24 hr blood pressure monitor

[joannie10]

Hi there, I have been having some BP issues and doctor referred me to BP Clinic to get a 24 hour monitor on. I chased this up today and due to postal strikes I have not received my letter but have to go to clinic on Wednesday. I tried to get information as to what this involves but could not - has anyone had this done recently and if so what does it involve? I am expecting that I come out and just go to work and do things as normal so they can record my BP levels. I read something else and it said that you have to just relax and then also said that you are unable to sleep as need to press something every 15 minutes! Also someone said it was a wrist monitor and other said it goes across body under the chest area. Any advice would be appreciated. thanks

[Richard1966]

I had one a couple of years ago. Its a standard arm cuff that is attached to a inflation and monitoring device that you can wear around your waist. During the day it goes off automatically every hour and at night every two hours. You are supposed to get on and do your normal thing, though that can be difficult if you are in a meeting and the thing suddenly goes off. I think that one gave the highest reading as i was trying to explain to twenty people what was going on as it took the reading. Sleeping is difficult as i woke every time it went off, but overall it wasn't too bad. I think they want me to do another one early next year.

[joannie10]

thanks so much for your response. I work on a reception desk but deal with phone calls more than actual people - do you think if I just had it under a baggy top I could still carry out my job ok and I do normally go to the gym , do you imagine they will be wanting me still to do that on Wednesday? Do you think I will be taking it back on Thursday? Sorry - so many questions!

[Richard1966]

I think if you wear loose clothes and skip the gym for the day you should be ok to do your reception job without any significant issues. I think the exercise you do at the gym might give an reading that is different to the others if it took a reading and this may raise more questions than its worth.

Hope it goes ok.

[joannie10]

thanks again!

[beso]

You don't have to press anything but they are so distressing because they wake you up all night going off that the blood pressure readings are all higher than reality.

[joannie10]

it does sound really annoying! To be honest I have not been sleeping well at all due to my high blood pressure and hopefully it will help them get to the bottom of it. Do they tend just to get you to wear it for one period of 24 hours?

[Eastender]

Hi I had one of these a few months back. You go to the hospital and they put the a blood pressure band around your arm attached to that is the monitor, which is attached to a belt that goes around your waist, you can take that of at night and put it on a bedside cabinet. It then takes your blood pressure every hour and 2 at night. You will know when its working as the monitor will bleep and the band will start to inflate. It should'nt hurt you. The nurse will make sure it inflates properly when first attached, just make sure its not to tight for you.

[Richard1966]

So. How was it?

[joannie10]

only actually got it yesterday morning and was ok - I managed to get through the day at work without anyone other than my immediate colleague knowing. I had a small battery pack on my side that had a tube that went under my top and down my sleeve to the cuff that was round my upper arm(just like normal thing for taking BP). Every half hour the battery pack gave a small beep then bp was taken. between hours of 10pm and 7am it happened hourly and there was not the beep - did not sleep great but managed to sleep through a couple of times. Have not to go back for a month to consultant!