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Blood pressure measurement - automated vs manual method
Heart & Blood Health | Last Active: Jul 27 4:28pm | Replies (32)Comment receiving replies
Thanks for bringing up the topic of accuracy of blood pressure data. I too do not know which readings are correct. A 24 hour monitor said my blood pressure was perfect. I had no problem. I noticed, however, that when I had symptoms, the monitor turned itself off and no data was collected. The device clearly detected something in order to shut itself down.
My home BP machine data shows my blood pressure all over the place, sometimes crisis level too high as defined by the cardiologist, and sometimes far too low, Many doctors over the years agreed that my bp is « volatile » or « labile », that is highly variable and they ask me about my bp, whether it is high or low during symptoms. I am old but never fat, but my arm may possibly be too small for the cuffs they use. Maybe they don’t have smaller cuffs? Who or what should we trust about blood pressure data?
Replies to "Thanks for bringing up the topic of accuracy of blood pressure data. I too do not..."
@tatiana987
I have BCBS FEP insurance in addition to Medicare. Every couple of years they offer an automatic BP machine free.
What they require is your doctor measure your arm and fill out the form. Based on that measurement they will send you the correct size for you.
I do know that I have seen Mayo Jacksonville change the cuffs before giving me my BP test.
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You might try a smart watch if you are able to. My own Galaxy 4 and 6 versions of the Samsung Galaxy smart watch can record sleep stages, blood pressure, oxygen saturation, pulse, and even detect atrial fibrillation.
Or, if you prefer to use a cuff: https://www.theemtspot.org/best-blood-pressure-monitor-for-small-arms/
I measure my BP first thing in the morning, before turning over a single time and getting out of bed (which is where the Galaxy watch is always handy because I wear it to track sleep). Just like your morning pulse rate is a good indication of heart health and your corporeal health overall (a pulse rate five or more beats above a running average might indicate a virus or over-exertion the previous day, maybe you have arthritis acting up or some other intrusive pain, or even a poor night's sleep), your just-awakened blood pressure is a veridical measure of your overall health. During the day, though, hormones and diet and obligations, worries, physical exertion, and any stimulants such as teas or coffee might put you in the 'caution' or 'watch' range. Then, you go see your family doctor and he'll raise an eyebrow and say you should be checking your BP daily and report back in a week because it looks high. I hope I'm being clear: taking a BP and pulse almost anywhere else but as you awaken is likely to be 'confounded,'* and probably misleading.
*In research, a 'confound' is any factor influencing the measurements you're interested in taking, but which you fail to take into consideration. https://www.scribbr.com/methodology/confounding-variables/