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after having low BP my entire life, I am now not only suffering with High BP but also just discovered the readings vary in each arm. I'm confused and doctor I'm using seemed baffled too. He's increased my Valsartan 3x times now and BP still hasn't normalized. In fact it remains the same.
What I'm asking (mainly) is has anyone else noticed or been treated for the difference in arm readings
I have made an apt with a new doctor and will see her in a few days.
after having low BP my entire life, I am now not only suffering with High BP but also just discovered the readings vary in each arm. I'm confused and doctor I'm using seemed baffled too. He's increased my Valsartan 3x times now and BP still hasn't normalized. In fact it remains the same.
What I'm asking (mainly) is has anyone else noticed or been treated for the difference in arm readings
I have made an apt with a new doctor and will see her in a few days.
I don't think it's all that rare to have one's BP vary arm to arm. Mine does and my doctor wasn't at all surprised. My brother had the same thing.
Do you also take your BP at home? I suffer from "White Coat Syndrome," a situation where my BP tends to go sky high when I'm at the doctor's office. The first time I went to my current physician, she noted my high reading at the beginning of the appointment. Near the end of our appointment, she guided me through some relaxation breathing exercises, then took my BP again and it was normal. She told me to get a home BP monitor, bring it in to see if it was accurate, and take my BP routinely at home.
I don't think it's all that rare to have one's BP vary arm to arm. Mine does and my doctor wasn't at all surprised. My brother had the same thing.
Do you also take your BP at home? I suffer from "White Coat Syndrome," a situation where my BP tends to go sky high when I'm at the doctor's office. The first time I went to my current physician, she noted my high reading at the beginning of the appointment. Near the end of our appointment, she guided me through some relaxation breathing exercises, then took my BP again and it was normal. She told me to get a home BP monitor, bring it in to see if it was accurate, and take my BP routinely at home.
thanks and yes- I take my BP at home 2x a day. It's been averaging 158/90 using left arm. Now today I began charting both arms.
after having low BP my entire life, I am now not only suffering with High BP but also just discovered the readings vary in each arm. I'm confused and doctor I'm using seemed baffled too. He's increased my Valsartan 3x times now and BP still hasn't normalized. In fact it remains the same.
What I'm asking (mainly) is has anyone else noticed or been treated for the difference in arm readings
I have made an apt with a new doctor and will see her in a few days.
How big a difference is it, and (if we may ask!) how old are you?
A significant difference may indicate an underlying problem.
Would you post your pressures here after you have done them for a few days? The article above tells you how to do it properly.:
"Standard measurement technique must include measuring the blood pressure with an appropriate-sized cuff at the level of the right atrium, with the patient rested for 5 minutes, and with her back supported."
The "level of the right atrium" is where you would expect your heart to be and assumes using an arm cuff, not a wrist one.
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