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The wrist BP unit is not accurate. My doctor's office always used it and my BP was always high. I mentioned it to my doctor because I didn't want BP numbers in my chart that made it look like I was going to have a stroke. He said for me to buy a cuff, one that plugs into the wall, not one that uses batteries, and keep track of it that way. Then bring in the readings when I see him every 3 months. The staff makes a digital copy and so it is in my office records. My dentist's office still uses the wrist type.
I have a very accurate wrist bp. Verified by the antique arm wrap at the doctor's- same reading.
Oh boy howdy does my blood pressure spike when someone tries to take my blood pressure when I don't want them to! Why, I can feel it spiking just THINKING about it! OMG someone get me an ambulance I'm going into cardiac arrest.
OR MAYBE...
"Sure thing Nurse." followed 15 minutes later by "Oh hi Doctor, can we do my blood pressure again please? It was a little high when the nurse took it when I walked in the door, and that's a bit disappointing since I have low blood pressure."
If you just ask the doctor to take it again, chances are, he will. Especially if it was on the high side when the nurse took it when you walked in.
That's a good suggestion. I have low blood pressure, always have, it runs in the family. No way was my blood pressure in the 150's. Only one ffice that registered that, too.
I have white coat syndrome. My BP is always higher at the doctor or dentist. Usually at the doctor,they will take my BP at the start of the visit, and the end. It does come down, at the end of the visit, when I am almost out the door. LOL
you arent the only one. Mine can vary all over the place depending on where I am and whats going on. If my primary and I are just sitting quietly talking then its 120/80. If Im at the dentist it can be 150/100. then they get upset but I dont pay any attention. There is no base number for me.
I bring in at least 7-8 different readings that I took myself at home (the correct way instead of how they do it at the office with feet dangling and while asking you questions!). I always inform the nurse that the BP reading is inaccurate in the office and blame it on myself with white coat syndrome.
I actually have brought in the machine I use and they checked it against theirs - same results. It is really important to me as I have normal to low blood pressure and being put on BP medication could cause dizziness and thus a fall.
People with white coat syndrome have a higher rate of cardiac events than people who don't (assuming their "actual" BP is equal). One possible explanation is that they may spend more of their day at a higher level of BP due to their stress response and its effect on BP.
I'd also question how much of one's day is spent perfectly still and silent. If 120/80 is the lowest reading you can ever get, and that happens under pefect conditions and a substantial break from all moving and activity, you're probably spending a significant portion of your day at higher levels.
you arent the only one. Mine can vary all over the place depending on where I am and whats going on. If my primary and I are just sitting quietly talking then its 120/80. If Im at the dentist it can be 150/100. then they get upset but I dont pay any attention. There is no base number for me.
That reminds me, a year ago I had outpatient hand surgery. I was in the operating room joking with the anesthetist, and he told me that my blood pressure was 165 over ? That surprised me, because I felt completely relaxed and not afraid at all.
With my 5 annual different specialist visits now after surviving cancer, I fully understand your problem. Having to wait more than 10-15 minutes past the appointment time always spikes mine. Worse though is the dentist, I hate going there and when they actually have to do a procedure they take it with a wrist monitor. It's always way too high, and they have to take it again a few minutes later and usually it's dropped to just above normal. I'm surprised that the doctor trusted your home reading though, anyone can make up a good reading, and those home models are notoriously inaccurate. We have a wrist one and an expensive arm cuff. If I take mine using one right after the other they are always different, and not even close. After getting mine done so often in the 2 years I was sick, I found some things that affect it. My best results are sitting with my feet on the floor, arm resting on my thigh, thinking pleasant thought like a stroll through the woods.
Home monitor agrees with the ones at pharmacies. Agrees with my wife's. Agree with the doctor's office if taken correctly -- which rarely happens.
Doctor doesn't have much choice but to accept my reading. He knows the way the nurse does it is wrong.
Oh boy howdy does my blood pressure spike when someone tries to take my blood pressure when I don't want them to! Why, I can feel it spiking just THINKING about it! OMG someone get me an ambulance I'm going into cardiac arrest.
OR MAYBE...
"Sure thing Nurse." followed 15 minutes later by "Oh hi Doctor, can we do my blood pressure again please? It was a little high when the nurse took it when I walked in the door, and that's a bit disappointing since I have low blood pressure."
If you just ask the doctor to take it again, chances are, he will. Especially if it was on the high side when the nurse took it when you walked in.
Once I made the decision that I will not have my blood pressure taken in a way that is egregiously wrong -- not negotiable -- I am at peace with it much more than somebody saying 145/90. They seem to get so many high readings that those numbers seem normal to them.
I have a very accurate wrist bp. Verified by the antique arm wrap at the doctor's- same reading.
Glad there is a model that works. I have never had that experience.
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