marinameggy
06-24-2009, 04:44 AM
My husband suffers from high blood pressure, but refuses to see a doctor. I've purchased a home blood pressure monitor
that tracks results for up to three weeks. While I think the home monitor is a great guide, I'm not sure I trust its accuracy. Does anyone know if home blook pressure monitoring kits are considered accurate, and are there any operation tips you can suggest to improve accuracy? Thanks!
bullwinkle77
06-24-2009, 12:31 PM
If he already knows that he is prone to high blood pressure and it is not managed to keep in the normal range (via meds and/or lifestyle change), he is playing with the odds of increasing his chances of having a CVA (stroke). High blood pressure can create the walls of ones arteries to be thinner/weaker in some areas and with the increased blood pressure flowing through could result in a stoke. Much like a weakened garden hose will spring a leak when the water pressure is increased.
You asked about the accuracy of home blood pressure cuffs....there are many different manufacturers of these. Some are wrist cuffs and some go around the arm. As far as accuracy goes, many of them are accurate, BUT I would periodically check it against the reading someone gets from a manual cuff and stethoscope.
As a healthcare provider who unfortunately sees younger and younger folks having strokes, I do encourage you to encourage him to see his doctor. Taking his blood pressure (which it sounds like you already anticipate will be high) will not aid in preventing him from having a stroke. He needs the medical management to get that blood pressure reduced ASAP. Lifestyle changes can also help, but take more time in reducing the BP. What is important is that the pressure gets taken off of the arterial walls ASAP.