Does anyone have experience with a wrist cuff BP device?

[PJmomrunner]

A cardiologist recommended that I get a wrist cuff to monitor my blood pressure while riding my bike. The idea is really to see what raising my heartrate does to my blood pressure. The theory is that if my resting systolic is between 105 and 110 then it should be below 135 while exercising moderately. If I can discover at what heartrate my BP goes over 135, then I can exercise (read: run) as long as I don't go over that heartrate.

The problem is I can't decide if the wrist cuff is accurate. It is always lower than my regular automatic cuff, but usually with 5 or 10 on the BP and within 5 on the heartrate. And my regular cuff agrees with the cuff at the local pharmacy and has generally been the same as the one at the doctor's (although I have never taken simultaneous measurements or anything). Does anyone have any experience with a wrist cuff?

 

[azpam]

costco has one that is pretty good. the brand name is omron. stay away from store brands IMHO (walgreens,etc)

 

[Abbanabba]

I've got a "Tatung" cuff.... which I have been meaning to take to the doctor with me to see if the readings are the same. I've got a friend with the same device and our readings are the same on both our cuffs, so I guess that indicates some level of consistency, if nothing else.

I guess even if you get a wrist cuff which reads slightly lower, so long as it's CONSISTENT and you know how much it is "out" by, then that should be fine. It seems like you're looking for a TREND with your BP/HR and the wrist cuff should be able to determine that for you.

Cheers
Anna : )

 

[msiwik]

A cardiologist recommended that I get a wrist cuff to monitor my blood pressure while riding my bike. The idea is really to see what raising my heartrate does to my blood pressure. The theory is that if my resting systolic is between 105 and 110 then it should be below 135 while exercising moderately. If I can discover at what heartrate my BP goes over 135, then I can exercise (read: run) as long as I don't go over that heartrate.

The problem is I can't decide if the wrist cuff is accurate. It is always lower than my regular automatic cuff, but usually with 5 or 10 on the BP and within 5 on the heartrate. And my regular cuff agrees with the cuff at the local pharmacy and has generally been the same as the one at the doctor's (although I have never taken simultaneous measurements or anything). Does anyone have any experience with a wrist cuff?

No experience but I admire your determination to keep active (including running if you can). Good luck with this.

 

[MitralMan]

I have an Omron, too. Consistent. BUT:

I have an Omron, too. Consistent. BUT:

You have to be still when using it!!

costco has one that is pretty good. the brand name is omron. stay away from store brands IMHO (walgreens,etc)

 

[RunMartin]

I bought a wrist cuff blood pressure monitor a few months ago (from ebay). It is accurate to +/- 10% according to information that came with it. My cardiologist go me to have a 24 hour blood pressure monitor. This monitor wraps around the top of the arm and it took my blood pressure every 30 minutes. When a measurement was taken I checked it with my wrist cuff monitor. It was fairly accurate (+/- 5 %) as long as I had the wrist cuff at the same height as my heart.

I now use the wrist cuff monitor every few days and I have found that I get the odd rogue reading when the cuff is not fitted properly. I usually take two readings, removing he cuff between readings. I still do a lot of running (the cardiologist said to keep up the exercise) but I have only measured it once whilst running which was with the 24 hour monitor. The reading then was 138/70.

Martin

 

[ClickerTicker]

I've had one of the small Omron HEM-630 wrist monitors for a year or two now. Comes with a robust case 2.5 x 3.8 x 2.5 inches - easy to travel with. Have found it just as accurate with our older arm-cuff device. Also seems close to reading taken by my doctor. Good battery life - several months on a couple of AAA batteries, used once daily. Not the cheapest, but I've been very pleased with it.

http://www.omronhealthcare.com/enTouchCMS/app/viewDocument?docID=28&parntCatgId=25

 

[mntbiker]

Updates??? We anxiously seek further updates. Can you start running again?

 

[PJmomrunner]

No. I haven't yet reached the target BP and have no faith that my local cardiologist would prescribe anything to aid in that. Plus, I'm sometimes so tired at my current BP/heartrate I'm not sure I can go lower.... My current plan is to wait until my appt. with the surgeon in November and talk to him about additional meds to lower BP and possible resumption of running. In a way, I hope my aneurysm has grown so I can get it over with and get on with my life. A bit sick, huh?

 

[mntbiker]

In a way, I hope my aneurysm has grown so I can get it over with and get on with my life. A bit sick, huh?

Not sick at all. I know exactly how you feel. The same thought goes through my head. I am probably just behind you since my aneurysm is at 4.4cm. Make sure you update us after the next appointment.