BP cuff

[KathyM]

Do I need to get a bp and heart rate cuff? Does the doctor write a script for this?


Thanks again
Kathy

 

[Ross]

You don't have too and no, no prescription is needed. Just go to the drug store or walmart and see what they have that you might like and get one if you want too. It's really a good idea for anyone to have them.

I recommend Omron myself ($49.95), which is what I have. Here is their page of products:

http://www.omronhealthcare.com/product/default.asp?t=186

 

[Bina]

It is an absolute blessing to have one. No prescrip needed. Mine was $70.
It's nice to have the battery operated one with automatic cuff inflation.

 

[KathyM]

Thanks all. I thought I should have one. I noticed that you all talk about you heart rate and BP.


Thanks again
Kathy

 

[Ross]

The physically active folks like to know their numbers all the time, the rest of us, it's not such a big deal.

 

[Jkm7]

Because my BP was a little high after my first OHS, my surgeon suggested I get a cuff and check it at home for a while. I did for about a month and drove myself crazy doing so. I was seeing my cardio often enough for him to keep track of whether it was where he wanted it or not. I stopped using it and put it away.

I had my seconed OHS going on 6 weeks ago and I have not checked my BP myself once. I saw my cardio, they check it when I go for coumadin check and saw my primary care doctor and will see my surgeon next week. I don't want to do all those things that keep me feeling like I'm a patient. I leave those checks to my doctors but that is what works for me.

Last time I never checked my temperature once when I came home. This time I checked it once a day for a week and then stopped doing that as well.

Just the way I feel most comfortable getting myself through my recovery.

 

[jds]

I recommend a cuff and a scale

I recommend a cuff and a scale

Every day, I record BP, pulse, weight, whether I took AM and PM meds and what exercise I got.

BP, pulse and weight are good as an early indicator whether problems are coming. Exercise and meds are just good discipline. I just keep a little notebook in my bathroom with columns for:
date
AM meds?
PM meds?
Exercise
BP
Pulse
weight
Notes relevant to health

I take it along when I see my doctor and he likes to see the history - esp. of BP.

I use one of the self-inflating cuff ones with a battery. I take it to my doctor visits to make sure it reads about the same as what the nurse gets there.

 

[hensylee]

I have had one since I had a heart attack in 1999 and use it all the time, except when I've had a period of constant good bp. Am using at this time every day to keep up with things. My doctors also recomment it.

I got mine at grocery drug dept. It is also Omron with arm cuff and automatic everything. I keep track of the numbers by writing them down (made a chart on computer) every time with date/time/year and have lists going way back yonder. That list stays in the little leather zipper pack that came with the monitor.

Had to replace the cuff once and found the ph # on the actual monitor, called them, ordered it and they mailed it to me for about $20.