High Blood pressure

I should say blood pressure. Top is high, bottom normal

Say 160 to 180 over 70 to 80.

Here is your answer. I think you you see a doctor and get checked out ASAP.

Blood Pressure UK can answer your questions.

thanks. I am doing it for my doctor

It’s best to speak to your dr but one reading isn’t an indication of the measure. Blood pressure uk has lots of information. Measure it around the same time, no caffeine before, empty your bladder and take three measurements a few minutes apart. Best of luck

squirri, even if you don't feel unwell, high BP can cause damage to your heart, that's why it has to be monitored and dealt with if necessary. As has been said, a couple of readings aren't enough.

I only discovered I had it, when my colleagues and I were fooling about with a BP machine. Mine was 200 over 80 and I had no idea anything was wrong.
Twenty years later, I have micro vascular damage caused by constantly high BP and it is still very high. It was 179 over 81 in A&E last week! However, I am still here, despite it!

It's easy to say don't worry. However, it could just be a temporary thing. If not, it can be treated. There are so many more effective drugs nowadays, than when I was first diagnosed. Sometimes they need to be tweaked to get the right one.

The most important thing is your doctor is on the case, that is a huge step. Some people never know their BP is high.
Hopefully it will settle down.

Does your surgery have a BP ‘diary’ that you can print off?
I printed off mine, took my BP twice a day for 7 days (following the instructions) and then posted it into the surgery, they contacted me to have a BP monitor for 24 hours, after that I was given pills which I take every night.
BP is now normal.

This link might help anyone needing to record their BP:-

bihsoc.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Home_blood_pressure_diary.pdf

Mine was 220/110 a few times a couple of years ago when I was struggling with anxiety. GP didn't bat an eyelid.

Kate1949

Mine was 220/110 a few times a couple of years ago when I was struggling with anxiety. GP didn't bat an eyelid.

Oh Kate I was sent to A&E with similar figures, and kept overnight, you can imagine my panic. Anyway the BP was down to 150/90 by the following morning. My doctor told me not to check it too often or it becomes a vicious circle. I hardly bother now, rightly or wrongly.

How scary for you BlueSky. I'm the same. That machine terrifies me! My GP said it was so high because I was in a state of high anxiety. My heart was racing. She told me to take readings at home which I did and they were OK. I try not to think about it now. I just take my medication and hope for the best.

You are likely to get a high reading at the surgery because of the "White Coat Syndrome"particularly if you have driven there, are anxious about something.
A reading immediately after climbing stairs will be higher and show a high pulse rate, unless you are extremely fit.
BP needs to be taken under standard conditions.
You should not compare waking figures with those just after running or digging the garden!
A diary usually specifies on waking and when in bed after a short period of resting. At the end of the week the figures are averaged, so despite an isolated 152 / 81, the average might be 143 / 74 with a heart rate of 64.
The factors affecting the readings need to be taken into account when looking at the readings.
The difference between the lower, diastolic, pressure and the higher systolic is important.
When the heart is not pumping, but drawing in blood, the pressure should decay (fall). If the arteries are obstructed the pressure falls more slowly, so the difference is smaller, and the systolic is likely to be higher.
So 140 over 75 is good. The pressure is not high because the arteries are clear, and the pressure drops to a low figure
(Think of trying to pump up a bicycle tyre with a puncture)
If Systolic and Diastolic are both high, the arteries are likely to be obstructed, . The heart is trying to force blood through a partially blocked pipe. When it is not pumping the blood cannot drain away easily, so the pressure remains high.
So 180 over 100 is bad.
If the heart is strong, and the arteries are clear the Systolic may be high but the Diastolic will be low.
150 over 75 would be good A powerful pump delivering into an unrestricted pipe.
The heart rate also influences the readings. A slow beating heart, say 65 per minute might produce the 150 / 75 figure, but a heart racing at 90 beats per minute would produce high readings, because there is less time for the pressure to drop before the heart pumps again.
A low pressures and a high pulse rate suggest that the heart is small or not pumping well .
Medication can influence readings, as can the build of the body. Someone weighing 7 stone is unlikely to have a big powerful heart. Similarly, an overweight 5 footer would produce high readings, worthy of further attention.
Too strong a dose of Beta blockers can slow the heart and cause low pressures, so that you see stars or feel dizzy.
Not a doctor, purely seen from an engineering perspective.

Thank you Puzzled for this very useful explanation.

I suffer from 'white coat syndrome' and had a 24 hour monitor because of it. My BP was normal for my age.

Very interesting post Puzzled! I’ve read all sorts on BP and your unusual explanation is very useful. Thanks.