High blood pressure reading has launched a spiral....

[NoelDream]

So I went in for an oral surgery consult.... and they took my blood pressure and it was high 158/108. And my doctor has told me never to get my bp done at the dentist. She actually doesn’t like me to take it myself either, because my anxiety is so strong that it spikes as soon as I go near the machine. She likes to take it in person.

I have been diagnosed as Complex PTSD and it exhibits in strong ocd, anxiety and panic attacks. And I am so stressed about the Bp reading at the dentist.

And I have so much going on right now I own 3 business all in danger with the pandemic... I am caring for an aging parent (who is living with me) I have a big surgery scheduled for next month... I have only had one day off since March 6. I feel so overwhelmed...but I just keep trying to find strength to keep everything together. I have always been the one to keep everything together.

But I have very little inner strength.

[HelpingElbow]

Hi

I can relate to this completely! Happened to me a few years back. My reading was 172/100. Plot twist: I was having a panic attack whilst the reading was being taken.

Yes, your doctor is right. Never take BP reading elsewhere and never do it on your own.

No need to stress out. Cheers!

[Hidden]

Are you having Oral Surgery ?.

The reason I ask is if you are nervy at the dentist your blood pressure will rise as you attend an appointment. You need to have a blood pressure taking when at rest because the blood pressure at this times seems to be peaking due to fear of treatment.

I am a bad patient at the dentist and need sedation to go through treatment. My blood pressure rises from a low level to a high reading when having treatment. Normally my pressure is about 120/80 however this raises to over 140 if I am having treatments, 140/100 so you will notice a big change. Even if you go to the Doctor you need to relax before blood readings are taken because the readings will be higher because of walking etc

Try not taking your own Blood Pressure readings as well, these readings vary throughout the day and the readings taken by you will increase stress levels

BOB

[hypercat54]

This reading is a bit on the high side but it's honestly nothing to worry about. Mine is around 130/80 which I am told is good. It's worth remembering that stress makes it higher but only temporarily. Unless you have a medical problem there is no need to keep taking it as it just makes your anxiety worse.

Your workload is insane and you need to take at least 1 day a week off. Surely few things are so important that 1 day doesn't matter? If your health breaks down from overwork you will need a lot more than a day off. There is no point being the richest corpse in the graveyard!

[Jeff1943]

Noel, it is notoriously difficult to get an accurate bp reading specially if you experience anxiety disorder. Doctor's surgeries/offices cause elevated readings to many due to white coat syndrome and it's most probable the same applies to dentists.

Like you, I have found that a variant form of white coat syndrome can happen even when you take bp readings at home: we think "Oh dear, my blood pressure is bound to be bad news" and the anxiety this thought causes makes it a self fulfilling prophecy.

So how can you get an accurate reading? Well, don't take it after eating, sit down for a few minutes a feel yourself relaxed. Then take three consecutive readings at 2 minute intervals. Some bp machines will automatically do this for you like the Omron 10. You will notice the first reading can be higher than normal. But the next reading 2 minutes later will show a marked reduction in pressures. Then the third reading will be lower still. Then add up the three sistolic and distolic readings and divide by three. The result is as accurate a reading as you will ever get.

Then remember, when some alarmist person tells you that your high bp means your 4 times more likely to have a heart attack, then the odds only change from one in 800 to one in 200 so the odds are still heavily in your favour.

See how you get on by averaging three consecutive readings and I think you'll be less worried. But even if it stays high you can always bring it under control with a single tablet each day, but I bet you won't need it.