11 MISTAKES IN MEASURING YOUR OWN BLOOD PRESSURE
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- čas přidán 16. 05. 2024
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Pumping up the cuff until it causes the patient significant pain is also something that can raise blood pressure. That happens a lot. I have normal blood pressure and I always have to argue with the nurses. Their reply is that it's "standard" to pump it up to over 200. My blood pressure is normally around 120/65. Yet the repeated episodes of my arm getting tightly constricted, and painfully pinched, has given me white coat syndrome.
Based on this video, I'd say most doctor's offices don't know how to take BP!
Yea and as far as I am concerned, they are all of crap. Yea the nurse or whoever just work there like in some assembly line.
😂
or how to record a voice without deep ominous rumble...
Dear Adam, this video shud be part of all medical l clinics and First Aid training centres...outstanding service to humanity!!
I've been a doctor for 35 years and I learned something today. Good video.
?
@@towmlvb3423 😂 😆
Nice to hear from a doctor humble enough to publicly admit he didn't already know everything. Good for you- and for your patients!
@@towmlvb3423 I really admire this doctor for being so honest. Doctors are always discovering new things - you can never stop learning about the human body.
It doesn’t surprise me that you and your peers have so much to learn.
The last time I saw my primary doctor my blood pressure was 131/85. He immediately started talking about putting me on blood pressure medicine. I told him I barely had a chance to sit down when I came into the office and to give me five minutes. They came back in five minutes and took it and it was 125/83. He asked me what did I do and I told him I did deep breathing. He told me that's dangerous trying to control your blood pressure with deep breathing. I think it's dangerous going to doctors who don't even understand Human physiology. I'm on my own.
Breathing deeply gets nitrogen into the blood . Our busy lives are killing us. We need to breath
131/85 is normal
That doctor was so eager to write a prescription for you
131/85 wouldn't be high enough to put you on medication anyway. Although the approach is changing now from a national statistics point of view to further reduce heart disease numbers etc. But to me high blood pressure is still anything over 140 and anything under isn't worth the side effects of medication.
he is a Quack
Last GP visit my doc tested my blood pressure on my right arm over a long sleeved T-shirt and after I'd walked to the office. Declared me to have high blood pressure. Repeated 5 mins later with same result. I said I would test at home. Using these recommendations my blood pressure is actually very normal. Im losing faith in the medical profession.
Sad😢
Same here, I have to bring my numbers with me to prove I’m not like that at home..
You should have contacted that GP and told him of your findings, including his own bad practices that contributed to the high readings. A request for a refund of fees would not be amiss.
They want to keep you as a customer.💴 💰 💵
@@emh8861The chiropractors are the charlatans. Don’t lose faith, this guy is wrong, he doesn’t even know where the brachial artery is. A chiropractor is not qualified to give advice about blood pressure.
00:30 #1 Over clothing
01:09 #2 Arm not horizontal
01:43 #3 Cuff too tight
03:12 #4 Not testing rested
05:10 #5 Full bladder
05:38 #6 Legs crossed
06:11 #7 Caffeine
07:26 #8 Wrong arm
08:42 #9 Wrist monitor
10:35 #10 Talking
11:20 #11 One take
thank you for the summary!!
What about the size of the cuff? I am,.unfortunately , a big lady and my arms are sometimes too big for the regular cuff. I don't know which one to buy. Please help me.
Size of cuff makes a huge difference.
I have been told that by testing both arms, the doctor can tell if there a constriction in the artery's on one side of the body.
@@aidagonzalez1299 hi, big arms here as well... we have a brand called "Omron", the cuff is perfect for our arms. It is type "OMRON M3 HEM-7154-E". Best regards from The Netherlands.
My blood pressure might have come down a bit while watching just due to the calm and calming voice in this video.
How right he is !
I noticed that too! Bookmarked to watch when I take my BP each day! Very helpful. Lots of hints.
Mine too
😂. Yes
@@davidhunter3140 same here. I have to distract myself. Otherwise I get nervous and my heart just starts pumping hard even while measuring at home.
Sometimes during the day, my BP is 130/88, but just as soon as I relax for a few minutes, it's in the 110's over 70's. I could never FOR THE LIFE OF ME, to get my doctor to understand that. 25 years he wanted me on BP meds, and now at age 45 my resting BP is 110/75. Never took a BP pill in my life and I never will.
Good for you! I was foolish enough to take meds prescribed by an APRN who actually claimed to favor more "natural" remedies. She kept upping and upping my dosage, from 10 mg Lisinopril daily to 20, and I went along with it, because I let her scare me that I was going to have a stroke or heart attack any time. I wound up with tinnitus and hearing loss in a matter of days after taking the high dose. It's permanent. I haven't taken any pills since, and my blood pressure is fine...go figure. Of COURSE it can go up if the first thing they do when you walk into the exam room from the waiting room and they take it immediately, or after you've been zipping around the house doing chores, or exercising. Mine drops too, once I relax. I hate pills.
That pretty much sums it up for me too!
My aunt is the head nurse for over 30 years and she said that taking your pressure on your left arm correctly is more accurate than your right arm because it's CLOSEST to your HEART.
Bull. And asymmetrical BP's are diagnostic for many conditions.
One of the times my doctor took my blood pressure l summoned the courage to tell him that maybe my pressure was usually higher in his office than at home or at the drug store was because he tightened it to a painful level. He said it shouldn't make a difference. When a nurse at the hospital kept talking during the BP test, l asked her politely to stop and start again while postponing the question period for afterward.
My BP goes up while I'm waiting the hour and a half to two hours past apt. time to see doctor. I'm always in a fowl mood by the time I get seen
You must live in Canada.
@@Mrdubomb Or the uk
@@fredasidaravicius232 Or the US
Took the words right out of mouth🙂!
@@Mrdubomb agree, same experience here
I went to my Cardiologist after having back surgery just as a follow up. They determined my pressure was high and started me on new meds. Then told me to track it daily and to come back in a couple months. I did as was told and checked twice a day and plotted it on a spreadsheet and added a graph. The doctor was happy to see it and said keep up the good work. A year latter I saw a different doctor. I walked in and gave him my spreadsheet and graph, he laughed at me and told me I was wasting my time. Next time I went back, I made sure I did not see that doctor again.
“Have 5-10 minutes before taking my bp at the doctor’s office”? The nurse just slaps on a bp cuff as soon as I’m there, over my long sleeved clothing, and enters the number in my chart. 😢
Adam, here are four additional mistakes: 12. Taking your blood pressure in a cold environment. Your exposed arm needs to be warm, not cold with goose bumps. The same applies to your body temperature. Blood vessels contract when we are feeling cold which increases blood pressure. 13. Using an old blood pressure monitor that may have diminished accuracy. 14. Using a blood pressure monitor with diminished batteries. Whatever monitor you use, it needs to be operating at its optimum. 15. Taking your blood pressure when there is a lot loud or distracting noise going on around you. Keeping calm usually goes hand-in-hand with quiet. Personally, whenever I measure my blood pressure at home it is always first thing in the morning, lying in bed, before breakfast, before tea & coffee, and with an empty bladder. I put the cuff on and calm down for a few minutes with deep breathing then press the start button and dream of a sun-soaked sandy beach while the monitor does its work. I always take three readings, allowing a couple of minutes between each one. To be consistent, I believe it helps to measure blood pressure under the same conditions, and let's face it, you are rarely going to be more relaxed than in bed first thing in the morning before the activities of the day - including what you eat and drink - disturb your metabolism. I keep records of all of my 'at home' readings and show them to my doctor.
What has Adam got to say on all these points?
Ajab khan khattak.I like your method of checking BP n bed,but thinking of being at a beach on a suny day while u r actually not must b confusing the monitor.
I have definitely noticed the issue with cold temperatures.
@@ajabkhan9320 Great humour!🤣
Absolutely agree with your #12. I took a series of readings in a cold room and couldn't understand why my BP had gone up by about 10 points. Warm room, back to normal.
I have white coat syndrome due to my mother being hysterical about taking any medication for as long as I can remember (early childhood) to her death from a heart attack aged 59. It sub consciously coloured all my interactions with doctors from then on.However what has always shocked me is how indifferent doctors have been to my telling them this They will INSIST on taking my BP, then seemed shocked when it goes through the roof THEN take it again to the point where I literally had no pulse on one occasion. I can't tell you how many times I have been LECTURED about this, like its something I can control..Personally I see no worth in this procedure as there are so many many flaws in it..From the arbitrary 'normal' which was based on a young fit Marine in the 1940's...to the conditions under which its taken..to even the number of times its taken within an hour..Too many doctors are ignorant on this matter...I prefer my home monitor ..
I'm an Assistant in Nursing and I do medical observations constantly.
The most common mistake is actually using defective/uncalibrated equipment.
No one ever checks these things, they just use them day after day for months on end.
The main wear and tear issue is the cuff stretching/developing small leaks.
This gives you HIGHLY inaccurate, almost random readings yet most people (even doctors) will still record them!
Always check a sphygmomanometer before using it to check patient blood pressure.
it all boils down to profit margins, most company are not run by doctors but money man with no principles. like when i got a marginal case of high cholesterols, instead of advising diet change , exercise first, Nooó the greedy doc insists on me taking statins, even that recommend 20 mg. Why not start with 10 mg n see the next blood test, nooooooo....Doctors are mostly licensed drug pushers working for profits.
There was this husband n wife doctors who quit their jobs because their medical centers top executive ate pushing them to prescribe unneccessary expensive drugs to rich or insured patients to boost up profits.
Humans are corrupt no matter what profession judges or doctors or traffic wardens and of course politicians, there will be a large portion of corrupted ppl in them. The moment power is given to humans to decide the fate of another, the soon will be corrupt.
People with thorasic aneurysm they take in both arms at time of visit ...
Unbelievable.
The dials used to have a small "window" appearing mark at the bottom of where the gauge needle rests. If it wasn't within that window, it was considered "out of range" and needed calibration.
@@gpilsitz1783 I think most mechanical sphygmomanometers still have a red zone on the end for basic calibration but it's normally the cuff that is the issue.
The gauge itself may develop leaks or other faults and these days it's easy to just throw it out and buy another rather than repair/recalibrate that component.
The issue is how to actually check the equipment without dedicated specialist tools. Normally I just take my own blood pressure with it to see if it's in range.
Not ideal but better than nothing.
Excellent recommendations…. As a practicing Cardiologist, for over 47 years, I’ve seen significant variations in BP readings in the Rt & Lt arms. I check the BP in both arms , during the 1st visit. I use the Rt arm readings for monitoring the response to BP medications. I’ve also seen lower readings in the Lr arm, with normal readings in the Rt arm.
Dr Story, I have great respect and appreciation for your knowledge. As a nurse myself, I am tuned in to doctors who are not particularly respectful of nurses. Using the term "idiots" to refer to other healthcare professionals does not reflect well on you. Also, you might want to remember that some nurses are male (unless you think only female nurses lack competency in the many nuances of taking accurate blood pressure readings). You are so knowledgeable, and people are listening to you. Please be a role model for respectful conversation, even when you disagree with other healthcare professionals.
Sometimes the truth hurts, facts are facts.
Also an RN. You're exactly right. Thank you so much.
@@RubyW7944 The fact is that many of these Doctors are idiots themselves. They studied for years to be a Doctor and yet many do not learn how the human body works. 🤦🏼♀️
@@RubyW7944 There are ways to present facts and information without being disrespectful to others. It's hard being a female working in most professions, including healthcare. I stand by my reminder to Dr Story, while also appreciating his knowledge.
@@patriciadavismarn7055 My mother was an RN and I was an x-ray tech, and now I am a patient. The absolute incompetent, lazy, unprofessional things I witness by everyone, from top to bottom is ridiculous. It isn't just me that has noticed. Everyone has their own experiences and opinions.
Very interesting. I'm 56 years old. Never had high blood pressure. Went to 3 months after my physical and it was 144 over 100. I'm now checking it at home. Very informative informative.
If you read the directions on any home blood pressure machine it explains every single step that this doctor explains but when you go to your doctor they break just about every rule there is. I definitely think that most people are misdiagnosed. Incentive for profit? Who knows. I brought my machine in to check against my docs and it’s just about on spot. Trust your own readings in your own environment and take record of your own readings.
They are there to buy big house, and Merc brother, not for you 😊
I have a top-of-the-line Omron, and it most certainly does NOT say to use only the left arm. In fact, instructions include directions on how to use on either arm. Dr. Storey's other 10 points have merit, however.
I have had my pressure measured hundreds of times. I have never had it done incorrectly.
@@user-pm4sp3yr6g Same here.
IF,IF, IF. Probably the most important two letter word in our vocabulary, even God uses it quite a bit i.e. “If you will be my people, I will be your God.”
Thank you Dr. Story. Very informative. Love your videos.
This gentleman must have a hidden camera in my house somehow. In March of 2023 I had heart surgery. I have done these readings twice a day since then. I do EVERYTHING he has in this video. For anyone else I strongly urge you to memorize this video.
youre so funny buddy
Followed your channel for nearly 3 years. So far your advices on how to lower BP (excercise, diet & breathing excercise) has helped me significantly. My twice daily monitoring is stable at below 120/80 from 135/85.
All mistakes have been made for years (I'll withhold the name of the clinic). I drive 40 miles to the clinic after being up for a few hours, drinking a couple cups of coffee, 70 mph on the freeway with idiots all around me, into the office on time and have to wait 1/2 hour, then get in the exam room and immediately am cuffed tight and over my sleeve... usually voluntarily raise my arm... So of course Im 20 or 30 points higher than at home... I mention all this to my doc and he says - "well, you're probably right - our machines haven't been calibrated for quite some time." After many years on BP Meds, I gave them up - nearly all made me feel real bad... So now no meds for 6 years and my BP is around 116/70...I'm 78 and feel fine. I also take my home monitor with me for each appointment. Thanks for the very informative and helpful video!
Wow. That’s awesome
@@carlharding5311
Why would you say that?
A chiropractor has to have more education than a gp, not less. It’s simply a specialty field after becoming a Dr.
@@scostie the comments you saw were a troll. Don’t worry about it
@@carlharding5311
Is it though? What he’s saying is it’s read by the cuff through that area the best, per the manufacturers recommendations.
I happen to know this for fact since just yesterday I had an incident at home that needed medical attention. I first saw my daughter, who has been a nurse for almost 20 years and is well trained in this. I asked to check my BP just to be curious at what it was at an event of extreme stress on my part. She put the cuff she had on me sideways to what I thought was correct, without me saying anything about seeing this video. And I looked on her cuff and it said right on the side of it to do that. Just like this guy says.
Those are good numbers! My Dad is slightly younger than you, and I don't think he will ever be able to get off his meds. People say, "often we can lower it with lifestyle changes!" (getting more exercise, losing weight, changing to a healthier diet), but some people have high bp genetically and still need the boost of the medications after having done that. The male side of the family has a certain set of blood vessels that makes bp in the normal range without some help, virtually impossible. Even stepping up my cardio to 5 hours a week, had made it go down 3 points, at best. I often demand that the bp be done over towards the end of the visit and they're usually helpful. I also bring in my own device and show them the numbers I had gotten at home.
Love how you clearly give the correct versus the incorrect way to accurately take your BP. I had a doctor use my right arm and when I questioned him, I was told it doesn’t matter. I knew it mattered, however I didn’t want to argue. I have been doing it correctly apart from now waiting long enough sometimes for a resting heart rate. 🥰
This was so useful for me, thanks so much. Keep up the good work
Such a simple video with huge implications. Thank you so much, basic grass roots information like this gives us all the power to take control of our own health 🎉
Yes! Every time I go to my Dr, my bp is high. I told him it's because I'm at his office. Lol. When I check it at home, it's always in a normal range. Besides, knowing my bp rises every time I'm there, my mind/body decides, hey, we're here, time to increase. My Dr. allowed me a few months to monitor myself at home. I did so and took several readings throughout the day, wrote them down, and also made note of the time of day, recently had coffee, etc... He was happy with my numbers at my f/u and scheduled me for a yearly exam vs another f/u.
Dr.s make me nervous (and I'm an RN 😮). Lol
Isn't it interesting that the doctor tells you that your blood pressure is high... so that you need medicine?
It,s called white coat fever
I've always been the same way. I stopped going to the Doctor in 1986. 82 and still very healthy. Exercise and eat well.
It's like a comedy. Patient gets high blood pressure from seeing the doctor, doctor gives blood pressure meds, patient gets low blood pressure at home, doctor says "come to my office more often, so your pressure doesn't get too low."
@@peter5.056 Now, they have discovered cholesterol isn't bad. We all need it to make hormones.
The "dangling arm" advice needs to be adopted by just about every Doctor I have seen seen.
Its never happened to me in 40 years, I don't believe some of these "stories"
@@michpackfan Mmm apologies to ALL. A hastily finished post... which should have contained the piece about height of arm matching (approximately) the heart, that being the core of my support for the original talk.
They usually take my weight and blood pressure in the hallway as they walk me to the room. No place to rest my arm it just dangles by my side. This is a problem. Also with lymph nodes removed I can only use the right arm.
Excellent information, thank you so much. I’ve always used a wrist cuff BP digital monitor, so I’d be extremely grateful to you if you’d kindly make a similar type of informative video on using wrist monitors.
Thanks, Adam, for pointing out the right way in useding the blood pressure kit. Most appreciated.👍
Loved this information, I’m a CNA and I always take my clients blood pressure on the right side . I noticed tho that when I do go to the doctors office they sometimes have used it on my left arm. I didn’t think 🤔 it made such a difference, now I know better.Thank you for all this information.😊
Thank you for this, Dr. Story. I have asked at my own doctor’s office and I’ve only gotten vague and/or inaccurate answers. Your video has finally answered all of my questions.
Thanks for updating....Dr story,u r great....❤
Fortunately, my blood-pressure monitor came with a leaflet that explained everything you just said. And yes, the readings I take at home are done correctly unlike in a doctor's office. I've had it all: talking, cuff over a sweater, too tight, right arm, white-coat syndrome, having it taken at 5pm after a long stressful day, rushing to the appointment only to be made to wait over an hour and thusly really pissed off!! Higher than normal reading? Duh! Ya think so?! At home, whilst relaxed and doing it slowly, calmly and properly I have excellent BP and pulse readings. Great video! I smiled the whole way through, nodding and thinking yup, every profession has them...idiots!
One of the best instructions on the subject, thanks a million. BP is a grey area, with very dangerous consequences.
Thankyou so much for all of your helpful videos. You are a lifesaver. Bless you.
Thank you for taking the time to explain many different situations in detail. 🙏
great video and answered lots of questions and given lots of tips on how to do it at home correctly.
I've had cuff put over sleeve and thought "now how can that be accurate?" I've had them use the wrist thing and one reading was high 153/85 and they immediately go "you've got high blood pressure" and this after I've taken it at home resting which was in my normal range 120/65. I've had best results when nurse uses the old tried and true hand pump method instead of automatic. also some really tighten the sleeve down.
thank you so much for this video! I literally cannot take blood pressure medicines. And I am generally running getting things done as the mother of many and with a sick husband. However, when they have tried to put me on blood pressure medicine, my blood pressure shoots up to 200/110 consistently, I get ready to pass out. I have headaches, neck, pain, get rashes, get itchy, back pain, weakness, red eyes, my hands, and feet swell, and so many other symptoms. I am literally allergic to blood pressure medicines, but deep, breathing exercises, the gym, and eating healthy are my best remedy. I don’t feel like if I’m running around all the time and I go up to 140/85 is horrible because when I can get to the gym, I am say 117/74. Blood pressure medicines are not for me. Thank you for your honesty.
The proper way to check your blood pressure is to get your own portable machine and check it when you are rested!
That's right
Yes and No. Sometimes these are not calibrated correctly. Also positioning. What he said. Don't let the feet dangle either.
@@peterc4082 we have 2 machines that are always the same.
@@peterc4082don’t breathe,eat, sleep, drink, have sex for two hours before and you’ll be fine.
I do that, take a record, then take it to my doc!
Excellent description very thorough ... thank you,
This was amazingly helpful, thank you very much!
This is very informative and helpful. Thank you.
Thank you Doctor Story for clarifying the proper way to take BP!
Great video, very informative. My doctor, not the nurse, my doctor engages me in conversation while taking my BP. I have learned to just remain quiet during the exam. Of course I take it myself now on most days so I already know what it is before I see him. I look forward to your next video!
Very Valuable information on measuring blood pressure, this video should be watched by all people, appreciate it. Thank you so much Adam.
Thanks so much, Dr. Very helpful information. I have HCM and was prescribed several different medications to lower my blood pressure. But my cardiologist nurse performs several of these mistakes you mentioned every time I visit. I am understanding now why my readings at home are so different from the readings in the office. I will follow your advice and point out to my cardiologist any improper things I see next visit. Thank you so much!
Amazing. I've been doing it all wrong until now. Thanks for sharing.
Excellent advice. Thank you!
Very easy and clear explanation to understand for even normal people! And your tone, your voice is so adorable! Thank you so much!
This is exceptionally helpful, and timely. Thank you so much. 🙏
Thanks Doc. I am now an educated self administering bp tech. I now recognize my wild swing of higher blood pressure readings after coffee in the morning.
This guy is not a doctor in the full medical sense. This guy is wrong, he doesn’t even know where the brachial artery is. A chiropractor is not qualified to give advice about blood pressure.
Wow … I’m 67 … BP issues for over 40 years… never heard 70% of this info… thanks
Don’t lose faith, this guy is wrong, he doesn’t even know where the brachial artery is. A chiropractor is not qualified to give advice about blood pressure.
Where have you been that you did not have access to books, or doctors, or the internet?
Who that has BP issues, wouldn't take it upon themselves to find out how to properly take their BP? This is not new information, has been around for decades.
Thank you so much Doc very informative very clear explanation 76 year old grandma from Dulag,Leyte Philippines
THANK YOU. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. I eat healthy and exercise and have always been diagnosed with high blood pressure. I just took my reading with my arm down and again with my arm above my heart. HUGE difference.
Thank you so much for this advice! This is good to know for the next time I visit my cardiologist. I also take my own BP tests, so I will take note of it.
Thank you so much for this great information! Many blessings to you!!!
You are so welcome
Thanks a lot, Dr. Story.
So informative, bro 🤝🤝
Thank you for such a helpful video. Great information
On April 30th, I live in the Chicagoland area. I had a doctor's appointment. I just turned 65. I've been diagnosed with high blood pressure since 2005 or 2006. That doctor put me on Lisinopril 40mg, once a day. Still taking it. In 2018 I had pneumonia, then a different doctor prescribed Metoprolol Tartrate 50mg, 1 tablet twice a day with meals. The doctor I saw on last Tuesday. After watching your video. The nurse did about 3 wrong ways to check my BP.
1) Took my To soon.
2) Used wrist cuff in my right wrist.
3) the nurse put my hand over my heart.
4) My feet was off the floor on the bench. 161/121 was my reading. Didn't repeat at the end of the appointment.
Thank you for this information. I will say something next time anybody takes my BP. Kevin.
UHH. I LOVE YOUR VIDEO!!! I have written about this before. Firstly, thank you for showing people how to take their blood pressure. However, individuals in the medical profession DO NOT follow procedures properly when taking BP. When the BP is taken in the doctor's office, IT IS often DONE INCORRECTLY! Never do they mention emptying your bladder..wait and rest for 5 minutes and better yet, the Nurse/CNA/LPN will talk to the patient while they are checking the BP. The problem lies in the fact that these readings are what they based medication on. Even when a patient brings in their numbers from home, the doctor’s office goes by their nurses reading in the office knowing full well they have done it incorrectly. If the patient points it out professionally, it is NEVER well received. I feel the cardiology community should be taken to review boards on this matter...Frequently I think of how many patients are receiving medication dosages based on incorrect readings. I changed cardiologists because of it. I even asked my last cardiologist why I was on the medication and why I was prescribed a beta blocker. I did this because my primary doctor mentioned to me that I should ask him, because he had me on stuff for lowering heart rate but not pressure and it is for people that have had a heart attack. ( which I have NEVER HAD). HE COULD NOT AND DID NOT HAVE AN ANSWER to my question…So, slowly began weaning myself off of that stuff. I tried hibiscus tea… CHANGED MY DIET which was the most important thing… I tried a number of things, such as...started taking a glove of garlic every day... Take 30G of whey protein……beet juice… I didn’t take all of these at once, but I took them at different times over a year to find which was most effective for my body. I found that all of them work, but the duration is what I had to closely monitor. I had to take the beet juice 2-3 times a day, but my caution was the sugar...Hibiscus tea….Again I took it 3 times a day..Whey protein was VERY effective, but some of the research mentioned it my cause nasal congestion and I noticed it was giving me congestion, but my BP was VERY GOOD with WHEY! So the next thing I tried was garlic. The one clove of raw garlic has become my #1 because so far, it is VERY EFFECTIVE!. I peel it and crush it and it works for a full 24 hours... Let’s not forget, I walk every day for 45 minutes to 1 hour every morning(the beach walk clears my head in the morning) I work out 6 times and week and lost weight.
I from India.
Thanks for the systematic presentation on BP apparatus usage.
I appreciate the clarity of your presentation.
I have forwarded to many of my friends.
Thank you so much for this information. Thought I knew all the tricks, but you've taught me a few new ones!
1) over clothing
2) not parallel to the heart
3) cuff is too tight, should be able to fit 2 fingers
4) in line with the artery mark
5) test at rest, sit relaxed 5-10 minutes, perhaps at end of exam
6) don't have a full bladder
7) don't cross your legs. Have feet resting in the floor
8) don't drink caffeine prior, dont eat 2-3 hours before
9) Test on LEFT arm unless necessary, i.e pain, lymph node edema, etc
10) Don't use a wrist cuff, or test on calf, ankle. Left bicep is standard.
11) Talking while checking BP.
12) One take is high? Then rushes to medicate. Should only be done with a wide range of data points.
The point #5 is TRICKY. When testing your blood pressure this way, you are getting best case scenario readings based on a relaxed state. Now tell me honestly in to day's world, who is that much relaxed all the time ? Impossible, people are continuously on the go, stress, etc, so sitting down in a relaxed state would get you readings that are far better than you would normally have - which is why you should also take readings in other states to see how much higher it is, because if your blood pressure is consistently high and only normal when you are resting and relaxed, that can be a problem, since most of the time it will be very high, and if high how high.......many factors have to be taken into consideration. It is normal for BP to fluctuate based on activity, but if pressure is high most of the time, that's bad. If your blood pressure is only normal when you are sitting down relaxed in an optimal state, then there needs to be some lifestyle changes suggested, stress management, losing weight, activity, etc, before prescribing medication which often comes with side effects and long term health issues. Some medications are so bad and harmful.
YOU ROCK !!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thank You blondeenotsomuch !!!
First time listening to this video, thank you sir for the information I appreciate the sharing of this message ❤❤
God bless you! ......... will share with others.
Thank you
I’ve had the nurse walk me at a fast pace to the exam room and immediately take my BP. Dang let me catch my breath first. Also had them place cuff over clothes.
Awesome advice. You could also mention a little more about white coat syndrome. I suffer this terribly. Had to buy my own monitor, and have a great Dr , so no meds needed. So many are on meds that don’t need to be , because they don’t take this step . Once you get stressed about getting it checked, it’s hard to get it down . I had to do check daily for a few weeks to get my real numbers as I was getting worked up even at home checking. Thanks 😊
This is so helpful. And the comments are right on point...and it seems many of us have similar experience at the doctor's office 😢
This is absolutely fantastic. Thank you Doc
This is great advice.
I found other ones too ....dehydration ,certain painkillers like voltaren , stress ,llike moving house ....low blood sugar ...water retention temporarily ,cold ,flu or infection .. ..im not one upping you .i found this great ! Its my contribution from battling doctors . .in the end ,i had a 24 hr test where i was at home and it was taken every half an hour .i also think if it hurts ,that an added stress . Many doctirs cant be bothered changing to the bug cuff ...
Thank You! Thank You!! Thank You!! So many many doctors visit and this is the first time I am being educated about this. Please continue educating us about our health. 🙏
Thank you! Will do!
You are absolutely correct. I have been saying this for the longest. I get high reading everytime I go to doctors or dentist too. They use my rt arm, ask questions while taking bp, legs dangling, cuff to tight or small , arm down instead of at heart level.... I feel I do t need meds. They just need to stop stressing about the wrong reads They get for incorrectly Taking my pressure PERIOD. RESTING READINGS AT HOME IS ALWAYS LOWER Than the medical assistants give me!!!!!!! I know My body and it will tell me if pressure is high with ugly SYMPTOMS that can not be ignored. WE HAVE TO PAY ATTENTION TO OUR SELVES FOR OUR SELF....
However - If your BP is high at the doctors office it is also high in other situations as well.
After watching this video, I wonder how good the doctors and nurses are at the medical centre we've been to over 10 years.
How the GP took my blood pressure, it all depends on how their desk positions in the room. They had taken my blood pressure on my right arm, because that's how the desk was positioned; asked me questions during testing; on top of my sleeves, because it was too tight that I couldn't roll it up. As for their nurses, I had experienced 3 times, according to the mistakes you mentioned, I wasn't sitting in a proper position and definitely not at a resting stage, my readings were 180+ 😳, while my readings from home were normal.
It was fortunate that before my last visit, the GP asked me to take 2 readings per day for 2 weeks. I quited drinking coffee and my readings have been perfect. So the GP took my home readings and declared my blood pressure is normal!
Thank you this info is vital i ask the nurse why she took my bp from my right arm she said it does not matter i did not believe her thanks for clarifying this you are the best god bless ❤
Excellent information. Thank you.
Great information! So many things I was never aware of when monitoring my blood pressure.
Thank you so much for this helpful information. I’m finally getting the accurate consistent readings.
I monitor at home and have always had inconsistent readings, fluctuations of up to 50 pts.
I tried your method and BP is finally consistent. In fact today was 106/58 while result from earlier before watching video was 149/89.
Five years ago I fell and broke my right wrist. Misdiagnosis led to complications and several surgeries over three + years. Pressure from BP cuff caused excruciating pain in my wrist.
My wrist is much better now but any time I need BP taken I explain my wrist situation and insist they measure using my left arm.
Amazing how I no longer need to have stressful conversation to get them to use my left arm.
Super good knowledge thanks ! I had very high reading at the Dr. office I said to the nurse "no way" she said ok I'll do it manually she did and it was fine....
I'm so greatly enlightened with this information..thanks...
Best explanation on how to measure blood pressure correctly. I’ve been measured all wrong in medical clinics. Thank you for sharing your knowledge ❤️🙏
I’ll be 70 in July and have been managing an elevated BP since January with great success. I do it in my reading chair after going to the bathroom every morning and usually start off around 135/75 but after relaxing for a few minutes am able to bring it down to around 110/70. My doctor was stoked at my last visit. Been watching your videos, following your advice, and checked off on all 11 do’s the first time through. Thanks for the advice! Feeling pretty stoked.
I turned 64 last week and I've had the same I'm finally off two bp meds I was on for 30 years all because of White Coat Syndrome. My BPs are running less than 130/80.
Stoked?..
Me, too. Turning 70 on July 28th! WAIT!!! That can't be right! I'm sure I'm only 30!!!
Excited. @@user-xs9fp3ic9y
Awesome explanation Adam. I really appreciate it, I had a stroke a TIA back 10 months ago, my BP when it happened was 235/168 it was pretty scary for me, and a brain clot and thankfully I came out with no side effects only a little memory loss but it's getting a lot better now, it's my first time on high BP pills so I have a few ups and downs but my BP is finally regular but I want to get off my pills and I quit drinking and no energy drinks lots of exercises and I went from 264 lbs to 223 lbs in 10 months with my lifestyle changes. it really woke me up , cheers Paul
Very well done
Thanks for the valuable info!
Thank you!! They have been doing this for so long OMG
very good information that we need to know, thank you
I reduced my BP from an avg. of 146/88 to 121/74 and recently thought I could go back to some of my bad habits (specifically coffee and sugar). Big mistake. My BP has started going back up to 135/83. I take my BP 3 times a day (morning, noon and night) and have been measuring, and recording, for 3 months. The most significant improvements have been to do breathing exercises twice a day and dramatically reduce my salt intake. I walk approx. 3 miles a day and also take beet root, potassium, and manganese supplements. I listen to Dr. Story religiously and definitely think he has increased my lifespan (I'm 72) and intend to live a lot longer because of his input. I got scared approx. 4 months ago when I measured my BP and it was 182/106 - and that was enough to make me change a lot of established (bad) habits. Thank you Dr. Story, you are enjoyable to listen to and provide easy to understand recommendations.
Sugar is the number cause of High blood pressure. Sugar damages the cell's mitochondria leading to faulty metabolism.
@@UncleNadyxStudios Thank you for the reply. I reduced my salt intake and replaced it with potassium and saw significant improvement. (I didn't realize how much salt was in everything). In regards to sugar, I use honey as a supplement for many foods, but after seeing a reduction in BP I thought an occasional increased my sugar intake would be minimal. I still have a way to go in regard to self discipline - but I'm getting there. Again, thank you for the input, it is very appreciated.
Hi, how do you rake your beetroot? Do you blend it whole or boil it?
What breathing exercise did you do please?
@newramesh One breathing exercise I do to quickly lower blood psi is to breathe slowly thru your nose but send the air deep into your lower lungs.
You will notice your stomach rise but not your chest .
( It takes practice )
Once youve sent Oxygen to your lower diaphram , slowly exhale out your mouth
Do this several times slowly .
I learned this from a Chinese Man years ago who noticed most ' Westerners ' only use the upper part of their lungs .
As someone who has been through all this, a few comments.
1) Caffeine actually reduces my blood pressure. What happens is I had already changed to a very low sodium diet, but I do drink (too much) caffeine, and recognize that it could give an artificially high reading, but also, I was drinking caffeine during my busy period of the day when I really don't have the extra 10 minutes to settle down and do nothing. Hours later I do have time, and then the result is that the low sodium causes dehydration and lower blood volume, lower blood pressure. This is not just theory but observed through daily monitoring. Of course everyone is different.
2) Along with what I wrote above about not having the extra 10 minutes, I also realized that even though your BP reading is supposed to be resting, that if you are hardly ever in this resting state, then your resting blood pressure of relevance then effectively becomes whatever it is all day long. When I first started monitoring my blood pressure, I would literally try to sit very still, even controlled slow breathing, then realized that this is ridiculous because my BP would not be this at any other moment, no other time of day (possibly asleep, lol) and there's no real benefit to making it look like my BP is lower than it ever is in daily life. That just does me a disservice because my regular blood pressure all day long IS higher than that, not just my super-high-activity blood pressure.
I also have a problem with blood pressure cuff tightness in that my arms are fairly muscular and if I put the cuff on straight, meaning straight (lol, overlapping and the velcro attaching like it should), then the muscle results in the upper side being about 1 finger tight, when the lower side can easily get 3 fingers in.
Over a sleeve or not, I don't feel like that matters a lot. Yes it can change my BP by a single-digit, but if I'm that close to a high BP, it's not as though a single digit difference means I'm in or out of the woods, as my BP can vary that much from one day to the next anyway. IMO it is more important to be consistent in how you take it and also, of benefit to take your BP monitor with you when you visit your doctor so after s/he gets a reading, you can repeat it with yours to compare the numbers because sometimes those at-home BP monitors and/or the user's technique can make them less accurate.
Ultimately I found that stress makes my BP rise more than anything (now that I'm on a lot sodium diet at least) and I am pretty aware that my BP will be high based on how I feel when I take the reading. Some people say you can't feel high BP but I definitely feel it.
Thanks for taking time to make a great video doc. Very useful and confirms I don't always get my b.p. checked correctly. Now I know the procedure detail. 👍
Last time the GP took mine he used my right arm, was talking with me about CANCER, expecting me to answer and provide background information, and preparing to refer me to a gynaecologist for further tests. He (whom I had never met before) had also just performed an vaginal exam on me! Funnily enough, my BP was off the scale high. Ludicrous!
You are 100% right, most people don’t know, even Nurses in doctors offices. Thanks
Thank you for your information about blood pressure. Will do all that you spoke about.
Thank you. I have seen rushed BP so many times. I always try and correct the problems.
Every doctor's office I've been in for over a decade has done one or more of those wrong methods of taking my blood pressure. I never thought they were doing it correctly but now I know for sure. Thank you!
Indeed. Makes you wonder what else they do wrong.
Well explained and it makes so much sense . i have white coat syndrome always goes up when i go to the doctors , at home is fine .
Same here. Could take in car go in doc office it's always higher. I have a new doctor he listens to me and now my White Coat Syndrome doesn't show up at all now. I believe it's the doctor
Dr. Story, thank you very much for this info!
Wow, been doing this wrong for so long! What a difference in knowing the correct procedure. Thanks for such an informative video.
Thank you very much for educating me, I am changing doctors.
So am I 😮
Very valuable pointers.
Thank you. It is very important to know to get
Right result.
I've stumbled your channel and I'm thankful I did because I have learned how to use my BP monitor properly.
Thank you so much.
Welcome!