The usual blood pressure monitor used by many GPs, nurses, and hospitals are machine-operated and a cuff is placed around the upper arm, and one button is pressed, and then the result is given, but are these blood pressure monitors accurate, or should you request that your healthcare practitioner use the traditional aneroid sphygmomanometer? You really should, from the recent experience I had on 27 December 2024.
I first noticed the very high readings from the machine blood pressure monitors used in my second pregnancy, when I was 41. At one point I thought I was experiencing preeclampsia, but I began taking 100mg of thiamine in my second trimester and the blood pressure results remained normal throughout the entire pregnancy. You can read my post, Are you Looking for Treatment of Preeclampsia for under £10.
I’m now in my third pregnancy, and currently 10+4, and the midwife at the screening appointment pulled out a machine blood pressure monitor. I was not stressed that morning, not rushing, and relaxed. The cuff went extremely tight, the number rose to 180 down to 90 and then over 200 before giving a final reading of 149/84. I warned her that these machines provide inaccurate readings, and asked her if she would use the aneroid sphygmomanometer to take another reading. This was an extremely worrying reading, especially in my first trimester and first booking appointment. She took the reading ten minutes later with her aneroid sphygmomanometer. The reading was 129/80. She was pleased and recorded this on BadgerNotes.
So if you are reading this post and are wondering what is the most accurate heart rate monitor, it’s the traditional aneroid sphygmomanometer, which is available to buy through Amazon for under £20. Even before my first screening appointment, I was testing my own blood pressure and getting readings of 125/75. They are very easy to use. Put on the cuff, place the stethoscope just under the cuff and insert the ear pieces. Inflate between 160 to 180 and then gently release air and note the pressure when you first hear your heartbeat. This is the upper, or systolic, pressure number. Note the pressure when the sound stops. This is the lower, or diastolic, pressure number.
So it makes me wonder how many false blood pressure readings are being given by GPs, nurses, and hospitals within the NHS, when these machine blood pressure monitors greatly inflate the systolic pressure numbers. It’s quite criminal really. My husband thought it was disgusting and wonders how many false readings have been given to people by the NHS relying on these inaccurate machine blood pressure monitors.
Insist on the health professional using their sphygmomanometer instead, or alternatively buy your own and learn how to use it for accurate heart rate readings. And if you are pregnant and regularly attending your midwife appointments, they will take your blood pressure every time. I would advise that you DO NOT let them use their machine heart rate monitors at all. If you see them getting their machine out (the lazy gits), request that they use their aneroid sphygmomanometer instead. It’s your right, and as I have shown you in this brief blog post, the difference in systolic readings can be quite significant.
So all of these blood pressure monitors sold in pharmacies like Boots, and Lloyds Pharmacy may say they are accurate, but they will fill you will unnecessary fear because they are going to provide you with inaccurate readings compared to the traditional aneroid sphygmomanometer.