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Don't Let This At-Home Machine Lead You Down The Wrong Road

When it comes to health, the more information the better. Yet that information needs to be on the money. And one area where things could be off kilter is home blood pressure cuffs.

bp
(credit: Dr. Dave Hnida)

More and more doctors are telling our patients to check their BPs at home on a regular basis, keep a log of readings, then bring that info to their next visit. We often we jiggle with the dosage of a medication if there are significant ups or downs in the numbers, no matter what we get when we check it in the office.

So here's the problem: a new study from the American Academy of Nephrology (those are the kidney specialists) finds readings tend to be off consistently in about one in 8 people. And it's not always the people to blame—often the machine itself ... or the technique needs some tweaking.

How far off where the readings in this study? Quite a bit in some cases.

Normal blood pressure consists of two numbers: the systolic or upper number, and the diastolic, or lower number. The upper limit of those numbers for most people is 140/90. Frankly, we'd really love to see 120/70 in almost everyone. Both numbers are important.

In the study, the numbers ran anywhere from 5 to 21 points off for the top number, and 5 to 15 for the lower.

So what should you do?

First, keep on using the home cuff, but make sure it's on the mark. The best way to do this is to bring your cuff to the doctor's office and compare official readings to what you get.

When you keep your log, you don't need just one reading is the number is off. Check it once. Wait two minutes then recheck, and average the two.

Make sure you're sitting in a firm chair with a sturdy back.

Your arm should be supported at heart level. Don't hold it up by itself.

Sit for a few minutes before checking the readings—don't run in from chasing your dog down the street, for example.

Keep both feet firmly planted—and touching the floor. No dangling or cross-legged readings.

Take your readings at different times of the day—they do vary throughout the day—even minute to minute.

Don't freak if your high in number, but know at what number you should call your doctor. Everyone is different.

If you have a cuff—keep up the good work. Knowledge is power. And it's good to be an informed patient. Let's just make sure that information is on the button.

 

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