for perfection in others, then you seek disappointment. If you are seek perfection in yourself, then you will find failure." - Balboos HaGadol Mar 2010 |
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Wand Erection will be at Cardington Hangars for rehearsals today, but we are not to let anyone know that they will be arriving by Helicopter at 1.00pm.
We have been sworn to secrecy as they do not want the fans to cause a disturbance.
So keep that to yourselves.
If this appears all over facebook and twitter I will be forced to stifle a yawn.
What a bunch of Pooftahs!
---------------------------------
Obscurum per obscurius.
Ad astra per alas porci.
Quidquid latine dictum sit, altum videtur .
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Dalek Dave wrote: Wand Erection
*Giggle* - He said "Wand Erection" 
Anything that is unrelated to elephants is irrelephant
Anonymous
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The problem with quotes on the internet is that you can never tell if they're genuine
Winston Churchill, 1944
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I'd just like a chance to prove that money can't make me happy.
Me, all the time
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Cool thats a good reason to avoid the General Area of Luton.
Every day, thousands of innocent plants are killed by vegetarians.
Help end the violence EAT BACON
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You need a reason???????????
=========================================================
I'm an optoholic - my glass is always half full of vodka.
=========================================================
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Sadly I'm not in the area, and my SAMs are in the garden shed.
Regards,
Rob Philpott.
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Why not use the drones and do it from your armchair?
Every day, thousands of innocent plants are killed by vegetarians.
Help end the violence EAT BACON
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Drones broken. 
Regards,
Rob Philpott.
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You've been hunting Beiber again haven't you
Every day, thousands of innocent plants are killed by vegetarians.
Help end the violence EAT BACON
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Can you not arrange a little accident?
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