Home BP testing with Walgreens Homedics Monitor -vs- Walmart Machine

I'm curious! What do you mean by chest breather? I didn't know there is a correct way to breathe other than through the nose or mouth and the nose is supposed to be the healthier way to breathe. Enlighten me please, I would appreciate it. Again, thanks for all the info.

I saw a pulmonologist over two years ago because my blood oxygen levels were too low (drops to 72%) after Covid. I was put on oxygen at home.

During my physical exam, the pulmonologist had me sit up straight in a chair and asked me to take a deep breath. My reaction was to hunch up my shoulders and try to suck in air through my nose. He said I was not using my diaphragm as my main muscle to breathe. I was doing opposite of what I should be doing - "chest breather". I was confused.

A fabulous physical therapist, who was a clinical instructor with her PhD at a large university hospital, worked with me to teach me diaphragmatic breathing, and also strength and balance training.

A practiced over and over, and slowly and I was able to train myself off of oxygen during the day during the day with light activity. Diaphragm breathing made all the difference! I am not a "chest breather" anymore.

There are YouTube videos on diaphragmatic breathing exercises.

Here's a simple article that helped me understand the physiology.

When I read your comments I assume you hadn't heard of the "white coat syndrome" ... called that since so many patients have that same experience when seeing an MD. I am one.

I also wonder why when the nurses take your weight they don't care what you have on which certainly can make a difference. I've done it and with winter boots on (hard to get off) and at other times no footwear at all.

joaf37,

I'm repeating myself, but 🙂

If you have high BP, make sure you test it yourself, at home. Do this prior to visiting your doctor. Then, when you are led into the exam room, explain you track your BP and need five minutes to settle prior to it being taken. If they insist on doing it then - find another doctor.

And, if you need to understand your weight - establish a baseline - same process. Take your weight at home with minimal clothing, then when you go to the doc, take your clothes off to this same level. This is your responsibility - just state you have weight taken only when you are consistent with your clothing baseline. The staff person can wait until you are ready.

Just as I said previously, it was like a cattle call, run 'em in and run 'em out. The only thing that I insisted on was that she place the cuff on open skin and not over my shirt. She first tried the right arm and registered 153, which was not a surprise to me. Then she immediately tried the left arm which registered 130. Despite my protestations that I had been monitoring my BP's for awhile and that all of my readings were well below 120/80, she ignored me. It wasn't until I actually was able to review all of my documentation with the Dr. who actually tested me last year and remembered me, was I able to make my case. I showed him that I followed his advice and lost 48 lbs and my BP was way down from the previous year of 145. This time he took my BP with his symgmomometer (sp ?) and he concurred that I was in much better shape and that he would approve my license for the regular 2 years. VICTORY! As far as the weight is concerned, they only registered me 4 lbs more than I really am. Again, upon telling her of this, she ignored me. I know that I made her mad because, me a non-professional, telling a nurse how to do her job, even though her readings were incorrect, only made things worse. Oh well, since this will be my last time to do this, Hallelujah and thank God it's over. Thanks for the input. I do appreciate the helpful info. Sincerely, Ernest Villarreal, Euless, Tx.

My advice continues to be to get seated and relaxed prior to BP testing - you have control over this - don't allow someone to push you.

WRT both weight and BP measurement, remember BP changes constantly - not so weight. It us very common for there to be differences in home weight measurement and diector office measurement devices. I would probably accept the doc office device as more accurate - unless I had another like device to compare to.

I agree, they never give enough time once in the chair at the Doctor's office to get a normal BP reading. I tell them that, they say to check it later in the office after the appt is over. Now, I'm trying to wean off my BP medication (it's linked to ED), and they want me in the office on Jan. 24th to check my BP there. That ought to be an interesting appt.