Anyone know about blood pressure?

[Missy]

I am feeling crummy today. Upset stomach, feeling like my heart is pounding out of my chest. So out of curiosity, I checked my blood pressure. I have an at home blood pressure meter. It's all automatic. All I have to do is put the cuff on and press start. It measured my BP at 143/103 and my heart rate at 139 beats per minute. How far off the mark is that from where I should be?? Should I be concerned?

[Frugal Nurse]

HOLY SHEET!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
WHERE SHOULD YOU BE???
YOU SHOULD BE IN THE EMERGENCY ROOM!!!!!!!!!!
I mean it!
NOW!!!

Bad.
This could lead to a stroke.
Your BP should be 120/80 average.
If the bottom number is over 100... time to scoot your butt in. Too much stress on the arteries.

ESPECIALLY if your heart rate is 139 (avg 60) AND that you are feeling crummy.

It doesn't take long for you to crump.

Please get a move on and get that blood pressure under control.

Okay.,.. first call your doctor. NOW. Then go.

If he tells you to stay home and wait till tomorrow... I want you to get up and go. No joke.

[SewCrafty]

I agree Missy, that does NOT sound good! Get to the ER NOW!!!

I know $$ is a problem for you, but heck, remember you have little children at home that NEED you, and they can't get blood out of a rock!!

Go now and don't drive yourself, have someone take you! and let us know what happens.

[Frugal Nurse]

Okay.. if money is an issue.. is there a walk in clinic there?
They're generally cheaper than the ED.

Which will be cheaper?
Permanent damage http://www.mayoclinic.com/print/hype...6/METHOD=print
or
and ED visit.
Hmmmmm.....


Please Missy.

And let us know.
Tis better to go and be fine than to not go and be unfine.
(I won't say the word)

[DJ1972]

I know I am a little late answering this thread, but just wanted to add...sometimes the automatic BP cuffs aren't accurate. So at least go to your local health department and have them re-take your blood pressure with a manual cuff (they will do this for free and will be able to tell you where the cheapest place to see a dr. would be.)

[AZReam]

Be well trained and observant
Blood pressure recording is a process that should be practiced and re-practiced. The reading that is taken is an important tool in diagnosing a patient. That's why it is considered one of the Vital Signs. When taking a blood pressure always be sure to concentrate on the task at hand. Good eyesight and hearing, as well as hand-eye-ear coordination is important.1

Use actual numbers
Most people have a tendency to round off numbers; for example, 152 becomes 150; 166 may become 170. In blood pressure recording, a few millimeters may make the difference in a patient's diagnosis. Always record the reading to the nearest 2mm Hg.2


Don't be biased
Just because a patient (or yourself, in the case of home readings) is normally around 126/82 (for example), don't prematurely assume the next reading will fall near that range.3 Record each reading based on your observations at that time.


Position the patient properly
For regular blood pressure recordings, the patient is seated with the midpoint of the upper arm at the level of the heart.4 When the arm is below the heart level, the reading will be too high.5 In fact, it has been reported that the reading can be as much as 8mm high when the patient's arm is hanging at their side.6 However, some circumstances may require the patient to be in a different position. When lying down, position the patient's arm at the side of the body, slightly raised; when the patient is standing, raise the patient's arm and support at the heart level.7 Document the patient's position when recording their measurement on their chart.


Have a calm manner and peaceful environment
Try to keep the patient relaxed and have everything ready (equipment, charts, pen, etc.) for the reading before the patient is seated. Since blood pressure levels are affected by emotions, physical activity, and the surroundings, minimize disturbances that may affect the reading.8


Check your equipment
Routinely inspect your blood pressure equipment - sphygmomanometer, cuffing system, bladders, tubes, valves, etc. - to make sure it is functioning properly. Check to see if the mercury level of your instrument is at zero. Check aneroid gauges over the entire range against a mercury sphygmomanometer.9 Repair, replace, and clean as necessary. Consider using a cuff that has an antimicrobial agent to help prevent bacterial growth and mildew on the cuff fabric. It has been reported that blood pressure cuffs can carry significant bacterial colonization, particularly in the Operating Room, P.A.C.U. and I.C.U, and can actually be a source of transmission of infection.10


Select the right size inflation system
Choose the appropriate size cuff based on the circumference of the patient's bare upper arm. The bladder (inside the cuff) should encircle 80 percent of an adult's arm and, for a child less than 13 years old, 100 percent.11 A cuff/bladder that is too narrow for the arm will result in a high blood pressure reading.12 This situation may lead to the overtreatment of hypertension; conversely, using a cuff too large may lead to the undertreatment of hypertension.13 Have a full range of cuff sizes available to accommodate your patient population.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

1 "Human Blood Pressure Determination by Sphygmomanometry," American Heart Association, Dallas, Texas, ©1967, 1980, 1987, 1994 American Heart Association, p. 13. 2 Ibid., p. 14. 3 Ibid., p. 14. 4 Ibid., p. 14. 5 Ibid., p. 25 6 Cooper, Karen, "Measuring Blood Pressure the Right Way," Nursing92, April 1992, p. 75. 7 "Human Blood Pressure Determination by Sphygmomanometry," p. 14-15. 8 Ibid, p. 15. 9 American Society of Hypertension, "Recommendations for Routine Blood Pressure Measurement by Indirect Cuff Sphygmomanometry," American Journal of Hypertension, April 1992, p. 207. 10 Sternlicht, Andrew L., "Significant Bacterial Colonization Occurs on the surface of Non-Disposable Sphygmomanometer Cuffs and Re-Used Disposable Cuffs," Anesthesia & Analgesia, February 1990, p. S391. 11 "Human Blood Pressure Determination by Sphygmomanometry," p. 15. 12 Ibid., p. 24 13 Manning, Dennis M., "Miscuffing: Inappropriate Blood Pressure Cuff Application," Hypertension, October 1993, p. 765.

[pop goes the weasel]

I agree better safe than sorry. My question is when did the medical society change a normal bp reading from 120/80 to 142/90? The health center that I was going to ( but thats another thread) told me that it changed but the one nurse still uses the old readings while the rest uses the new. IMO thats just asking for trouble with them not going by the same readings. Either or you need to have it checked

[mustang80]

I work for a cardiologist. We routinely have patients bring their home machines to the office to check with the ones we use. That way the patients know whether their machine is accurate or not.

I agree with Frugal Nurse, if someone called my office with the above symptoms, I would advise them to go to the ER.

Good luck! Let us know how you make out.

[ellentje]

Any news yet?????


It is way to high, hope you had it checked properly.

[FrugalMomof3]

I say go get it checked with a local clinic. If your blood pressure stays that high, it's time for you to go to the Dr. and FAST! high blood pressure can lead to all sorts of things and it's better to be safe than sorry.

On that note, my DH's mother had high blood pressure and passed away in her sleep because of it. DONT HESITATE this is not something take lightly.

[Frugal Nurse]

I know I am a little late answering this thread, but just wanted to add...sometimes the automatic BP cuffs aren't accurate. So at least go to your local health department and have them re-take your blood pressure with a manual cuff (they will do this for free and will be able to tell you where the cheapest place to see a dr. would be.)

can you believe I jumped out of bed last night and realized the darn machine might be out of calibration!!

I was going to get up and sign on... but heck! I would have been on for the rest of then night! {{{{{Addictive }}}}}

So... for sure - get the machine checked as well.
But not feeling well - is a concern.. AND that the heart pounding and heart rate at 139... it's unlikely the machine could be off by so many variables.
There's a first for everything.

Miss Missy???????

[pip]

How are you doing today, Missy? I was going to suggest resting a bit and then rechecking your BP and pulse. I know that being uptight about it can also raise it up. If it still stays up, definitely call your MD for advice. Have you had high BP before?

[Mom23boys]

How are you feeling today, Missy? Did you go to the doctor? I hope you did. As you may recall, I just got out of the hospital and I do not want you to have to go through everything I did (I went in with 168/110 BP). So, please go and have yourself checked out to make sure you are ok. Having high blood pressure is not ok.

[Michelle]

Hoping you're okay Missy. Please update us when you can.

[Missy]

I have an appt to see my general practitioner this afternoon. I called and told the lady who answered the phone that i have a monitor of my own, she said to bring it with me and they'd check it to see if it's accurate. I spent the rest of yesterday throwing up and miserable. I couldn't keep water down even. Today's the same. BP reading was 141/103 and pulse at 137. This sucks. I am hoping my dr office can help. I don't like this feeling.