pacemarker

False readings, No. Elevated BP, yes.

by crustyg - 2021-12-03 18:09:36

I can't see any reason why a sphygmomanometer reading would be increased just because you're paced.  Humans, and the electronic versions, listen for the sounds of turbulent blood as it begins to flow under the cuff, and being paced should make these sounds regular, within limits.

Being paced can certainly increase the BP if the paced rates are too high, and especially if you've recently recovered from AFib or AFlut (these interfere with cardiac ANP production which is a key part of lowering BP for people with salt/water overload).

But there are lots of ways for BP readings to give inaccurate results.

Why do you ask?  In other words, what makes you think that you're getting false BP readings?

Up and down

by Gotrhythm - 2021-12-04 13:10:06

Not sure what you mean by "false." The blood pressure thingie reads whatever it reads.

Whether the machine is accurate (or the person taking the reading knows what they are doing) is another question. There are lots of ways to get a false or inaccurate reading. But a pacemaker will not cause the bp reading to be inaccurate.

Just so you know, it's not that unusual for one's blood pressure to change after getting a pacemaker. Some people report a slightly higher bp, some people find their bp is now slightly lower.

Those with more medical knowledge than me could probably explain it better, but I think bp sometimes changes because the whole body is different once the heart beat is more regular and as fast as it needs to be. Why wouldn't there sometimes be a change in bp too?

Blood Presser Readings

by Stache - 2021-12-04 19:41:42

I have had my dual-chamber pacemaker for 10-months now and take my BP  two to three times a day.  I take my BP first thing in the morning every day and track it on a spreadsheet.  Morning pressures are always at the same time and in the normal level.  After my 1-hour walk, BP always comes down even more.  After meals, BP always goes up.  I should mention I am 100% paced at 60 bpm.  I check my oxygen level and it is 98% to 100% all the time.  I am on a low salt and sugar diet and no junk food.  If I eat outside of the house my BP always goes up due to the salt in everything.