Friday Night Rewind It doesn't matter which team you cheer for. We've got video previews of every high school football program in Hillsborough, Pinellas, Pasco and Hernando County.
Some blood pressure monitors are more reliable than others
Q: What's the accuracy rating for the automatic, digital blood pressure monitors?
One of my doctors doesn't trust their measurements, yet the manufacturers infer reliability.
Edith Stewart
A: The National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute classifies 140/90 or higher as high blood pressure. It can cause strokes, heart attacks and other serious problems, usually with no symptoms.
Prehypertension is when the systolic blood pressure, the top number of the reading, is between 120 and 139 or diastolic blood pressure, the bottom number, is between 80 and 89.
If your blood pressure falls within any of those ranges, home monitoring is encouraged by the American Heart Association, American Society of Hypertension and the Preventive Cardiovascular Nurses' Association, according to a statement in the May edition of the journal Hypertension.
There are three basic types of machines to use at home: automatic arm monitors, where the cuff inflates for you; manual arm monitors, where you pump a bulb to inflate the cuff; and wrist monitors, where the cuff wraps around the wrist like a watch and inflates automatically.
Automated arm cuffs are recommended by the American Medical Association. Make sure the cuff fits well. While the typical monitor's cuff will fit most people, those with a large arm circumference should order a large cuff.
Wrist monitors are not considered reliable.
Shortly after you get your monitor, take it with you to your next doctor's visit so you can have it calibrated against his or her professional device.
At home, take two or three readings, about a minute apart, while sitting with your arm supported. Take readings at the same time each day.
Use your readings as motivation to stick to hypertension-friendly diets and make sure any medication prescribed for the condition is working for you.
Persistence pays off when promised hotel coupon arrives
Q: I purchased a Philips Norelco razor that contained an offer for a free "Night at an Inn." You had to visit the Web site and download a coupon.
I tried many times but was never successful. I even tried from a friend's computer, but had no better luck. I could access everything else from the Web site, just not the coupon.
In desperation, I phoned the company and was promised by the representative that she would "make corporate aware of the download problem," and get back to me. She was to send me a coupon in the mail.
The offer expired March 31, so when I hadn't received anything, I phoned again. I eventually got transferred to a young man who promised to e-mail me a coupon, but it has never arrived.
Cynthia Ballin
A: Philips Consumer Lifestyle claim administrator Laurie Aquilino copied me on an e-mail she sent to you June 4.
She apologized for the length of time it took to resolve your problem downloading the coupon, but didn't know if you'd received it yet or not. The promotion has been extended until December.
You phoned to say the coupon had finally arrived. Enjoy your night at the inn!
[Last modified: Jul 08, 2008 01:00 PM]
Subscribe to the Times
Click here for daily delivery
of the St. Petersburg Times.
News
