High blood pressure.

[benmaise]

I had my blood pressure taken at the pharmacy today. He said it was high. I was shocked as it has always been very good. The last time I last it taken the nurse said it was excellent. What causes high blood pressure Could it be Warfarin or Bisoprolol? Unless it could be because I have AF now? I'm quite worried now. I there anything I can do to reduce it I wonder.

[Thomas45]

Blood pressure normally fluctuates each day depending on your activity, diet, your level of anxiety, and a variety of other factors. Did the pharmacist give the actual reading or suggest you contacted your doctor? Were you having an episode of AF? How was blood pressure taken, with an electronic machine or by using a bulb and stethoscope?

[CDreamer]

As Thomas said, BP fluctuates constantly. One reading does not mean much at all. The only way to know is to plot your BP over a period of time, at various times of day at home. There is something called white coat Syndrone - ie: BP soars whenever it’s taken by anyone professional.

Wafarin should not affect BP and Bisoprolol helps stabilise BP and is used to treat high BP.

The numbers for considering high BP are constantly reducing and numbers for ‘normal’ differ from country to country and for differing specialities.

If you are concerned then go see your GP and ask for 24hour monitoring. It’s a bit of a bind as you have a BP machine strapped to you for 27 hours but it should show an accurate picture. Otherwise you could buy your own and DIY graph morning, noon and night for a week and then go see your doctor?

Hope some of that helps.

[Desanthony]

Had you walked to your pharmacists? Or walked around shopping before hand? Had trouble parking your car and had to rush across the road etc etc? Anything like this would have raised your BP. If you had some time to sit down and relax a little before it was taken it would probably have been lower in that case. It also rises slightly if you have just eaten and changes throughout the day. If you are concerned you should see your GP or Practice Nurse. We take our. BP once a week on a Sunday morning whilst sitting down relaxing half an hour after breakfast.

All the best.

[BobD Volunteer]

In my view a very silly pharmacist. Best discuss with your doctor as others here have said if you are worried. I would not get too fixated on it if I were you. You need a 7 day twice a day monitor and average have results to have any meaning.

[irene75359]

My first blood pressure reading is always sky-high - and that is taking it myself in the relaxed environment of my own home. I never fail to find the tightening of the cuff around my upper arm unpleasant. So I take at least five readings and the fifth is always considerably lower than the first.

I would seriously question a once-off reading from the pharmacy. Please check with your GP if you are really worried. I find it reassuring doing my own health checks every couple of weeks at home with my own machine.

[wilsond]

Please don't worry over this. Blood pressure fluctuates naturally,it wouldn't do its job otherwise! Lots of factors can give a higher reading. I have a tendency towards high BP , controlled well with meds and lifestyle but occasionally I have issues. Then I have to take three readings a day, different times ,for 10 days ! Then a real picture is able to be seen by GP.

A one off reading does not provide this.

Plus the more we worry the worse it is,also white coat syndrome ( where we get unconsciously anxious in clinic or other medical situations) can skew results.

You are on appropriate medication .

Best wishes xx

[benmaise in reply to wilsond]

Thank you Wilsond.

[benmaise]

Thank you all. You are all so helpful