To think we shouldn’t have to buy our own blood pressure machines

[TangoTarantella]

Had a text from the GP surgery this morning to say that to re-authorise my HRT prescription I need to provide daily blood pressure readings at 9am and 6pm for 4 consecutive days. I rang the surgery and asked how I was supposed to do this and they said I had to buy a blood pressure machine (as if it was the most normal thing in the world). I was gobsmacked. Am I unreasonable to think I shouldn’t have to pay for medical equipment that I don’t want? Has anyone else had this?

Why bloody Tories? why such a trivial thing should be funded by taxpayers? it's £20 top Amazon/Argos/everywhere

Also, if you have hypertension, don't you want to check blood pressure regularly without GP reminders?

I measure my blood pressure at home because it's convenient (I'm near housebound) but more importantly I get consistently lower readings in the relaxed environment of my home than being hassled about in a busy surgery where they don't have time to let me fully relax before they measure my blood pressure.

Yep mine is aways so much lower at home too. It bothers me when the hcp carries on chatting to you when taking a reading. You're meant to be sat down/quiet!

It's called White Coat syndrome , well known . It's nerves that set it off , many people have it in the surgery .

Yes, I had to buy one for home.

I can’t remember how much it was. There’s a big range on Amazon.

it felt weird at first but after my TIA I am much more interested in things like blood pressure

If every household had a BP machine, thermometer and a set of weighing scales it would definitely help the NHS. As a HCP knowing these measurements for a lot of my patients helps me assess some basic conditions fairly accurately over the phone and I can triage the patients who need a face to face appointment

Many people won't take responsibility for their own health. I understand if it's something they can't afford, but many people happy to buy coffee and Netflix and whinge about buying cheap equipment to monitor health.

As you get older, you need to invest more in your health, both in time and money. Equipping yourself with basic kit is part of taking responsibility for that.

We bought one 20 odd years ago and still use it regularly to keep track. Put the readings in our phones and we get a guide as to whether BP is rising or falling. White coat syndrome can lead to higher readings taken by docs so it is useful to DIY. A £20 machine may not be as accurate as a docs, but used regularly will give an indication. The NHS has made us think that none of us should spend money on our health, yet we would think nothing on spending £20 on a fat laden delivery of takeaway food. That £20 could result in you getting an early indication of serious health issues, so go and buy one, and use it regularly.

it is better to do your blood pressure in your own home
i was lent one initially but advised to buy my own,
i have never used it, although i should test myself once a month

You might not want it, but you need it. Just buy it, fgs.

Surely the price of a BP machine is worth it to continue on HRT?? Something that might come in useful in future.

Buy one. I have two, one wrist and one arm. It is not a big expense.