Hi Miffy
I know the cuffs squeeze quite tight, but most machines are set up to go to the minimum pressure required to cut off the bloodflow. They will then take it up in small steps until the flow stops, and then complete the tests as quickly as possible. It can be painful with or without FMS, but it is temporary so if you can meditate yourself calm through this short procedure that may help.
You are right that the cuff could have made quite a difference - they are marked with sizing lines, so if you can see that it is out of range, speak up! They are unlikely to have the calf or thigh cuffs at a doctor's surgery, but if these take the heat off your arm, they might be a more acceptable alternative.
There is always this list of top tips from the Medicines and Healthcare Regulatory Agency, which may help toward understanding your situation. If you notice that the person taking your blood pressure is not following these guidelines, do not be afraid to show them the list and why you think it is not going well.
http://www.mhra.gov.uk/home/groups/dts- ... 024057.pdfPreviously, there was another set of tips which included the following:
The patient needs to be settled, so optimally will have been sitting calmly for at least 5 mins - better still 20 - before the test is performed.
The patient should not be engaged into conversation during the reading - it will go up with the activity. Remember that if you fidget your legs, or you are not seated comfortably (legs bent tightly under your knees/chair, back unsupported, etc) that too could affect the readings.
The first reading can be higher and drop significantly at the second and third attempt. So there used to be an instruction to take three readings, and keep as the result the average between the two readings that are closest to each other.
For example, I tend to have naturally low blood pressure. My initial reading might be 126/70, but the second will typically be 115/68, the third 113/68. I test the machines on myself as part of my job, so I can tell you that it will stay around the 114/68 mark for the fifth, sixth or seventh readings!
I can really recommend taking daily readings at home if you are on heart medication, because it gives a good doctor a much more sensible picture of your ongoing health than a frantic spot check in the surgery. My Dad does this because he was left on the meds too long and cannot come off them now, and his doctor really appreciates it.