Blood pressure cuffs
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I had my blood pressure taken yesterday. I was at the podiatrist’s, so blood pressure isn’t probably that important, but still, if you’re going to take someone’s blood pressure, one would think you’d want to get a good reading.
Instead, they used that cuff that goes around the wrist. I have never had an accurate reading from one of those. At other clinics, when they’ve used that and I’ve seen the (way too low) numbers, they get me to a traditional cuff and re-do.
Yesterday, she did it twice, using the same wrist cuff. The second reading was marginally higher (for the first reading, the top number was 93, on the second reading, the top number was 100). But I know that is not what my blood pressure is.
This was my first visit there. The podiatrist was just ok. But the fact that they don’t care about the reliability of the blood pressure check really lowers my overall impression of the clinic as a whole. Maybe that’s a bit of an overreaction, I don’t know.
It just seems to suggest a lack of interest in patient health and a willingness to prioritize ease over accuracy.
Not, IMO, a good quality for any kind of doctor.
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@Mik said in Blood pressure cuffs:
They’re much more accurate these days. Mine is spot on.
You have a wrist one specifically?
I have never had an accurate reading from a wrist cuff. And I know my numbers are not that low, so there no way that reading from yesterday was accurate.
I don’t know if that means they had a crummy device, or maybe if it’s me…
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There are a lot of health professionals who don't take blood pressure correctly, so your podiatrist isn't alone.
My doctor measures blood pressure correctly, but not all of the nurses in his office do. They don't pay attention to feet dangling or arm position. And they often measure over clothing, which isn't the way it should be done.
Instead, they used that cuff that goes around the wrist. I have never had an accurate reading from one of those.
My doctor doesn't recommend the wrist BP monitors because he doesn't find that they are very accurate. I also found that to be the case, but I haven't tried one in probably 20 years.
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@ShiroKuro I think a lot of health care professionals are under pressure to push the patients through and the way the system is set up can force them to cut corners. I posted about what happened to Mr wtg during his knee replacement, with errors being made by the doctor's office, the surgical center, and even the pharmacist at Walmart. I caught a bunch of stuff; heaven help you if you don't have a knowledgeable advocate. I don't know that they were lackadaisical, but they definitely made mistakes.
It certainly isn't perfect and can use a ton of improvement, but what we have access to is still much better than what a lot of other people have to contend with.
When the world wearies and society ceases to satisfy, there is always the garden - Minnie Aumônier
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As WTG says, you cannot imagine the pressure to move patients through, not to mention all the other stuff they have to do after the visit - preauths, documentation.
You have to be your own advocate. if you are not satisfied with the reading, ask again, and specify what you found unacceptable - nicely of course. They will comply.
“I refuse to answer that question on the grounds that I don't know the answer”
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@AdagioM said in Blood pressure cuffs:
@wtg I heard a story on Science Friday on NPR yesterday, about taking accurate blood pressure readings. Here’s a link to the story, easily digestible. Blood pressure reading
Oooh...thanks for that link...I saw a short article about the arm position issue last week and wanted to delve into it more. Thanks!
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@Mik said in Blood pressure cuffs:
You have to be your own advocate.
I strive to do this -- for myself and for Mr. SK. But it's very frustrating to me that the risks are so high, given that we're talking about medical care.
if you are not satisfied with the reading, ask again, and specify what you found unacceptable
In this particular instance, I pointed out that the first reading was mostly incorrect, so she took another reading. It was still laughably low, so I said "I'm certain that's still not right." She sort of just shrugged.
Since I was at the podiatrist (and I've had my blood pressure read properly recently), I wasn't really worried about it, so I decided not to push it.
This is why is why it's problematic to have something be dependent on self-advocacy, because social norms and other kinds of subtle pressure make people hesitate. Or, you know, we're not the professionals here, so there may be things we don't know to advocate for, or don't know how to.
Again in this case, it's not a huge deal, and I have a PCP so if I'm worried about, I can go there. But it made me think less of the clinic.
If the doctor cares enough to require the nurse to check, both of them ought to make sure they're getting accurate readings.
Otherwise it's just performative.
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@ShiroKuro said in Blood pressure cuffs:
we're not the professionals here, so there may be things we don't know to advocate for, or don't know how to.
I have never let this stop me and offer my medical insights and opinions to my doctor on a semi-regular basis.
Fortunately he takes it in stride and manages to find ways to help me correct any erroneous ideas I might have, and to nudge me in the right direction. If I persist, he lets it drop without making a big deal about it. He's a really, really good doctor. Stays on top of things and is always looking out for the best interests of his patients. I think he's a rarity and I'm lucky to have him as my PCP.
