Digital Blood Pressure Monitor

Bourne

Just nipped over to my nearest Lloyds, only to find that they close on Saturday afternoons! I don't know how any business can survive by doing that in this day and age.
In response to the nurse who posted on here, I am on medication for blood pressure and have been keeping my readings on a spreadsheet on my doctor's advice. He says that he finds it extremely helpful, as it even if the wrist cuff isn't perfectly accurate, it does at least indicate trends. Having said that, I suspect that the Lidl one is so inaccurate as to be worthless.

Bourne

I checked my blood pressure at the local health centre today. I had two readings: 122/77 and 120/76. Tested At the same time and with my arm in the same position, my old BP monitor (I remembered it wasn't actually a Boots one, but one I sent away for from The Times) gave a reading of 134/84 and the Lidl one gave a reading of 154 (I think)/89
This suggests to me that I have been supplying over estimated readins for the last three years and probably didn't require a recent increase in medication, which sometimes leaves me feeling exhausted.
The only snag with this theory is that I once tested it on somebody else, who had the lower reading of about 72, when mine was about 85. If my monitor is over-reading, this could mean that she is actually dead, but doesn't know it

dgregory

The Blood Pressure Association is running its annual testing week in september - for details of when and where you can have your blood pressure measured by trained volunteers.

There is also some clear information about choosing and using a blood pressure monitor and a Free comprehensive but easy to follow fact sheet "How to measure blood pressure properly" on the Blood Pressure Monitoring site that explains what and what not to do to get accurate measurements.

Ted_Hutchinson

Nine in ten Brits at 'risk of high blood pressure'

Warning over rising numbers of high blood pressure cases

Low vitamin d status associated with high blood pressure.

The highest 25OHD quintile (85.7 mmol/L or greater) were 3.0 mm Hg and 1.6 mm Hg lower, compared with patients in the lowest 25OHD quintile (40.4 mmol/L or less).

UK vitamin d status is generally below 75nmol/L.

In order to have maximum calcium absorption you need to be above 80nmol/L. (use the arrows by slide preview to fast forward to Heaney's talk. This level is associated with lower Colon cancer.

In order for all the body's systems have unrestricted access to Vitamin D and it's metabolites 100nmol/L is needed.

Optimal Status associated with lowest breast cancer incidence is over 125nmol/L.
400iu vitamin D3 Cholecalciferol daily raises status between 7-12nmol/L

BigMummaF

I have a wrist monitor, due to my 'bingo wings', as recommended by the consultant at the hospital. It came from Superdrug & was around the £80 mark two years ago.
I always take readings from both wrists, & take an average of them every six weeks or so. I was also told to take readings at different times of the day to get an idea of how my ticker performs over 24hr period.

ranjha_tera

i know its best to check the bp form gp.. but i need bp monitor for my dad not living in uk (because bp problem is something like genetic in our family my grandmother and other other person also got this problem). i am bit worried for this everytime and i need this for time of emergency. i don't want to run like mads by seeing unaccurate readings of monitor at the time of emergency and i am looking for best accurate bp monitor even if i have to pay £30-50 than other equipment. at least this gives some piece of mind.
if anybody tested any blood pressure monitor which provides near to accurate reading please share knowledge with me.. thanks in advance..

i also wann know which bp monitor is better wrist or upper arm...


anybody if checked any of these on the bases of accuracy please let me know
http://medisanauk.shoppinglinx.co.uk/

Ted_Hutchinson

The Lloyds one is fine. Every time I've had my BP checked by a health professional its been just about the same as at home on the Lloyds one.
(blood pressure does vary through the day so you never get two readings exactly the same, the important thing is that the average readings over a period are consistent and not above

When they enter the bar code the proper price rings up first (it's around £50) but then the discounted price follows. So I don't think it is a cheap BP monitor it's a £50 monitor they are discounting significantly.
The upper arm bands are generally better than wrist.

I see that BPASSOC have one on special offer that is £ 34.99 with free delivery and a FREE PEDOMETER. It's got a 3yr guarantee and they say it's Clinically validated
The makers are also donating £4 to BPASSOC as well so there's also a feel good factor.

However I'm still very happy with my Lloyds one and its still giving much the same readings as when I got it. My partner though gets lower readings (she does more walking) but her readings, like mine, are much the same as last year so I am sure the model we have is reliable and as accurate as necessary.

Sterlingtimes

Are blood pressure monitors absolutely safe?

I've managed to injure myself in the area of the elbow.

I borrowed one from my doctor and took readings for a fortnight. I then bought my own from Boots.

Presumably, it has damaged a muscle.

BigMummaF

Perhaps if you've damaged an elbow, you might have used the cuff in the wrong place.
One advantage of a wrist monitor is it can't go very wrong:o

If I'm passing the surgery & I give it a thought, I'll do a quick reading on the machine in the reception.

Bourne

I have just bought one of the Lloyds arm cuff monitors for what seems a bargain price of £9.99 The main problem with it is that it hurts like hell. The velcro has left scratch marks on my arm, which is hardly surprising, as I thought it was going to break my arm. The reading? 142/103

I took it again using my ibp wrist monitor and it was 138/84. I have taken the wrist monitor when visiting the doctor and have found that if anything, it over reads when compared to the one he uses.

I was measured for the arm cuff, but there is no way of avoiding having the velcro against your skin when it inflates to its python-like crush. I'm afraid it is just too painful to use and I have serious doubts about its accuracy.