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Texas1 · Dec 8, 2013, 08:41 PM

My grandma's blood pressure cuff has been displaying a blinking icon indicating an irregular heart rhythm several times over the past day and a half. Could this be an emergency?

Wondergirl · Dec 8, 2013, 08:44 PM

Have you tried a different cuff? What are her bp and pulse rate?

Texas1 · Dec 8, 2013, 08:56 PM

Thanks for the quick reply. No I haven't tried a different cuff (we don't have another) and I tried changing the batteries. Then I took my own BP on the same cuff and my boyfriend's as well, and the heart icon does not blink for either of us, just for her. She is 85 and has congestive heat failure, but does not feel anything strange or have any other symptoms. Her BP and pulse rate vary each time we take it but have been in normal range for her. The only weird thing is the irregular heartbeat indicator flashing. We take her BP twice a day and that does not normally happen. The roads here are iced over and impassible right now so I'm hoping it's not an emergency, but have no idea..

Wondergirl · Dec 8, 2013, 09:16 PM

Originally Posted by Texas1

The roads here are iced over and impassible right now so I'm hoping it's not an emergency, but have no idea..

We don't know either, unfortunately. I wonder if you can call the ER and run this past a doctor, but the ER may be swamped right now because of accidents and bender benders.

We have several excellent medical professionals here, so hopefully one or more will see this thread this evening and weigh in with a professional opinion.

J_9 · Dec 8, 2013, 09:44 PM

Please don't call the ER as you will waste valuable resources. You will only be told that there is nothing they can do over the phone and that she will need to be evaluated in person.

Since she has CHF, it is important to get her evaluated.

Texas1 · Dec 8, 2013, 10:04 PM

Originally Posted by J_9

Please don't call the ER as you will waste valuable resources. You will only be told that there is nothing they can do over the phone and that she will need to be evaluated in person.

Since she has CHF, it is important to get her evaluated.

That's pretty much what I would expect the ER to say. I plan to call her doctor tomorrow for advice. Hopefully she will be OK tonight.

J_9 · Dec 8, 2013, 10:08 PM

I work in the ER, yup, that's what we would say.

I can't tell you if she will be okay tonight or not. It would depend on what arrhythmia she is experiencing. Some are benign yet some are life threatening, even without other symptoms.