Fun with at-home devices

[Marthe48]

My new n.p. wanted me to monitor my b.p. at home and send her some readings next week. Yesterday, after looking all over for my b.p. cuff (like everything else, I knew it was around here somewhere, just not where I put it!), I put new batteries in and it wouldn't work. Obsolete? I guess. I looked online and saw that of all places, Harbor Freight had a wrist cuff for 10.97 +tax. This morning, I first went to Dollar General and got Energizer batteries to retest my old monitor. It still wouldn't work. I drove in to Harbor Freight and got a new monitor, batteries included. I imagine my b.p. raised a few points while I got the batteries in, and then tried to set the date and time. Maybe the monitors shouldn't have the battery port right under the power button? Put the cover and turn the damned thing off and on, totally miss the date and time settings. Several times. But I won!
The next thing I'll ponder is how many instructions can they print on the head of a pin? I need a magnifying glass to read the booklet. No worries, I have one handy

Happy Saturday!

[Turbineguy]

1. Sounds about right.

[Diamond_Dog]

2. I had to do the same thing recently, Marthe48.

At my last physical, my family doctor asked me to take a BP reading every day for a month and write it down and send him the numbers.

I have no idea how this happened but a few days later Medicare sent me a monitor in the mail for free! I didn’t have one before and thought I’d have to buy one.

I sure hear you about teeny tiny print instructions. 🙂

[Marthe48]

5. This is the first one I had to pay for

The one that is old is free. I think my ins. co. sent me one in a care package during Covid. I think I gave it away.

The county is sponsoring an electronic/appliance drop-off and the old monitor will go into the box of obsolete gear I'm getting rid of.

Hope you get good readings!

[Srkdqltr]

3. Medicare is sending me a bp thingie. But i had one several years ago and by the time i got it set up to use my bp was

So high I quit using it. Doc never asked for readings when I went next time and my BP in the office was ok. 😁😁😁😁 and never discussed again.

[kozar]

9. Read my reply,

At home BP, is very different than office BP.

Koz

[AllaN01Bear]

4. this may help

https://www.myprivia.com/sites/default/files/2024-12/ofp_Daily-Blood-Pressure-Log.pdf

[Marthe48]

6. Thanks

I got it figured out before I posted.

[kozar]

8. Now Maryhe needs to write?

The BP machines , have memory

[kozar]

7. Every BP monitor, ive been sent home with,

Had an AC adapter. Marthe48 , you sit in a docs office, you wait, they are late, you sit in " that chair' and your BP is high, so you get a BP machine.taking BP at home, is quite different, there are a few rules, you'll need to follow, to get, a correct reading.
1 don't sit in your normal seat move to a kitchen chair,
2 your back should be straight while you sit
3 this is the big one with at home BP,
Uncross your legs or feet, feet flat on the floor and hit the button. We as humans, tend to cross our feet, at least, I know I do.
When I check my BP at home, , kitchen chair, feet flat on the floor. Accurate reading.

Stop buying batteries, buy a AC adapter for 10 bucks

Never run away from your health, even at home, there are rules, you need to follow0

[Marthe48]

10. Hi Kozar

I've had high b.p. since the mid-eighties, on meds for it since then. I'm not sure how long I had the old monitor, but have used the at-home wrist cuff style monitor for many years. I pay attention to keeping salt and caffeine low, but I get lazy about checking my numbers. I have a new dr. and a new n.p. and I think they are not only interested in getting some readings, but checking to see how well I follow directions. ha.

I refreshed my memory on proper usage. I learned a couple things I didn't know: make sure your fingers are uncurled while you're getting your reading. Don't rest your arm and wait an hour after a meal. I knew I should wait 5 or 10 minutes after I sit down before I take a reading.

I noticed my old monitor drained batteries quick, so I'd take the batteries out. It didn't wipe out the memory, but I had to reset it. I'm still getting used to the new one, but after reading your post, I looked and it doesn't have a place for an adapter. Wish it did.

Thanks for taking the time to comment. Hope all is well.