MEASURING BLOOD PRESSURE

Firstly, I'm not a doctor or a nurse but this is how I understand it. Blood pressure (BP) varies depending on the time of day. It's normally lower first thing in the morning and higher in the evening. Before you take your BP sit and rest for 3 to 5 minutes. Take it 3 times and note the lowest. Rest for 3 minutes in between each test to allow your veins/arteries to resume their natural position. Don't talk or move your arm during the tests. Keep it simple.

Providing you follow the guidelines you will get a more accurate BP record than what you would get from your Doc or Nurse if you take control at home with BP measurements. First off, that individual BP readings may fluctuate in the same day and across days so don't panic. Yes, take 3 readings and average the second two.

With the right Monitor (as you say correctly calibrated) prepare yourself as follows:

Patients should empty bladder.

Patients should rest quietly in a seated position for at least 5 minutes.

Patients should not talk or text.

Seated with back supported.

Both feet flat on the floor; legs uncrossed.

Measurement arm should be bare.

Cuff should be placed directly above the antecubital fossa.

The centre of the bladder of the cuff (commonly marked on the cuff) should be placed over the artery of the upper arm.

The cuffed arm should be supported on a flat surface such as a table.

Ideally take your Monitor and readings to your GP. Some monitors allow you to stream readings via Bluetooth to Smartphone.

Here are the new 2017 guidelines. For those with resistant hypertension elevated stage would be acceptable (if not good).

I've been taking mine at home for over ten years now. I've never seen the need to take it more than once at a sitting, but if the reading seems odd, I might take another an hour or two later as a double-check.

I usually take mine at least once a day, typically right before I take my daily meds, when otherwise I'd expect the effects to be at their lowest.

When the BP runs especially high (or low), I will take it several times a day, looking for any kind of pattern - and to see if the meds are having any effect.

Of course learn how to take it correctly, make sure you are rested and quiet when you take it, sit down, keep your arm relaxed and still.

My point is that I am trying to get to a result at which my doctor will say that's OK just carry on as you are? But as you know if you go to a surgery to have it checked they do it just the once and base a decision on that one reading. I was trying to reach a situation where I was able to produce evidence of a series of readings in order to produce an average overall figure but it seems nobody is able to provide/commit to a satisfactory statistical way of producing such a figure. I have therefore reached a situation whereby I say "what's the point"

You'd be surprised at the number of variances even from medical professionals as to how to average out the bp readings.

A kidney specialist once told me to take 3 readings...throw the 1st reading aside, then average the next two. Another healthcare professional said to take a single reading...toss it out because it's very likely to be inaccurate, then take 3 consecutive readings each 1 1/2 min. to 2 min. apart, then average those 3.

If you have a cuff with a bulb...which my doctor has., you can bet it's accurate. Doctors keep close tabs on their bp cuffs.

This aligns with my experiences i.e. no two people will tell you what is the right way. Perhaps there isn't one !!

Openspaces - you seem to be well organised so I'm surprised your Doctor doesn't take note of your efforts - mine does and has adjusted my medication based on my figures. There is normally information in the book you get with your BP monitor that tells you what pressures you should be aiming for.