Stuart.C 483 Posted October 23, 2023 Report Share Posted October 23, 2023 Never had tablets for B.P. In more recent years my blood pressure had always been in the 130's at annual checks at the G.P. and from historic GP records. I signed up for the Our Future Health Study in the Summer and had checks including BP for that. First one was 157, they put that down to being in a medical environment. Second reading was 151, so they recorded that and recommended I do regular checks for a while, morning and evening. I'd bought a monitor years ago, the type with the bulb hand pump, used that and was getting anything from low 130's up to low 160's so bought a new automatic one (no hand pump) in case it was that or me operating it. Didn't make the slightest difference to the readings, I still get occassional high readings , but the average, that the new device calculates, is low 140's, as Margie has said too low for any further attention. I get mild discomfort when the B.P monitor gets to it's highest compression, I did with the old hand one, but nothing worrying and no effect on my hand. The new monitor, Kinetic, was £25 in Argos, now reduced to £21.25 as usual after I buy something from there. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
MargieH 7,594 Posted October 23, 2023 Report Share Posted October 23, 2023 Ours is an Omron M2 basic automatic monitor. And we’ve had this one for about 5 years Quote Link to post Share on other sites
philmayfield 6,089 Posted October 23, 2023 Report Share Posted October 23, 2023 Mine's an Omron (autocorrect says Moron!) M6 Comfort. Must have had it for some years. It's still available in an updated form. They do a snazzy one with an ECG readout but my Apple smartwatch shows me that plus my sats. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
loppylugs 8,424 Posted October 23, 2023 Report Share Posted October 23, 2023 I think some issues with BP may be a Europe vs North America thing. Normal here is considered to be 120/80. I read somewhere 140/90 is considered the norm in Europe. I think here that is considered stage 1 hypertension and can get you on meds. I just consider it a scam to sell more meds along with many nasty side effects. Mrs L tells me once upon a time 100 + your age used to be considered normal. eg 170 over whatever. Show up at the docs office with tnose numbers now and they'd probably call an ambulance. I get white coat hypertension these days. Thankfully my doc acceps that and does not make it an issue. I am on meds since my stroke and usually run around 140 to 150 over 85 to 90. I don't worry about that. I use an Omron each day and give the doc the average when I have a checkup. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
nonnaB 4,893 Posted October 23, 2023 Report Share Posted October 23, 2023 BP goes all over the place. I never had mine taken whilst in UK but here everyone seems to know exactly what their BP is and can tell you what a medical report involves. Over time I can understand a result or two and that’s only because my oncologist explained to me, so those I can relate to but the rest I just look at the results that are asterisked and either lookup on internet or disregard. We are given our results and we have to keep them for further visits or exams. I don’t think they are available in UK are they? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
loppylugs 8,424 Posted October 23, 2023 Report Share Posted October 23, 2023 Hi Nonna. I've found stress is a big issue in BP. If I allow myself to get mad or frustrated at something mine goes way up and can take days to simmer down again. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
philmayfield 6,089 Posted October 23, 2023 Report Share Posted October 23, 2023 I don’t get stress. I give it! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Jill Sparrow 10,269 Posted October 23, 2023 Report Share Posted October 23, 2023 1 hour ago, loppylugs said: If I allow myself to get mad or frustrated at something mine goes way up and can take days to simmer down again. Half an hour of JSB will sort that for you, Loppy. My BP tends to be too low but that's genetic. My mother, grandmother and great grandmother all had low blood pressure and often fainted. My great grandmother's death certificate actually mentions the term syncope. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
trogg 2,002 Posted October 23, 2023 Report Share Posted October 23, 2023 I also have a Omron, I brought it after a series of readings by my GP he suggested it as most peoples readings are higher when taken in a medical environment. I was having to take 2 readings in the morning and another 2 in the evening for one week every month for quite a while , my BP varied that much, after altering the medications many times I have just been told to take the readings for one week each 3 month period. I have never experienced any pain in the arm when taking these tests . I have a friend who had a heart attack 25 years ago and takes blood pressure tabs and also statins, he took these for years and was OK, then he was called into the docs and was told he had to increase the dose of tabs only because the Dept of Health had decided to lower the levels when needed. He refused and he is still here with no problems years later. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
MargieH 7,594 Posted October 23, 2023 Report Share Posted October 23, 2023 @Brew looks like it’s only thee and me who feel pain when the BP cuff is inflated! The strange thing is that I have a high pain threshold…… Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Brew 5,380 Posted October 23, 2023 Report Share Posted October 23, 2023 Yeah you'n'me Margie... rock 'ard we are I must live in a bubble, I'm surprised at the number of us with a BP machine, until last week I was totally unaware there were such things for home use... What will Amazon sell next, DIY brain surgery kits? My pain threshold is quite high........... until it's not... 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Beekay 5,094 Posted October 23, 2023 Report Share Posted October 23, 2023 I have the dubious pleasure of owning two BP monitors, one manual and one electronic. Use on myself and for 'er indoors when I do her weekly record, doing it twice a day. Did suggest to her that if the cuff hurt her arm I could always try it on her neck and inflate it there. I don't think she was too amused with that one ! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
DJ360 6,712 Posted October 23, 2023 Report Share Posted October 23, 2023 If you think about it.. it's hardly surprising that more of us have BP monitors and other devices. We live longer..survive heart attacks that would have killed us 40 years ago etc. etc. But to do that many of us need pills. It seems to be a 'numbers game'. For example., most of my heart meds are designed to ease the load on the heart and prevent future problems . My two latest meds are statistically shown to increase life expectancy in heart failure. Doesn't mean I'LL live longer but I might... Worth a try.... Incidentally, I don't normally notice any side effects from my daily pills...but as I've been messed about for a couple of weeks and 'poisoned' by opiate drugs which don't sit well with them..I'm easing myself back onto the full regime slowly.... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
PeverilPeril 3,268 Posted October 24, 2023 Report Share Posted October 24, 2023 Had a birthday card today showing a doctor talking to his patient "We've decided to keep the hip and to replace the rest of you". Just about sums it up 1 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Brew 5,380 Posted October 24, 2023 Report Share Posted October 24, 2023 My daughter sent me a birthday card, it said: "I google 'old git' today..................... "you came top" 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
nonnaB 4,893 Posted November 9, 2023 Report Share Posted November 9, 2023 BP I think does naturally increase in a medical situation. Whenever I went for chemo it was always up and they had to make me wait or give me a tablet to reduce it. Then I bought a monitor. I used to park my car and wait a while then check BP. If it was up I’d sit and wait. Sometimes from the car park into oncology was quite a way so I’d go early and sit and wait my turn. It worked well as I’d really relaxed. Here BP is measured 120/80 and mine is nearly always correct. (When I check it) Quote Link to post Share on other sites
DJ360 6,712 Posted November 29, 2023 Report Share Posted November 29, 2023 I think I'm just experiencing my first ever Arthritis Flare Up. Since the cold weather landed, a relatively minor niggle with my right thumb has extended to pain up to the elbow. Left hip and right shoulder are 'kicking off'. Also getting earache which seems related to jawbone and odd digestive issues which according to Mr Google can also accompany arthritis. Most intriguing.. both knees have gone stiff and painful. That's a bit odd since the arthritic bones have supposedly been replaced by metal an d plastic.... Lots of questions for the 'Orthopaedic Specialist' at my six week follow up tomorrow. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
MRS B 490 Posted November 29, 2023 Report Share Posted November 29, 2023 Col, on the recommendation of a friend I have started massaging turmeric oil on my knee and I think it is helping. I think you end up willing to give owt a try don’t you? You have rather a lot of places annoying you, maybe just sit in a bucket of it. The cold weather definitely doesn’t help. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Jill Sparrow 10,269 Posted November 29, 2023 Report Share Posted November 29, 2023 Turmeric is good for arthritis. A friend of mine takes it daily. He had to stop using it for some time before a hernia repair op a couple of years ago and said that, until then, he didn't realise what a huge difference it made. Anyone who is on anticoagulant medication shouldn't take it as turmeric itself has anticoagulant properties. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
DJ360 6,712 Posted November 29, 2023 Report Share Posted November 29, 2023 That lets me out of Turmeric then.. I take aspirin daily.. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
trogg 2,002 Posted November 29, 2023 Report Share Posted November 29, 2023 1 hour ago, MRS B said: The cold weather definitely doesn’t help. If its cold I try not to go out, It seizes me up so I know what it feels like. On the brighter side it will soon be the shortest day so roll on Spring and Summer. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Beekay 5,094 Posted November 29, 2023 Report Share Posted November 29, 2023 Trogg, let me be the first to wish you 'Happy Easter'! 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
MRS B 490 Posted November 30, 2023 Report Share Posted November 30, 2023 20 hours ago, DJ360 said: That lets me out of Turmeric then.. I take aspirin daily.. That’s really good that Jill told us that and it will teach me that to blithely recommend stuff is not a great idea! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Beekay 5,094 Posted November 30, 2023 Report Share Posted November 30, 2023 Never mind Mrs Buttercup, you meant well. We still luv ya.x Quote Link to post Share on other sites
MRS B 490 Posted November 30, 2023 Report Share Posted November 30, 2023 My cold and cough which I’ve now had for a week is clearly making its way upwards as I now sound as though I’ve been inhaling helium. Good to get it off my chest though and keeps me quiet which is quite unusual for me! Not had one like this for decades. Even had to go back to bed this morning with the cat which actually was quite nice and she was purring her head off as it’s usually either me or her that owns the bed although not at the same time. She was actually a bit miffed as if to say hey you normally have this space when it’s dark and it’s mine when it’s light. She definitely will be out of sorts tomorrow as its annual jab and a health check with her daughter in tow at the vets. Mr B doing the honours. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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