+ 4 Make sure you're using the correct blood pressure cuff
Is your doctor using the appropriate blood pressure cuff to measure your BP?
Little anecdote about how I learned the importance of this question. My blood pressure has (supposedly) been not so great for a while. Diastolic was always okay, but the systolic was routinely between 160 and 190. Otherwise my health is perfect; my doc was practically marveling at how great my bloods are. But she was concerned that my BP is so high so young and sent me to a cardiologist for a stress test after I logged a bunch of similarly lousy readings with my unit at home.
So I'm at the cardiologist and I'm terrified, naturally. The tech looks me over, switches out the cuff for a larger one and puts it on.
"What's this?"
"An oversized cuff."
My blood pressure was 100/73. Even at a heart rate of 170 BPM on the treadmill it was only 160/80ish. Perfect.
I was like, "what the fuck?"
The cardiologist asked if I bodybuild.
"I try."
"Do you measure your arms?"
"A bit over 18 inches"
"You need an oversized cuff. Standard cuffs are only calibrated to yield accurate readings with arms up to 17 inches. A standard cuff will give you false readings."
Well damn. Bought an oversized home monitor and got good readings consistently. Went back to the PCP today. Standard cuff first. Typical shit systolic of 155. Then I explained the situation and made them use the oversized cuff. Systolic of 111. Booyah.
"Oh. Well, we really only ever use that for obese people."
Lol. I'm sure a lot of you know this already, but for all you brothers with over 17" arms, make sure your blood pressure is being taken with the appropriate equipment.
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Good story and good advice. Just as an aside..if you only have a small cuff, BP can accurately be taken at the forearm (as accurate as a digital machine can be, which is debatable). When admitted to ICU none of their cuffs fitted (18.5" arms)..so the cardiologist took the readings from my forearms.
My regular doctor uses large cuffs and my blood pressure is always normal or below. Everywhere else I get it taken, it's always high. My regular doctor always takes is manually as well (with a stethoscope) and not a digital machine. I think most digital machines and cuffs are garbage.
It's a little frustrating and can be worrisome when you can't get an accurate reading due to having bigger arms (18+).
Good enough bro. These nurses and wanna be nurses are great at some stuff but they are blondes when it comes to obvious stuff. They should have known better. Glad that scare is over for you.
Yup! I was shocked at how much of a difference the larger cuff made.
Solid info. Thanks for sharing.
Good info to know, thanks. UnfortunatIy think my arms are growing longer rather than wider. Probably gonna need the child size cuff soon.
do NOT tell this info to <25yo tren users!
Bingo. Had the same exact thing happen to me. I ask for the larger cuff and they give me funny looks. Also bring your home monitor In to the Dr with you to verify it's accurate. Had a very expensive one that was reading 20-30 points high. Went out and bought a new one that day.
I had almost the same exact story my doctor thought I was going to die he told me to lay down at his office and they were about to call 911. The other nurse asked the nurse that took my bp which cuff she used sure enough same reason she used to small of a cuff. They almost gave me a heart attack by the way they were acting. They retook my bp and it was at my normal range.
that's hilarious. I love that they're sitting there with a dude, shredded with 18+" arms and asked "do you bodybuild"... no. I just woke up one day like this.
unfortunately i'm shy of having to worry about that still. should need the XL by 2018 if all goes according to plan.
lol I'll give myself lean right now. Shredded is the next step within the upcoming months. Not claiming shredded till I'm single digits
fair enough... but still lol
RustyhookerSo true!!! Lately i switched to wrist bp monitor to avoid the bigger arm issues.
How are they? I've actually heard those can be inaccurate.
RustyhookerIts been fairly accurate. I'll check few times over 5 min period and its been consistant. Definitely will bring it with me as advised up above to next blood donation. Check its accuracy.
Last donation lady tried using small cuff. Lol. She couldnt figure out whats wrong. Lady, I'm 208 with 18's.... lol