If you measure your own Blood Pressure do you take it on both right and left arm? Mine is always lower on the left.

[Woodznutz]

All knowing AI says it is becoming SOP for dentists to measure Blood Pressure.

I've never had my BP checked by a dentist or oral surgeon and I've had some pretty serious oral procedures.

 

[Woodznutz]

My blood pressure has been trending higher (thanks, teaching career), so I invested in a really good home bp monitor. It's more accurate than the wrist cuffs, but I still get wildly different results. I'll take it and it will be like 112/80 and then again a few minutes later and it's like 135/90 or something. I don't know what's up with that.....

Your lower number is pretty high for a senior. Are you on BP meds?

 

[Woodznutz]

I use a regular blood pressure cuff, usually upper left arm because it's closest to the night stand.

I broke my wrist as a kid. Using a wrist cuff on it gives a sky high reading that scares the shit out of anyone taking it. LOL

I take mine on my left upper arm because I'm right-handed and it's easy to do. However, most nurses take it on my right arm. Maybe because that's the way I'm seated in the exam room.

 

[SweetSue92]

Your lower number is pretty high for a senior. Are you on BP meds?

5 years ago a bp of 140/90 was considered normal. They lowered it to put everyone on the meds.....half of American adults are on them, and now even more will be. Bad news, don't you think?

 

[Woodznutz]

5 years ago a bp of 140/90 was considered normal. They lowered it to put everyone on the meds.....half of American adults are on them, and now even more will be. Bad news, don't you think?

I think they are realizing that they are now the victims of their own success. However, they still live in their own professional bubble. I think they are hoping that RFKjr. can lower the illness rate just enough for them to maintain the rich harvest that comes from treating disease without being overwhelmed.

 

[MarathonMike]

Does that mean you're a leftwinger?

Well I am left handed so yeah, sort of!

 

[MarathonMike]

It’s not uncommon or concerning for BP to vary a hit between arms

If your measuring your BP daily you should always use the same arm to make the overall trends more accurate

Checking both arms is not necessary unless your trying to confirm some abnormal result

My routine is to always measure right first, then left so I am doing that. A large difference between right and left is a pre-indicator of a serious problem.

 

[MarathonMike]

My blood pressure has been trending higher (thanks, teaching career), so I invested in a really good home bp monitor. It's more accurate than the wrist cuffs, but I still get wildly different results. I'll take it and it will be like 112/80 and then again a few minutes later and it's like 135/90 or something. I don't know what's up with that.....

Is your heart rate higher along with higher BP readings?

 

[SweetSue92]

Is your heart rate higher along with higher BP readings?

Never checked at home, but DEF at the dr office. I have white coat syndrome!

 

[MarathonMike]

Never checked at home, but DEF at the dr office. I have white coat syndrome!

So do I. Wrist cuffs are easy to use at home and give heart rate and Blood Pressure. FYI