Blood pressure monitor

fizzlebottom

I noticed that my GP surgery have installed a 'take your own blood pressure' machine behind a screen for patients use. Not sure if it's a good idea or not!

SallyG - I wrote to my doctor (about 2 years ago) asking why they only issued two months supply of thyroxine at a time (used to be able to get 6 months) Got a scribbled reply on bottom of my letter along the lines of ' It is surgery practice to only issue 2 months supply to every patient' I never followed it up as I get free prescriptions, but I now know that I should have written the letter as a complaint in order to get an official reply.

Can I just say to everyone that if they have a problem to put your complaint in writing. . My surgery introduced a 'you can only book appointments for the next 48 hours' system. I wrote two letters of complaint, hand delivered them to the surgery, went around the waiting room and asked everyone there to do the same; followed up with a letter to the Primary Care Trust, and hey presto got a reply within 3 days to say that they had realised that the 'action' had not worked and they would be reverting back to flexible booking. Don't waste time verbally complaining it means nothing but letters of complaint have to be addressed within 3 days.

BigBananaFeet

moonpenny wrote: »

I use a blood pressure monitor (Omron)on my right upper arm.

When I bought it, I followed diagram that showed when used on left arm the tube runs down the inside of the arm. On right arm, the tube runs on outside arm. I have since watched a video that shows tube on inner arm on both right and left.

Can anyone tell me if this would make a difference to the reading?

It won't make any difference to the reading.

People should realise when buying blood pressure monitors, there is a need to have them serviced and calibrated every two years which is an added cost.

sazdes

moonpenny wrote: »

I use a blood pressure monitor (Omron)on my right upper arm.

When I bought it, I followed diagram that showed when used on left arm the tube runs down the inside of the arm. On right arm, the tube runs on outside arm. I have since watched a video that shows tube on inner arm on both right and left.

Can anyone tell me if this would make a difference to the reading?

There should be an arrow on the cuff labelled artery, if you press on the inside part of your inner arm you will feel a pulse, the arrow points to where your pulse is ideally.

It probably doesn't make much difference but inner arm always is correct as that's where your artery is which is used for the readings.

uk1

I'm suggesting something slightly more than that. It is an error of judgement in my view to subscribe to the rather old fashioned attitude that "doctor knows best". He knows "more" - but not best.

Biggles wrote: »

I wouldn't dream of trying to 'get off' my tablets unless they suggested it. But then, I'm not a doctor, perhaps you are qualified to make such decisions.;-)

It would certainly be irresponsble and potentially dangerous to simply stop taking medication - but having a questioing relationship with your doctor and becoming knowledgeable about your condition is highly responsible.

There is a potentially dangerous convergence of several trends that mandates that intelligent people take an interest in their own health.

1. The last government introduced incentives to GPs for them to routinely monitor BP and cholestorol. This will inevitably mean that some people that need medication will be discovered - others will be presribed it that may not need it.

2. The majority of research on the effectiveness of BP medication is paid for by the drugs companies.

3. It is clear that a considerable percentage of BP medication has been prescribed on the basis solely of readings taken at the doctors surgery and a significant number of these are effected by white coat syndrome.

My sole point is that this is a matter of choice and intelligent people involve themselves in the process by trying to understand as much about it as possible and engaging with their doctor.

Biggles

uk1 wrote: »

My sole point is that this is a matter of choice and intelligent people involve themselves in the process by trying to understand as much about it as possible and engaging with their doctor.

Absolutely, I totally agree with that.

I was just concerned about the suggestion that people might post their readings on here, and take the advice of someone they knew nothing about, without thinking about discussing the matter with their doctor.

SallyG

Thanks to all for all your useful posts
Does anyone know if the box-ticking that GPs get brownie points/cash for are listed somewhere online?

uk1

SallyG wrote: »

Does anyone know if the box-ticking that GPs get brownie points/cash for are listed somewhere online?

Doubt it .... but I do know that they sometimes reduce people on 3 month prescriptions to 1 month prescriptions if they fail to have a blood test or BP test "as instructed". I think the rationale is that "if I lose money" then "you lose money".

Finefoot

Note - Omron makes all kinds of hospital equipment, and has a good reputation, so I would go for that one.

bubblesbonbon

I believe that there must be another factor that produces higher BP readings similar to White Coat Syndrome. It's called "Believe me we are skint but all in this together" syndrome.

I took my BP after hearing that Dear Dave had promised £650 million of our money (that we ain't got) to help out Pakistan's educational system.

My trusty Omron now needs new batteries because it couldn't pump the cuff up enough.

Bunter_2

bubblesbonbon wrote: »

I believe that there must be another factor that produces higher BP readings similar to White Coat Syndrome. It's called "Believe me we are skint but all in this together" syndrome.

I took my BP after hearing that Dear Dave had promised £650 million of our money (that we ain't got) to help out Pakistan's educational system.

My trusty Omron now needs new batteries because it couldn't pump the cuff up enough.

Good point. Following the MPs expenses scandal I decided that politics was just a massive swindle and that the primary function of the mass media is to scare their viewers and readers witless and drive them into severe bouts of depression.

I no longer bother with the (so-called) "news" and dont miss it one little bit. I still buy a newspaper but will generally just read the back sports pages and do the "puzzles. It does not do any good for my knowledge of current affairs but I am sure it is good for my BP.