I have never had heart problems,age 63, wf,blood pressure always been ok for my age,am a state outpatient, last visit I was put on Verapamil

I have never had heart problems/vascular disease, my blood pressure always been ok for my age, am a state patient - last visit I was kept in emergency room and put on Verapamil - the state day hospital uses an electric blood pressure monitor. The reading was high, incorrect, an exaggeration, so I was kept in the emergency room, I felt traumatised, because when I take my blood pressure with a digital monitor, the reading is much lower. I am taking HALF the dosage prescribed (Verapamil), was/am still on Pharmapress 10 mg per day. I felt unhappy about the ATTITUDE of the health workers (i.e. dr and nurse), the length of time I was kept sitting there in the emergency room. I left there at closing time. I can get another reading at a local pharmacy at a minimal charge. I take my blood pressure with a digital monitor and the reading is much lower. I don't know how to handle the situation at next appointment early July 2018. The same incident occurred in May, a new nurse works there. I was upset and called the Police. Patients have rights, not sure what my rights are, but the Verapamil makes me very sleepy/drowsy.

[doodle68]

Hello and welcome Verapamil is used to treat various conditions including high blood pressure and some heart conditions.

This site is used mostly by those with arrhythmia mainly Atrial Fibrillation (AF), has someone told you that you may have an arrhythmia.

Why were you attending the emergency department were you feeing ill?

It is not unusual to have a high blood pressure reading when it is taken at a Doctors surgery or hospital and to find it is lower elsewhere, its called 'white coat syndrome' ..

[Hidden in reply to doodle68]

Thank you, I am taking half the dosage i.e. two instead of four per day, I was not attending the emergency 'dept' - I had an appointment, needed to see the state dr about other issues, but was not given an opportunity to do this - thank you, however, the dr/s are under a lot of pressure, my appointment was on a Friday and the day hospital/clinic was not as crowded and busy as on other days. The doctor I sensed was 'very good', came over to the emergency room, saw me briefly, prescribed Verapamil. I want to be healthy, just felt a little uneasy being kept there for so many hours .. thanks again

[doodle68 in reply to Hidden]

Hi NHH I am in the UK so not sure about some of the things you mention.

Do you have someone like our General Practitioners (GP) with whom you can discuss your dosage and concerns.

[Ianc2]

Suggest you start a daily recording of your blood pressure. If you can get a reading from a digital monitor on a regular basis you will be able to get a much clearer view of what is going on and you will be able to produce this as evidence to your doctor.. It will also help you to feel more confident when you are deploying all the tact and charm you can muster to discuss your readings with them. and then

If you are getting readings without your monitor stopping and starting it implies that heartbeat is reasonably regular, which means you have a good chance of getting your blood pressure down by lifestyle measures. So smile and be happy - the alternative is not much fun!

Ian