Tip # 725 - WHO'S THE OSCAR LEVANT; ME OR MY DOC?

Sunday, August 9, 2026

At a recent exam, my blood pressure (systolic) was a little high. Doc asked if I monitored my BP at home.

“Well, thanks to you, I already have a fingertip pulse oximeter in my bedtable drawer and wear an Oura ring, but no BP monitor.”

Even though a second reading during the exam was much better, the next day I picked up “an automatic, cuff-style, upper arm monitor (as recommended by the American Heart Association).” 

Then followed a couple of days obsessing over my blood pressure. Cut back on salt and alcohol. Get more exercise. Drink pomegranate. (Yuk!)

Concluding nothing lowers my BP as well as just having my pup napping nearby, I opened up a bathroom drawer to put the darn thing out of sight. (The monitor, not Lucky!)

And much to my surprise, there was the exact same model, purchased three years ago, only to have met the same fate.

Cripes.

Now I’m gonna start worrying about Alzheimer’s!

G-r-r-r-r, woof! (Which means, where’s the Tito’s in Lucky-speak.)

P.S. Did you see this headline the other day: “Three Milwaukee-area hospitals earn spots on U.S. News & World Report’s Best Hospitals list.” Worth the short read.