tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4738062031052371885.post8067334634341639698..comments2024-03-17T10:07:53.205-07:00Comments on The Well-Rounded Mama: The Importance of Blood Pressure Cuff SizeWell-Rounded Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04129621631406155340noreply@blogger.comBlogger34125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4738062031052371885.post-57659217018660829162019-03-28T22:55:51.340-07:002019-03-28T22:55:51.340-07:00I have nothing but wonderful things to say about t...I have nothing but wonderful things to say about this product! I am currently a first year medical school student, and one of the first clinical skills that I had to learn was how to take an accurate blood pressure. <br /><br /><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Santamedical-Adult-Deluxe-Aneroid-Sphygmomanometer/dp/B00ACBKNS6" rel="nofollow">Adult Deluxe Aneroid Sphygmomanometer</a>Harish Kumarhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01453582554007504213noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4738062031052371885.post-8441979404066285752017-03-16T13:53:56.026-07:002017-03-16T13:53:56.026-07:00I've noticed that there can be a big differenc...I've noticed that there can be a big difference in pressure readings depending upon A LOT of things, like whether your BP is measured by a person or by one of those automated cuffs that they have at some clinics and offices now. It isn't a surprise that the machines aren't concerned about cuff size or patient comfort. It is very disappointing that it seems quite a few medical personnel aren't concerned either. Cultural bias against large and overweight people is nothing new, but it seems especially insulting when you get it from a doctor - someone who should be more aware. No wonder you have "white coat syndrome," a type of emotionally reactive blood pressure. Everyone has this to some degree, but some people have very highly reactive blood pressure. Something happens that is emotionally activating (anxiety, anger, etc.) and the blood pressure temporarily elevates or even skyrockets. Anxiety about a medical check up is the classic. But the BP could spike during an argument (or even anticipating one) or being stuck in traffic or hearing a sudden load noise. Ten minutes later the BP will be completely normal. Not all doctors or nurses bother to recheck high BP towards the end of an appointment, despite pretty much universal awareness of "white coat syndrome," and even for a patient who specifically asks. Blood pressure is supposed to be adaptive and it shouldn't surprise anyone if it reads a touch high if you just dashed in to an appointment, have had alot of job stress for the past week, are used to being treated like a moron by medical professionals and so have an aversion, etc. I also feel that it is worth mentioning that taking blood pressure manually is a skill. Not all the nurses and doctors and technicians and assistants are equally skilled at taking blood pressure, or doing anything else about their jobs for that matter. Just like any other population you might be assessing for a trait, if you looked at all doctors or all nurses and tested for skills, talent or job performance, you'd pretty much get a bell curve. That means there are many doctors and nurses who are below average at doing what patients rely on them to do. That doesn't seem to stop some medical professionals from sporting a serious arrogance problem. It isn't merely unpleasant, it can, AND DOES, get people hurt and killed. If you have reasons to be worried about blood pressure, I really think it is worth learning how to take your own blood pressure readings. The equipment isn't that expensive and no one will care more about your health than you could. It is an easy way to have a second opinion. Anything you can do to increase your ability to self-advocate is good. At the very least, insist on being treated with respect by medical professionals, and don't settle for incompetence. Someone wrote earlier about a doctor who claimed he'd never heard of different sized blood pressure cuffs. That is either gross incompetence or malicious arrogance and either is a good reason to walk out of that office and never go back. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4738062031052371885.post-3243834987999249182017-01-29T09:32:30.639-08:002017-01-29T09:32:30.639-08:00Thank you for posting this. I'm putting a link...Thank you for posting this. I'm putting a link to your page on my blog - LessofMe. My doctor wanted to give me blood pressure medicine but I've noticed that it's only been high since they've been using the automatic blood pressure tests which are extremely painful. I'll be sure to check the cuff size next time I go in.<br />Ann Ann Summervillehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13300190648788509096noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4738062031052371885.post-67455574144753741342016-03-15T21:32:47.989-07:002016-03-15T21:32:47.989-07:00 You may really have normal size arms nut with a l... You may really have normal size arms nut with a lot of flabby skin. When the BP is taken. That flab has to spread out and that equals<br /><br />Two or more bursts of the pump.now the blood vessels start to occlude. If the reading goes too high the machine reboots maybe even several times. This is done on an already congested arm and vessels, so an accurate reading is not possible. Btween each reading ing right or wrong the arm should be de congested. Simply done by raising it high and milking the congested blood Down.<br />All of the rebooting hurts and the anxiety increases. I think it is time to go back to the drawing board and re look, rethink and re teach this technique. What a saving it could be in pills, and peace of mind. Sirrahb.bBerylharrisnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4738062031052371885.post-17964923729820342922016-02-09T13:00:30.504-08:002016-02-09T13:00:30.504-08:00Alex, cutting down on salt and eating more potassi...Alex, cutting down on salt and eating more potassium-rich foods does help some people, so it's worth trying. However, it doesn't work for others. There are multiple paths to hypertension, so it makes sense that there isn't one thing that would fix it all. Well-Rounded Mamahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04129621631406155340noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4738062031052371885.post-26073428719477775892015-12-18T17:19:33.589-08:002015-12-18T17:19:33.589-08:00I've just went through this experience myself....I've just went through this experience myself. My doctor couldn't find the large cuff so he used the one that just fit my arm and my systolic pressure was 170. His assistant then walked in with the correct size cuff and my systolic pressure was then 130. That's a huge difference. I've been looking for my own home blood pressure monitor so I can keep tabs myself but trying to find one that is reliable and also offers a large cuff is difficult. Considering the increase in obesity and the importance of the right size cuff I don't know why more manufacturers don't take this into consideration when designing their products.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4738062031052371885.post-22251640521768642862015-09-18T19:23:12.791-07:002015-09-18T19:23:12.791-07:00Great read... my wife and I also had to monitor he...Great read... my wife and I also had to monitor her BP constantly throughout both of her pregnancies. It's all a bit nerve-wracking if you ask me! Thanks for sharing :-)EJhttp://skintighteningsage.com/ultimate-skin-tightening-primer/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4738062031052371885.post-64313409541966425592014-11-02T08:51:57.107-08:002014-11-02T08:51:57.107-08:00Amen, Anonymous. Glad you found the inner strength...Amen, Anonymous. Glad you found the inner strength and self esteem to switch providers.Well-Rounded Mamahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04129621631406155340noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4738062031052371885.post-13063177002739928332014-11-01T20:09:49.324-07:002014-11-01T20:09:49.324-07:00I just wanted to add my story here as well as my t...I just wanted to add my story here as well as my two cents as I find this subject very relevant for everyone, but especially for those of us who have been stigmatized for our weight by Dr's.<br /><br />Yes, cuffs are important and yes I notice the difference when they are used correctly, although thankfully I'm in range with any cuff (under 137/84 at all time). However, there are other things which will affect your blood pressure at the dr's office which should really be considered. The most important is how safe you feel. I don't know about you, but as a "fat chick" I don't feel safe or cared for in Dr's offices. So of course when I go in my BP is usually 137/84 but at home on my arm cuff (I don't trust the wrist ones) it is 105/62. Why? because I feel judged and stigmatized at the Dr. So naturally, when you feel this way, you're much more likely to have what they call "White Coat Syndrome". I have come to name this, "your profession has treated me like crap my whole life syndrome". Of course, after they are mean to you and treat you like shit for years/decades they have the gall to say YOU have the "syndrome". The best advice I can give here, even as a lady with normal blood pressures, is that if you don't feel safe or comfortable at your doctor's office, get the hell out of there and find another one. This person is giving you life altering care, as in it could kill you or save you care, so if you don't trust them or they don't listen to you and take you seriously, why the hell would you trust them with your life? <br /><br />I have sadly had to do just that with an OBGYN this pregnancy who, in spite of a pre-pregnancy A1C of 5.1 and good fasting #s before the pregnancy said my gestational diabetes (diagnosed at 24 weeks) was really Type II. She flat out called me a liar, saying my in range BS numbers in my GD logs were not true and that I had been misdiagnosed as non-diabetic. She then had me take an A1C (at week 28) which really would only show if I had GD earlier than diagnosed. Well, that A1C came back also at 5.1. She never called to give me the results, I had to call her office. So, even totally healthy and with all the data/proof of my health staring her in the face, this "Dr." believed I was unhealthy simply because of my weight. Now, tell me, how the hell are we supposed to feel "safe" and "at ease" in these offices? How can they expect us to have accurate BP readings under these circumstances. As a result of the above I switched practices and my first question to my new practitioners was, how do you treat overweight women? If her answer had been anything other than, "like we do all women" I would have walked. Still, I have panic attacks almost every visit and as such, my 105/62 BP readings can go higher, sometimes as high as 137/84. This is a totally NORMAL and HEALTHY reaction to fighting for your life, and if you have a poor relationship with your doctor, and they are deciding what meds to give you or not to give you, that is the very real truth of what you are doing and make no mistake. So don't just make sure you have the right cuff, make sure you have the right doctor and healthcare team. If they won't listen to you, find another doctor. Your life is worth the extra trouble and you are just as worthy of receiving quality, compassionate care as the skinny person in the other room.<br /><br />**stepping off my soap box**Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4738062031052371885.post-77029401144575999572014-08-23T16:26:50.979-07:002014-08-23T16:26:50.979-07:00I've often wondered why my blood pressure is a...I've often wondered why my blood pressure is always higher when my midwife does it (smaller cuff).Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4738062031052371885.post-57550029948542803142013-06-18T20:36:10.452-07:002013-06-18T20:36:10.452-07:00Vesta, I think I would invest in a cuff made to fi...Vesta, I think I would invest in a cuff made to fit your size. Amplestuff has some. You need accurate numbers on which to make decisions. Take your BP at home with that cuff and also at the dr's office with that same cuff for consistency. <br /><br />The difference could be White Coat Hypertension (stress from being evaluated), you could be normal at home at that time of day but higher while on the go or at a different time of day, or the wrist cuff may not be that accurate.<br /><br />Seems to me like the best thing to do is to get a cuff made for your size of arm and use that consistently. Then you'll have accurate data on which to base your medication decisions.<br /><br />I hope you get some answers soon.Well-Rounded Mamahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04129621631406155340noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4738062031052371885.post-60024456906138845192013-06-17T18:15:47.704-07:002013-06-17T18:15:47.704-07:00I have been trying to tell the clinic I go to that...I have been trying to tell the clinic I go to that they're using the wrong size BP cuff, but they insist that the thigh cuff will work. I just measured my upper arm and it's 24", or 61 cm. My BP is always high at the doctor's office (usually something like 145/80 or so) but it's usually 120/70 or less when I take it at home with my wrist cuff (I haven't been able to find a regular cuff that fits my arm). It's also very painful when they take my blood pressure, but I chalked that up to having fibromyalgia (I have cried a few times, it's been so painful).<br />So the doc insisted that I start BP meds, but lo and behold, when I went back for a check-up 6 wks after starting them, my BP was still in the 140/80 range (can we say too small cuff and pain?). At home, my BP has been running 100/60 or less since I started the BP meds. Now I'm at a loss for what I should do. Should I continue the meds, should I demand another cuff be used, should I try to find my own cuff (that's actually made to fit my arm) and make them use that?vesta44https://www.blogger.com/profile/15480692717585745934noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4738062031052371885.post-3429871565856357112013-03-16T19:16:07.542-07:002013-03-16T19:16:07.542-07:00My mom is in her 90's and has a lot of loose s...My mom is in her 90's and has a lot of loose skin which makes use of a cuff a bit of a challenge. <br /><br />The skin layers or mushes together accordian fashion and the readings are not comfortable at all for her.<br /><br />How do others handle this when chosing a cuff size?Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07693940593655396189noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4738062031052371885.post-46054503698418341832012-09-16T05:05:09.310-07:002012-09-16T05:05:09.310-07:00Okay, I am a "skinny chick".
GP's ...Okay, I am a "skinny chick". <br /><br />GP's reading for my BP is something like 11/7 or 12/7. <br /><br />I could read on her cuff that the cuff she uses for me is a children-adult-adult large cuff.<br />Means it can accommodate a child, a regular adult and a large adult. <br /><br />I have a 22cm arm (I am 1.52m for 42 kilos, max 43. No, I don't waste from AIDS nor I am an elderly frail, I am 26 and apart ADHD and Single Sided Deafness, GP says that I am healthy. Eating healthily and in love for exercise). <br />But amazingly, adult or child cuff, doctors find the same BP reading with me. <br />Even at my local adult ER, where they use only adult cuffs. <br /><br />Okay, I live in France. <br />Maybe the lowest threshold for BP cuffs are lower than the US standards (because the average adult arm size can be smaller in one country than in another). <br />Or maybe because we can find BP cuffs who can accommodate children and regular adults <i>on the same cuff</i> (I notice that here, many GP have one cuff which can accommodate children and regular adults. It is quite common here). <br /><br /><br />Do cuff who accommodate children and regular adults on the same cuff exist in the US ? <br />Or is it something typically French, or European ? <br /><br /><br />But next time I have a doctor who finds me a BP like 9/4 whereas I feel perfectly fine, I will ask him which cuff he uses. It may save me an unnecessary hospital stay (as high BP can be a side effect of Ritalin I take for ADHD)...<br /><br /><br />On the other hand, my BP lowered as soon as starting to take Ritalin. <br /><br /><b>Disclaimer : <br />Never ever take Ritalin as a weight loss drug<br />Take Ritalin if it's medically necessary for treating a health issue (ADHD, narcolepsy).</b><br />But as Ritalin is <i>not</i> an innocent pill you can take like you would drink water, <b>it must not be taken as a weight loss drug</b>.Giulianoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4738062031052371885.post-68319594042269131672012-06-26T15:45:02.191-07:002012-06-26T15:45:02.191-07:00I recently went to the doctor and the nurse took m...I recently went to the doctor and the nurse took my blood pressure. I cannot remember the bottom number but the top was 170. I've only had it at this number when i was having tests or going into emerg. When I stop at the pharmacy it has already dropped 40 points. <br />Well anyway the cuff got so tight when the nurse took it,rog it seemed to be on so long my fingernails even hurt. Then she let it out so slow. Couldn,t wait for it to get off. Ever since my pressure has been high.<br /> I now have pain in my hand and shoulder. Also a bruise formed on my forearm. Could she have done damage to my arm.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4738062031052371885.post-65550109729114805692012-06-24T11:57:35.571-07:002012-06-24T11:57:35.571-07:00I was in the hospital this past week and I had a v...I was in the hospital this past week and I had a variety of people taking my blood pressure, when it was taken with the right size cuff on my upper arm it was fine every time, but they took it with various sized cuffs all over my arm and it just got to the point where I just stopped arguing with them about it. But as I was leaving, the nurse was telling me they've never had a patient with such a large range of blood pressure. I told her that's because it was taken with different sized cuffs from different parts of my arms and not because of me, but she was unmoved.<br /><br />Then later in the week, my husband was at the doctor and the large cuff in the exam was a very small large cuff, even the doctor said so and acknowlegded that was too small, but that didn't stop him from giving my husband a high blood pressure lecture.Katehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12662034858495383191noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4738062031052371885.post-62289551784627189612012-06-21T13:23:44.638-07:002012-06-21T13:23:44.638-07:00Anonymous, you don't mention whether or not yo...Anonymous, you don't mention whether or not you've measured your arm. That's the only way to know what cuff you should be using. You need to know your upper arm circumference in cm, and then you need to know what the "large" cuff serves....some large cuffs go bigger than others. So there's no way for me to know whether or not your dr used the correct cuff of not, and therefore whether that BP was accurate or not.<br /><br />You need to find a doctor you can trust to take this issue seriously so that you can get accurate data. If your BP is truly being measured with the right cuff and it's that high, then you DO need BP meds. It's no shame to take them; many people (both skinny and not) do. If they are making you feel poorly, then the dose or the type of med needs to be adjusted, but you still need to be on them. <br /><br />However, you need to MEASURE YOUR ARM and compare it to the range on the cuff the docs are using to see if it's appropriate. If you truly need a thigh cuff, buy your own and bring it to appts. If they won't let you use it, find another practice because it is a BAD practice that won't respond to this concern if you can document that your arm size is not appropriate to their cuff.<br /><br />BP meds are very VERY important if you truly need them. If your wrist monitor (which is not all that accurate either) is showing a slightly elevated result, then chances are you do need some BP meds....they just may need adjustment for dose or type. <br /><br />But first things first...measure your arm in cm and compare that to the range that should be posted on the cuff they are using. Then adjust cuffs as needed and you'll get a more accurate reading, and then you can adjust meds as needed. <br /><br />Don't automatically reject the possibility of needing meds. Get the right data, and then you can adjust medications as needed.Well-Rounded Mamahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04129621631406155340noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4738062031052371885.post-32616038670685937732012-06-20T17:36:46.799-07:002012-06-20T17:36:46.799-07:00I wish someone would make all hospitals and doctor...I wish someone would make all hospitals and doctors offices have all size cuffs, and to educate nurses and doctors on this. It really is an important issue, and it is just unacceptable that they just don't know what they are doing.<br /><br />Today, I went to the doctor for an ear infection. They took my blood pressure with a "large" cuff. I have very large arms, I need a thigh cuff. The large one squeezes my arm terribly, until I am tensed up from the horrible pain. My reading was like 180/110. I have a wrist monitor at home, and it usually runs anywhere from 120/70, and never know more than 140/85 at the highest. <br />They asked me if I had taken my medication, I lied and said I had forgotten it in the last 2 days. The truth is, I didn't take it. Because they want me to take 25mg of Atenolol daily. I never took it twice, but even when I took it once a day, the bottom number was dropping to about 50. I felt weak and very strange. I think my bp was going way too low. <br />They think I have high blood pressure, I think I don't. I have been overweight all my life, and never had high bp until supposedly the last few years. <br />I tried to tell them about the inaccuracy of bp in people with very large arms due to cuffs that were too small. They all look at me like I'm stupid. The male nurse even told me today, he never heard of that. Then he goes out of the room, and tells the doctor that I am complaining about it. He comes in there and says cuff size has nothing to do with it. He said if anything, it was the shape of my arm. He takes my bp 3 times, with the same "large" cuff, each time putting me in agony. All high readings, so he says it is correct because he took it 3 times. So I get lectured for not taking my bp medication, and for not losing weight. <br />When I got home, I took my bo with my wrist monitor, it was 140/85. <br />I have no idea what to do about taking my medication, or what to tell these people. They think I'm crazy. I don't know if i should just take a half of a pill a day, or what. I asked them about bringing my own cuff, and I don't think they are going to allow it. <br />I'm very upset today, I don't know what to do. Next time, they will probably want to put me in the hospital for high bp.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4738062031052371885.post-48170614900765346672012-05-16T12:04:02.069-07:002012-05-16T12:04:02.069-07:00My last BP reading was really high--but the cuff w...My last BP reading was really high--but the cuff was extremely tight--and the blood was rushing to my hand making it turn red and puffy with blood. Yet the nurse didn't seem to think that was an issue! I am on BP medications & it was an extremely bad experience and stressful.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4738062031052371885.post-9566060335098505442011-12-21T14:01:44.834-08:002011-12-21T14:01:44.834-08:00Thankyou so much for this post! I am 24 weeks preg...Thankyou so much for this post! I am 24 weeks pregnant with my second child, and had preeclampsia with my first, so my bp is constantly being monitored this time around. The first few times, I could feel that the cuff was too small, and it hurt terribly to have my bp taken. The readings were always around 130/80 or 140/80. Well, this last appointment, the doctor used a slightly larger cuff that actually felt comfortable, and didnt hurt, and what do you know- my bp was 120/80 - much better! I will be insisting on the right size cuff from now on, and am off to do my measurements right now! Thanks again, this post, and the entire site are fantastically and sensitively presented.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4738062031052371885.post-80214483508908757022011-07-25T22:28:00.672-07:002011-07-25T22:28:00.672-07:00Anon said "I once had a woman take mine who d...Anon said "I once had a woman take mine who did pump it up too high (I was in literal agony!)...She also did it twice because she "couldn't hear it the first time." Afterwards, I had severe petichia and bruising all around my arm where the cuff was...But my pressure was much higher than normal when she took it and to me, it's no wonder. Pain and stress make one's B/P go up"<br />That basically describes every bp reading I've ever had done. Now I know it isn't my fault for being fat - I just measured my arm and it's 15" so they should have been using the large adult cuff and they used the regular - I didn't even know there WAS a bigger cuff. The nurses who took my bp should have known better. I'm going to ask for a bigger cuff from now on! I'm just so mad that I've suffered all this time and was always treated like it was my fault for being big, but they were the ones using the wrong equipment! :-(Paulinenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4738062031052371885.post-66768789132741279902010-08-25T10:01:39.394-07:002010-08-25T10:01:39.394-07:00Me and my friend were arguing about an issue simil...Me and my friend were arguing about an issue similar to this! Now I know that I was right. lol! Thanks for the information you post.Zydot ultra clean shampoohttp://zydotultracleanshampoo.info/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4738062031052371885.post-86840215845577313472010-07-19T14:18:22.614-07:002010-07-19T14:18:22.614-07:00Thank you for this. I have actually been bruised ...Thank you for this. I have actually been bruised by an incorrect cuffsize and appreciate the knowledge.Dawnhttp://metalsporks.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4738062031052371885.post-39234863591204614532009-05-24T09:23:30.574-07:002009-05-24T09:23:30.574-07:00Is there anything that can be done if having your ...Is there anything that can be done if having your blood pressure taken is very painful? I'm not sure that anyone is getting an accurate reading on me because I get so stressed when it hurts me so much. I'd appreciate any suggestions !Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4738062031052371885.post-89485912187734644932009-05-11T11:55:00.000-07:002009-05-11T11:55:00.000-07:00Great article.
A note to the woman who thought t...Great article. <br /><br />A note to the woman who thought they inflated her cuff too much -- is it possible that you have fibromyalgia? A study showed that a great majority of FMS sufferers experience severe pain when their blood pressure is taken, even when the correct cuff is used and inflated properly.<br /><br />Although there is also no doubt that overinflation does happen -- I once had a woman take mine who did pump it up too high (I was in literal agony!). She basically rolled her eyes and treated me like #%@%. She also did it twice because she "couldn't hear it the first time." Afterwards, I had severe petichia and bruising all around my arm where the cuff was. I went back and showed her, which she didn't appreciate. But my pressure was much higher than normal when she took it and to me, it's no wonder. Pain and stress make one's B/P go up.<br /><br />I also wonder this -- if it is so common for medical personel to use the wrong cuff -- what does that do to statistics on obesity/high blood pressure? I wonder how accurate THEY are. Presumedly, in tests they used proper equipment, but I suppose there is no guarantee that they did. I mean, it seems likely that obesity can cause hypertension, but it may not do so nearly as often as doctors think.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com