Taking blood pressure manually

[mdwilson2011]

Something I’ve been doing recently, and we should ALL be doing this, is keeping a blood pressure log. I’ll typically take 3 readings in the morning before lifting, and in the evening when I’ve been relaxing for a while. I use the manual method since bp machines can be very inaccurate due to a number of variables.

Systolic pressure is easy to hear the onset, but I can sometimes have trouble figuring out what my real diastolic number is. At 100, pulse is thumping nice and healthy. At 90, the noise starts to fade, at 80 it’s audible but very quiet. There are times when I can listen very hard and still hear well below 70. So what’s the real diastolic number? A healthy thump around 80-85, or the faintest beat around 70?

 

[FixerUpper]

When you first hear the thump, that’s your systolic pressure. When the thumps stop, that’s your diastolic pressure.

 

[Rippleridgestna]

Above is correct. The last number you hear (faint) is your bottom number or “diastolic pressure”. From the sounds of what you describe you seem to be in a pretty healthy range.

 

[mdwilson2011]

FixerUpper" pid='64227' dateline='1565273992:

When you first hear the thump, that’s your systolic pressure. When the thumps stop, that’s your diastolic pressure.

I’m aware of this. Read the last part of the post.

A machine will tell me my diastolic is 85, but I can hear very faint thumps at 70 or lower.

 

[FixerUpper]

mdwilson2011" pid='64246' dateline='1565280019:

FixerUpper" pid='64227' dateline='1565273992:

When you first hear the thump, that’s your systolic pressure. When the thumps stop, that’s your diastolic pressure.

I’m aware of this. Read the last part of the post.

A machine will tell me my diastolic is 85, but I can hear very faint thumps at 70 or lower.

I read yours, now re read mine.

When the thumps stop, that’s your diastolic pressure. If you’re still hearing thumps, that’s not when you should be locking in on a number.

 

[Dexter]

mdwilson2011" pid='64246' dateline='1565280019:

FixerUpper" pid='64227' dateline='1565273992:

When you first hear the thump, that’s your systolic pressure. When the thumps stop, that’s your diastolic pressure.

I’m aware of this. Read the last part of the post.

A machine will tell me my diastolic is 85, but I can hear very faint thumps at 70 or lower.

I’ve never found an at home machine that takes an accurate pressure or even pulse. I have several, a couple that were over $100 and they’re all crap.

Don’t use cuffs with built in stethoscope. The cuff and stethoscope should be two separate tools. I have a MDF two hose rappaport stethoscope that is very good at picking up the faintest pulse. The key is to simply let the diaphragm rest over your brachial artery without applying any downward pressure, if you do your readings will be off.

Also make sure your cuff is large enough. A small cuff on a big arm isn’t going to be accurate either. Better to go slight larger then you need, if you can find them.

And I agree I take my pressure and pulse manually everyday when I wake up. My pressure isn’t so great, but I do an hour of cardio every day and lift 4 days a week and eat really healthy. I’m usually around 130-128/90-85 even on a lower salt diet.

 

[mdwilson2011]

@“Dexter” Thanks for providing some insight here. I have a cuff with built in stethoscope, so I’ll be buying what you recommended and see how that does or does not affect bp readings.