Hypertension/ High Blood Pressure

pauline fayne · 16-10-2010 9:05pm

grindelwald wrote: »

When my husband got his bp monitor the chemist took him into a private room and tested the monitor and cuff on him, he had to order the larger cuff, i use his cuff and my arm is not that big and it gives correct readings (between 107/61 and 118/67). The chemist should advise you on the correct cuff size. Keep it in mind that you need to be able to stick you finger between the cuff and your skin as its not supposed to be tight or loose when you put it on. As I said do a test run at the chemist.

*I've never seen a doctor change the bp cuff, I bet you never have either, 1 size fits all at the hospital/doctors office.

Thanks Grindelwald . I only asked the price of a monitor in our local chemists (120 euro ) , I have checked the validated list of monitors on the British Hypertension website and found that i can buy many of these online for less than 30 euro , hence the cuff size dilemma !
I have only once seen a cuff changed , - excellent point . Thanks again ,
Pauline .

cynder · 17-10-2010 12:13pm

Just to say when you buy the monitor it comes with the medium cuff so you could order the large cuff as a separate, that's what my hubby did.

If your getting it on the Internet it could be a different story, best of luck.

dollydishmop · 17-10-2010 9:02pm

A casual mention to your GP can some times work wonders...I think I slipped into conversation once that the cuff on my personal BP monitor was too small...and she gave me a spare large cuff that she had in her cupboard

pauline fayne · 18-10-2010 2:05am

Thanks Grindelwald and dollydishmop , I ordered one and it worked out at 29 euro , they also sell the large cuff seperately but hopefully i wont need it- if i do i will follow dollydishmops example first !

bernyh · 19-02-2011 2:56am

Hi

I have been diagnosed with chronic hypertension, when i had my dd they should have refered me and didn't, I'm now seeing a specialist at beaumont hosp who has put me on blopress plus, the strongest medication in it's category at the strongest possible dosage.. it's making me really sick but it is bringing my bp down, I was presenting at 248/165 at some stages and on checking with gp yest it was 146/94 I was delighted, but I would really love to have another child and this medication is not recommended when trying to conceive... anyone any suggestions for new meds... ?

sam34 · 19-02-2011 6:57am

we can't suggest any medications here. discuss with your gp or consultant

BenEadir · 21-05-2011 7:06pm

Hi All,

I'm a 42 year old 6ft male and have been on medication for hypertension for 15 years. I'm a little heavy for my height (94kg) but have a good excercise regime and run regularly including the odd 5km or 10km race/fun run.

Diet would be average with good(ish) food during the week and at least one takeaway at the weekend or possibly two + a little chocolate and crisps etc during the week. Drink wise I love a few beers and would probably consume about 10 pints a week on average, some weeks less, some weeks more. I have a fairly stressful job so a few beers a couple of times a week helps me to relax, as does excercising to be fair.

I have a theory that my BP is directly related to stressful situations more so than my physical condition.

Was watching the Leinster V Northampton match at home on TV today. Had about 4 bottles of beer on board at half time and after Leinster scored their 2nd try 12 minutes into the 2nd half we all went mental as we knew we were back in the match. It suddenly dawned on me to take my blood pressure there and then and it came in at 190 over 133 with a HR of 93 which is pretty high.

About 10 minutes after the match ended when we had all settled down I decided to take my BP reading again and this time the reading was 99 over 63 with a HR of 64.

How the hell can my BP effectively halve in 30 minutes and is it something normal or something to worry about?

FYI I take 20mg of Micardis daily.

Looking forward to your insight!!!

Ben

sam34 · 21-05-2011 7:19pm

Ben, we don't and can't comment on personal medical queries. speak to your gp if you are concerned.

BenEadir · 21-05-2011 7:23pm

Not concerned at all Sam, I've been living with this for 15 years and understand the forum rules ref medical advice etc

Just curious to get peoples thoughts on how BP can halve in 30 minutes!

Ben

sam34 · 21-05-2011 8:57pm

BenEadir wrote: »

is it something normal or something to worry about? Ben

BenEadir wrote: »

Not concerned at all Sam, I've been living with this for 15 years and understand the forum rules ref medical advice etc Ben

BenEadir · 21-05-2011 9:09pm

Fair enough Sam, bad choice of words on my behalf.

Should have read "is this type of fluctuation normal?"

Ben

tomyr7 · 04-08-2011 10:54am

I was diagnosed with Hypertension over a year ago.
I'm 23 next month. I'm currently taking micardis plus.

I got some Blood Pressure readings taken at a check up with the Doctor but he put it down to white coat syndrome so I got a 24hr monitor & it came back with high results. Since then I've been prescribed Micardis.

I went back to the doctor in March of this year and got another 24hr monitor which was also high (I'd stopped takikng the tablets in february/march).
So he put me on Micardis Plus.

I'm overwieght and I was told that if I'd lost some of it that the blood pressure would drop so I went on a total lifestyle change (eating healthy & regular exercise, no fizzy drinks, no eating after 8pm, breakfast consisting of a 1-orange juice, 2-banana, 3-frozen fuit in a shake etc etc).
Did this for a month & lost just over a stone. Went back for a checkup & 24hr monitor and my BP had dropped significantly.

So it seems fro me that my weight/diet is causing my hypertension.

Some of the symptoms I have which could possibly be put down to Hypertension is:
1: Occasional Dizzyness/Head aches

2: Blurred Vision which starts in the centre of my vision and works its way outward like a ring until dissapears from my vision which is followed by a headache.

3: Anger/Short Fuse :mad:

MintyDoris · 02-09-2011 10:46am

Just out of hospital after a week and a bit. I was admitted for hypertension and headaches. The headaches disappeared when I was admitted but the blood pressure kept going up and down. On 2 different meds (can't remember which ones right now) and using home BP machine to keep a track of the BP each day. It seems to have settled down now fairly normal levels.

My partner informed me yesterday that I have developed a short fuse since coming out of hospital

It didnt make any sense to me until I started to research it today and found the above post by tomyr7.

Has anyone experienced this?

bubbaloo · 03-09-2011 12:08pm

Hi all,
I've had high bp for a long time but for years the docs said it was probably caused by my fertility treatments. Then I got pregnant (:D) and they had to treat it so I was on a HUGE dose of meds throughout my pregnancy. After I had my little boy in 2009 my bp remained high and I was kept on my meds!
Last October I changed my lifestyle and I have lost over 3 stone!
I cannot tell you the difference this has made to my health.
I am on the very minimum dose of meds now and feel so much better.
I had major surgery 4 years ago and have just had to have the same surgery last week. The difference in my recovery this time is incredible and many of the medical staff in the hospital had attributed this to my weight loss.
My bp is normal (although as I say I am on the minimum dose of meds).
I would certainly encourage anyone who is overweight and suffering with high bp to try to lose weight. It makes such a significant difference to your overall health.

LegacyUser · 04-04-2012 6:56pm

When you get a 24 hour blood pressure monitor, do you get the results from it straight away, or do you have to wait for them?

I'm getting it done in my local GP (Fairview Medical Centre) as opposed to a hospital, if that makes a difference.

Also, does anyone know if VHI will refund any of the cost ... it's costing €100 - I could get it done publicly for free, but would be waiting a while. Last few times I got my BP taken, it was around 180/120 or similar ... as I'm in my mid-20s and amn't overweight and don't drink heavily or smoke, the doctor is a bit concerned. So I think it's best to just get it done now, even though it's so expensive.

Thanks for any info!

Dizzyblonde · 08-04-2012 4:38pm

That sounds quite expensive. I get my monitor from my GP and it usually costs €55 unless I'm also having blood tests. They should have the results for you by the next day, they only have to download the data onto their computer and read it.

It helps to wear something loose and comfortable when you're having the monitor put on.

seefin · 14-04-2012 8:41pm

Have had high bp since was 35.was on codiovan for few yrs but got a little too low.then my gp put me on diovan 80mg and was doing so well she decided to reduce me again. Blood pressure got high again so was put back on the 80mg diovan a few wks ago. It still hasn't come down to normal levels though.is there some cumulative effect.makes no sense that 6 months ago the 80mg kept under control but now doesn't. Am frustrated that i wasn't kept on that dose. Anyway know why this might be

seefin · 14-04-2012 8:41pm

Have had high bp since early 30s. my gp put me on diovan 80mg and was doing so well she decided to reduce me to 40mg 6 months ago. Blood pressure got high again so was put back on the 80mg diovan a few wks ago. It still hasn't come down to normal levels though-have a home monitor and first time takin since dose increased to original levels.is there some cumulative effect.makes no sense that 6 months ago the 80mg kept under control but now doesn't. Am frustrated that i wasn't kept on that dose. Anyone have this experience? Will go to doctor next wk ,just can't understand it.

Hypertension/ High Blood Pressure

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