Bobby asked:
The blood pressure in my arms is normal, 115/70 is average when I’m relaxed. But I’ve had some minor swelling in my ankles the doctor ruled out all serious causes and said if I lose 50 lbs it will go away. Fair enough. So I got a new blood pressure monitor and start tinkering with it and notice that when standing the BP in my ankle was an astonishing 219/166. I know that if the extremity is below the heart it will be falsely high, but damn…THAT high?
The blood pressure in my arms is normal, 115/70 is average when I’m relaxed. But I’ve had some minor swelling in my ankles the doctor ruled out all serious causes and said if I lose 50 lbs it will go away. Fair enough. So I got a new blood pressure monitor and start tinkering with it and notice that when standing the BP in my ankle was an astonishing 219/166. I know that if the extremity is below the heart it will be falsely high, but damn…THAT high?
cut down on salt and raise your feet to improve the flow
The further away you take your b/p the more likely it is to be false. Also if you take it on your ankle you need to be sitting with your feet up. The most accurate b/p is taken on your left upper arm. I wouldn’t rely on the ankle reading and try to just take it on your arm, you will feel better if you do, cuz you wont stress that it might be that high. And that can make it go up. You are doing a good thing by watching your b/p and staying in tune with your body! Just try to take it in the same spot at the same time every day.