It certainly can be regarded as good news when you can avoid a trip to the doctor's office. However, I know two people in their 60s who have acute "white coat syndrome" in that their blood pressure is very high (around 200/125) when taken in a doctor's office but fairly normal at home using a high quality home device (around 125/80). My question is, if there are situations where someone's blood pressure can go so high for even a short time, isn't that also dangerous? If such intermittent high blood pressure is dangerous, then I question the validity of this article.

That is so true.. the "White coat effect" will get you every time. Going to the dr makes most people nervous esp if you're going to get test results, diagnosis etc. I usually check mine when I'm out running errands, a lot of Drug stores have those DIY machines. If you are going to buy a home monitor, I would do some research and get a good quality one. Another thing that will raise it, is Advil so don't pop any before your dr. appt. I really don't have a whole lot of faith in BP meds they give you . My mother was on them for years, at best it kept her BP from going really high but it was always to the high side, never low. A friend who went thru treatment for BC a couple of years ago, has had very high BP ever since she finsihed rads. Prior to diag. her BP was always low. They don't know why it's so high and they can't seem to get it to come down . they've tried multiple medications.

Omron's are fine, that is what our doctor recommended several years ago. A word of caution. If you experience a spike in BP, replace the battery with a fresh ones and try again. Also, Health Vault on MSN has a place where you can track daily monitoring of blood pressure and other vitals as well as a small journal. The My Health section has walking and exercise/task converter that translates into miles and a nutrition section as well. Kinda nifty. It helps keep focus on what takes care of you besides just bp monitioring-anthough certain cuffs like up to this.