Using a blood pressure monitor

Is it OK to use an electric/ Battery operated Blood pressure monitor ?? Only had my PM for 2 weeks so I’m still learning !! 


8 Comments

Not a problem

by Theknotguy - 2020-06-10 17:59:11

It's not a problem.  Use one as directed.  I've had my pacemaker for six years and never had a problem.

 

Completely safe

by LondonAndy - 2020-06-10 18:15:23

And I am a great believer in having facts, particularly if something feels wrong.  For example, inthe early days after getting my device, if I felt dizzy I could take my blood pressure and pulse with one, and be able to say to a doctor "when this happened this was my blood pressure reading".

Remember to take your BP at the same time of day whenever possible

by crustyg - 2020-06-11 12:06:07

It's often helpful to record your BP soon after rising and around bedtime.

Consumer BP cuffs

by CyborgMike - 2020-06-13 02:46:11

I was getting consistently different readings at home vs the doctors office, so I brought four of my BP cuffs to Scripps, where they only do manual BP, to test each one. The diastolic on most was in the ballpark, but the systolic on all four was 15-20 points high (crazy!). So, I still use them (same time each day I use them) and look for changes up or down, but I know the systolic is high. I'd recommend taking your home BP unit in to the doc next visit just to check the accuracy. Not many consumer grade cuffs are accurate. 

Using BP monitor

by Sisterwash65 - 2020-06-13 22:20:28

Thanks for all the good advice. I am taking my BP in the morning and at night and keeping a record, written and on my app.

Due to my high BP, 163/84 two weeks in a row, my doctor wants to change my Lisinopril to 40mg/HCTZ25, once a day. I’m hoping I can keep it at 20mg/25.

Im very happy with how much better I feel and want to keep it that way.

Thanks to all !

Also I intend to take my BP monitor to the doctors office, as suggested here. 

Heart rate may be inaccurate

by Protimenow - 2020-06-29 14:46:21

Blood pressure monitors are designed to work with people with few or no arrhythmias. They can be confused by a number of different types of arrhythmia and if they're even able to get a blood pressure, the reported heart rate can be way off. 

When I was having my severe arrhythmias (more than one type of arrhythmia simultaneously), even the meters in the hospital couldn't take a good reading. 

You can probably assume that your meter may give a fairly accurate blood pressure reading (but don't count on it for absolute accuracy), but you should probably not put too much trust in the heart rate - especially if you've got heart rhythm issues.

Blood pressure monitoring

by Sisterwash65 - 2020-06-30 08:23:14

I did have bradycardia and had a PM placed on 5/28. I have felt MUCH better since. I have a lead in the RA appendage and the other in the RV Apex. I have been taking my BP daily and so far my pulse rate has not dropped below 70 but one time, and that was 69. I think my low rate must be set at 70. I go today for my first device interrogation with my doctor and device rep from Medtronic. I realize the BP cuff/monitors we buy at Walgreens aren’t hospital grade but probably close. I’ve had several monitors over the years and they have all had the “ shaky “ heart symbol to indicate arrhythmias. 

Blood pressure monitoring device

by naj - 2022-06-02 20:09:07

I have a couple blood pressure monitors and contacted both companies asking if ok to use with pacemaker.  Both companies said NO.  Can someone recommend a monitor that is ok to used with a PM.  I am very lightheaded when getting up in the morning since having the PM implant..  Thank you.

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