Accuracy of manual vs. automatice BP monitors
Written by: Dr. Rowena | Posted: Mar 02 2010
Q: Are manual Blood Pressure Monitors, the type that you pump up by hand, any more accurate than the automatic BP Monitors that have an electric pump? Is there a noticable difference in BP readings with these two types of BP monitors or do they have about the same accuracy?
A: Used correctly, both types of monitors give accurate blood pressure measurements. Automatic blood pressure monitors leave less room for user error. However the gold standard for blood pressure taking is the mercury sphygmomanometer, a manual device. To read the current national guideline for taking blood pressure measurements click here.
Tags: automatic blood pressure, blood pressure measurement, blood pressure measurements, Blood pressure monitor, blood pressure monitors, bp, bp monitors, gold standard, Measuring Your BP, mercury sphygmomanometer, national guideline, taking blood pressureHow to measure bp
Written by: Dr. Rowena | Posted: Dec 14 2009
Q: Why on the first reading is the systolic higher, sometimes almost ten points, the second reading is lower and the third is even lower? I read that having three readings is a good way to take a blood pressure reading. My BP monitor can average three measures taken within ten minutes.
A: Blood pressure is not constant. Taking blood pressure three times in a row, allows your pressure to stabilize to the setting. The average of the three readings represents your typical pressure. Click here for a guideline that explains proper BP measuring.
Tags: bp, measureing bp, measures, Measuring Your BP, systolic, taking blood pressure, three timesCan the medication vanquish raise blood pressure?
Written by: Dr. Rowena | Posted: Oct 02 2008
Q: When my husband first starting taking blood pressure medicine it seemed to work but now it is elevated again. Could the drug Vanquish (for headaches) be causing this?
A: Vanquish contains acetaminophen, caffeine, and aspirin. The last two ingredients are known to elevate blood pressure, but occasional use should not be a problem. Since your husband`s blood pressure is no longer controlled, he needs to see his doctor. Also, frequent or unusual headaches should be evaluated by a doctor.
Tags: blood pressure medicine, medication, Medication Interactions, taking blood pressureWhen I first started taking blood pressure medication I had chest pains, is this normal?
Written by: Dr. Rowena | Posted: Sep 03 2008
Q: I take Bystolic 10mg and Benicar 40/25 (1 per day) but sometimes it gives me chest pain. My body wouldn’t tolerate these meds at first so my Dr. gave me a little at a time until I could take it. Is it ok to take them together?
A: Chest pain should always be evaluated by a doctor. Make sure your doctor is aware that you are having this symptom. Starting off at a lower dose is a way to build tolerance to a medication and this technique is frequently used. It is not uncommon to combine a beta blocker (Bystolic) with an angiotensin II receptor antagonist (Benicar).
Tags: beta blocker, blood pressure medication, chest pain, Medication Interactions, meds, taking blood pressure
