Blood pressure readings are strange. Before I had a stroke, I'd never had a high blood pressure reading, so it came as a surprise. I wonder if I would have had a clue if they'd tested both arms? Probably not, but, you never know. I can lower my own blood pressure with meditation. Tibetan monks have been doing that for centuries. I got a high reading the other day and I said, wait, let me fix it. The nurse stepped back and I was able to control my breathing and stare at a corner and lower it to a normal reading within a minute. I expect anyone can do this. But, it's easier for me, because I can hear a high reading and I've had practice. I have such severe Tinnitus that when the pressure gets high, it becomes a horribly annoying noise of 'whoosh, whoosh' in my left ear. I've learned to take it down myself, without medication, to stop the noise. Anyone else have that? I confess, I still don't know what the numbers mean, I leave that to the medical experts. I just know what I feel. If anyone can explain it to me in BP for Dummies terms, go ahead.
Another thing I just found out..and I could kick myself for not knowing this sooner..is that there are adult BP cuffs and children's size cuffs. I always HATE having my BP taken, it's uncomfortable and sometimes downright painful. I'd rather have blood drawn any day than PB readings. The other day a smart nurse said, due to the size of my arm, she was using a child's size PB cuff on me. I was amazed at the difference. No pain at all. I'm going to request that next time. Also, it told me you should never allow a child to have an adult cuff used on them unless there is no other choice. It really makes a difference in comfort levels.
BP is pretty important, it can tell you lots of things. Any information you can add here?
The top number, called your systolic blood pressure, measures pressure as your heart ejects blood. The bottom number, your diastolic blood pressure, measures pressure when your heart relaxes and prepares for its next pump.
ReplyDeleteThere ya go sugar plum.
I also recall that you shouldn't take a pressure more than 3 times in one arm. After that you get a false reading
ReplyDeleteThanks, but, what do the numbers mean?
ReplyDeleteTricia, I did not know that. Thanks.
Normal pressure is 120/80.
ReplyDeleteI had a patient last week who said he was dizzy. His pressure was 82/41. Very low for both numbers. Heart not pumping well when it's that low.
Okay. What's an acceptable variation range? When do you get concerned?
ReplyDeleteI personally don't get worried if top number ranges 120-140 or Lower number 70-85.
ReplyDeleteAnything higher I'll tell their nurse. Especially if they have symptoms.
If it's high one time, no biggie, but if it stays high all day, they'll watch it closely.
What are yours running pat?
They're okay now. I have a strange bubbling sound in the blood vessels of the left side of my chest. I am the only one who can hear it. It's a new sound. I don't know what it means, if there's something odd or if my super hearing is getting more acute.
ReplyDeleteI know this won't be received well by most readers, but apparently bp is a cultural thing......
ReplyDeleteIn India, where there is much less heart disease, bp should be above 140 or there is cause for concern. They think (and possibly might be right) that we need good pressure to feed the organs and brain.
My bp is always low - between 80/48 and 110/60 and I'm pretty tired overall.
The newest ideal in the US is 115/75 but most docs are probably still using the old 120/80. And the latest studies say that the most important thing is to have 40 pts between diastolic and systolic, whether its higher or lower than the ideal.