Blood Pressure Readings

Me too, I go into a flat spin and physically tremble, if you find an answer please let me know!

Me too Aveline I wish we'd never bought that pesky BP machine.

I'm so glad it not just me that feels this way. I worry so much about it that even looking at the machine stresses me out. I try to do everything I can to keep it down (excercise, low salt, healthy diet etc) and just hope for the best.

Just had a random call from the Drs ‘inviting’ me for a BP check. It was totally out of the blue and all I can think is that it’s at least 3 years since it was last done and I’m now in my early 60’s so have appeared on the surgery’s ‘hit list’. I’ve booked the appt, but I too have ‘white coat syndrome’ so can now almost feel my BP rising from the anxiety before I even get there!

That's it exactly BlueSky.

I have to do mine at home on a regular basis and it is always constant, rarely changes. Unfortunately it has been too high for years and doesn't respond well to BP medication and I've been on a variety.
My cardiologist changed my meds yet again last week, to see if it would come down a bit.

My GP told me to stop talking, when he was checking it, it always causes it to rise.

I also wear a smart watch, which shows my BP. It means I don't need to think about it. I'm not sure how accurate they are, so I check now and again, using BP monitor, which has been calibrated at my GP surgery .

Last year i was hospitalised for fractured ankle and they found my BP was too low so could be the reason for my frequent falls.
So they stopped my medication, which I'd been on for years (various ones.)
Since then main improvement was no more constipation. still falling. Now my BP is creeping back up so back on meds and back to constipation. last time at GP she gave me that machine to try and I couldn't cope with it so took it back. BP going up and down like a yoyo - but I hate constipation.

Kate I had an episode similar to yours and my GP sent me to hospital so that I would be seen by a consultant quickly. I stayed overnight and by the morning my BP had dropped to 150/90. I then had all different heart tests done as an outpatient and the consultant prescribed three different BP tablets which I still take today 4 years later. My BP is never that low but they are satisfied to keep it in the 150/90 -
140/80 range. Like you the problem is I’m often too scared to check it in case I get those numbers again!

I can feel mine going up just reading this thread. I think it has become a phobia now. 2 years ago when I had it checked at GP's as I was in a terrible state with anxiety. It went up to 210/101. She knew it was because I was in a state of panic. She sent me home and told me to forget about it. That's what I'm trying to do.

User7777

I am hypertensive. So BP is 48 over 30 quite a lot. Nearly half dead by time ambulance arrives. Seeing cardiology a lot, wish mine was higher. Not so many hosp admissions

Gosh how scary User! DH was 250/140 when he had his stroke! GP arranged hospital and I had to take him in to AE and wait in car park for 4 hours. That was scary too. Apparently a hypertensive crisis. Fortunately DS lives near hospital so his partner fed me and gave me a hot water bottle for the car.

Hetty58

Baggs:

'when you have relaxed for about ten minutes or so'

That's what I can't do!

Maybe you need to learn some relaxation techniques. They're useful anyway. Good luck!

I always take it once a week while reading my iPad news pages, I put it on my arm read a couple of articles and take it 3 times randomly, it’s always high at first settles on the mid one and much lower on the third one. I record the middle one which is always well within range for my age.

I think we all need to book a holiday somewhere sunny.

www.bjfm.co.uk/sunlight-lowers-blood-pressure

Me too. Very funny.

shysal

The only way I can get a low reading is to don the monitor then sit in a chair with the sun on my face. When I feel myself nodding off I press the button quickly to catch it unawares!

Must try that Shysal!

DH has white coat syndrome but I do think it's because he worries about his BP since developing hypertension in his 30s which was a shock as he has always been a Fit athlete. Now in later life the BP has become erratic and its been difficult to get him settled on additional medication. After a year of experimenting with his meds via telephone calls the GP has deigned to grant him a face to face appointment next week.

Whenever mine is checked at the surgery the systolic id high.
Taking readings at home, using the same make of machine, after at least 10 minutes relation always gives lower readings.
A few weeks ago asked to keep a diary over 7 days of morning and night readings, and then to average.
RESULT Averages were much lower than those at the surgery SLIGHTLY higher diastolic than the o"one size fits all" limits. (Had either just woken or rested for 10 minutes rather than jumping up and walking into the consulting room! ) Have heard no more on that front
AND this is at least two years after I stopped taking the third lot of medicine that caused horrendous side effects!
But being over 70 MUST have something the matter with me that needs treating; in the eyes of the surgery.

Hypotensive I meant

I am hypertensive. So BP is 48 over 30 quite a lot. Nearly half dead by time ambulance arrives. Seeing cardiology a lot, wish mine was higher. Not so many hosp admissions

I cannot fit the upper arm cuff correctly on my own, the damn thing twists and creases so I need to use my teeth to help pull it into position! I then bought a wrist cuff which is a doddle to use.

Someone told me that they were not as accurate so I took mine with me for a bp check by the nurse. She used the regular cuff then immediately afterwards, I used my wrist one. Mine did give slightly lower readings but the nurse said it was close enough to be useful and will indicate an upward trend.

This thread has reminded me that I need to do another 8 days of readings, two readings morning and evening for 8 days then average them out. I was put on blood thinners, statins and one of my bp tablets increased in strength following a TIA so I’d like to know if it is now lower.

I’ve had “white coat syndrome” since attending the hospital booking clinic for 1st baby, 45 years ago. Been taking tablets to lower blood pressure since heart attack 9 years ago. My blood pressure is always high when attending any medical premises, but recently when I went for a shingles jab, it was sky high and I couldn’t have the injection then. The Practice Nurse prescribed additional BP tablets and I have to report twice daily readings to her every month. I have printed the sheet from BHS (British hypertension society) to note my recordings and that says “ … take a minimum of two readings, leaving at least a minute between each. If the first two readings are very different, take 2 or 3 further readings”. It also says “you do not need to record your pulse/heart rate”. That seems to work for me, my BP is now down to the target level I was set after the heart attack, but like others say, it is difficult to “relax” before taking readings. Someone once said that your blood pressure goes up when your bladder is full (but I can’t verify that personally or medically) I find that’s a consequence of being anxious anyway.

The only way I can get a low reading is to don the monitor then sit in a chair with the sun on my face. When I feel myself nodding off I press the button quickly to catch it unawares!

I’ve found the answer is before the reading is taken spend five minutes sitting doing some deep breathing, in for six, hold for hold for four, out for six or more if you can. It’s amazing what this does.

I had some bloods taken only this afternoon and nurse also did a bp check and needless to say it went sky high! I just hate the constriction feeling. Upshot is I have to take it twice a day for a week. I am a “white coat = raised bp person”

I do mine for a week before yearly older person checkup, advice is take three then average them, am and pm, I hate it, so the first time I disregard, then start again.