BP Reading too low? Am I doing it wrong?

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Hi Everyone. I am a new nursing student, just finished my first 2 years of prerequisites and will be beginning at Hopkins in 6 days (WOO HOO!) to do the last 2 yrs of my BSN. I had a question for someone/anyone who knows anything about getting good BP readings. I was practicing on myself today; taking my own BP and I am consistently getting a reading of 95/55. This seems low? I am 23 years old, 113lbs, and have no symptoms of what one would experience with low BP and I also consume a good amount of sodium in my diet. Is it possible that this is a normal range, or am I reading it wrong? I used the adult bell on my convertible cardiology stethoscope, put it to my artery, pumped up to over 120, and slowly released the pressure. I began to hear the beating at 95-100 and stopped hearing it around 55-60.:redbeathe:heartbeat:redpinkhe

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Hi! I will be starting my second semester at Hopkins in Sept, so I'll prob see you around the school! I'm not sure what you BP should be to say if you are reading it correctly, but I do know this: don't stress over it! You will get PLENTY of practice in school and clinicals!

:up:

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Maybe I will see you there :) It sounds like you are an accelerated student? How do you like the program so far? Should I be scared and nervous or is it easier than you set yourself up for? I'm FREAKING out!!! In a good and worried way.

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Yep, I'm ABSN. And, I think it is easier than I set myself up for..really! It is not as hard and crazy as it sounds! There were a few times when I had tons to do and wanted to pull out my hair, but it was ok! The other students and the profs are so great, too. The profs are quick to lend a hand or answer a question and make you feel much calmer. The students are great...I am so impressed by the diversity of interests and the ability of everyone to make friends so quickly - mostly because we have to! Feel free to ask me any questions! I will help as much as I can!

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Are you using the right size of cuff? Also, if you're athletic, your bp will run lower than what is considered standard. I read somewhere that Michael Phelp's bp runs 80/50 and his pulse at rest is in the 40's.

This could be your normal range. A way to find out is to ask your dr what your last bp was and use that as a guideline.

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Specializes in Critical Care, Orthopedics, Hospitalists.

it is probably your normal range. my bp usually runs 90 - 100's / 60s - 70s, hr - 80 - 90s. It'll go up eventually ;)

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yikes! twenty_ten! I have no idea how to PM you back!! I'm an idiot! (If I can get through the first semester, anybody can - haha!)

sorry!:confused:

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Gluck with the program at Hopkins. I'm finishing up my pre-reqs this year. I'll prob apply next fall...but prob wont attend depending on how expensive it is.

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It is really expensive, but they really help you a lot with grants, it is easy to get scholarships from some places, and the feds also help when you fill out a FAFSA; once all is said and done, it isn't so bad. Definitely still more expensive than most though.

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Specializes in Education, FP, LNC, Forensics, ED, OB.
yikes! twenty_ten! I have no idea how to PM you back!! I'm an idiot! (If I can get through the first semester, anybody can - haha!)

sorry!:confused:

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It is really expensive, but they really help you a lot with grants, it is easy to get scholarships from some places, and the feds also help when you fill out a FAFSA; once all is said and done, it isn't so bad. Definitely still more expensive than most though.

Yea, I will definitely apply to see what I can get. I don't know how much more I can borrow due to my previous loans from my first degree. Good luck to you though.

Are you gonna be living close to campus?

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No, actually, I plan on remaining here in DC and commuting to Baltimore via the MARC train. I live off of the red line which goes straight to Union Station.

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