Blood Pressure Concern

[sixtyplus]

There is about a 30 point difference in the blood pressure on my left arm and right arm. No one seems concerned but I am. Should I be?

 

[fureverywhere]

I don't rightfully know but I would definitely point it out to doctors on every visit. My primary doc is always fussing over my left arm reading. I'm right-handed and they never even checked that side.
http://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/...-linked-higher-heart-attack-risk-201403057064

 

[Victor Meldrew]

One thing I've both heard about as well as witnessed myself, is how when drs' office employees take your blood pressure, they often times pay no attention whatsoever to the patient's sitting position. From what I understand, according to AMA standards etc, in order to get an accurate reading, the patient must be sitting comfortably in a chair with back supported, feet flat on the floor and arm raised to the same height as the heart and supported on some type of surface.

And then there's also the fact that on top of all that, you should always take three readings a minute or two apart and average the results.

The last time I was in a dr's office, they took my BP from my right arm while i was sitting in the edge of the exam table, hunched over, legs dangling and my arm hanging at my side.

 

[Gemma]

There is about a 30 point difference in the blood pressure on my left arm and right arm. No one seems concerned but I am. Should I be?

Generally, a small difference in blood pressure readings between arms isn't a health concern. However, a difference of more than 10 millimeters of mercury (mm Hg) for either your systolic pressure (top number) or diastolic pressure (bottom number) may be a sign of an underlying problem — such as narrowing of the main arteries to that arm. If you have a significant difference in blood pressure readings between arms, talk to your doctor.

http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-...re/expert-answers/blood-pressure/faq-20058230

 

[sixtyplus]

I had labs just last week in my yearly wellness check. Everything was in normal limits. I would like to hear comments from others that may have this experience.

 

[Butterfly]

My docs just take blood pressure in one arm, almost always the left.

 

[sixtyplus]

My situation will sound complicated to some. I am American Indian and receive my health care at a Tribal clinic. I have no health problems except aging and do not have a regular doctor; I see a PA as needed about 4 times a year

My BP had always been around 100/60 until March of this year when my daughter became suddenly ill and died. I requested medication to help me cope and was given Prozac. My BP shot up to 165/89. I expressed concern that the Prozac was causing that but the PA disagreed and advised against stopping the Prozac. I did it anyway and monitored my BP at uthe supermarket machine. It slowly came down to around 140-145/80-85 The machine tests the left arm.
I bought a wrist monitor to test myself at home and there is where I discovered the 30 point difference in my left side and right side readings. I brought this to the attention of my PA and she said wrist monitors are not as reliable as a cuff monitor.

That day with the cuff my left side reading was 160/82 and the right side was 110/76

[FONT=&quot] She only shrugged, raised her eyebrows and said “I don’t know what to tell you”[/FONT]

 

[Buckeye]

Sixtyplus - Aloha. I don't know what options you may have for getting in front of a doctor instead of a PA, but please do whatever you can to make it happen. You are correct that elevated blood pressure is a common side effect of Prozac. And the huge differential between the left and right arm is alarming. I wish I could help but I'm in Hawaii. You are not receiving the care you deserve.

 

[sixtyplus]

Mahalo, Hoot N Annie.

Next Week I have an appointment with a specialist for macular degeneration at the main complex 50 miles away and hope to go through the walk in clinic and see a real doctor about this.