Varying Blood Pressure Readings

[Bluebelladonna]

Hi, I was sent to the Dr by my optician because I have double vision in one eye but couldn't find a cause and he wanted me to get my bloods and blood pressure checked. Before going to my Dr's appointment I checked my blood pressure using my mother in laws home blood pressure machine. I had 3 very high readings with the lowest one being 188/121. I went straight to the Dr but I was seen by the nurse who took my bloods and checked my blood pressure and sent me home with instructions to check my blood pressure 3 times a day and go back I'm 4 days time. I was told I had stage 1 hypertension but because I am already exercising more and eating healthier (I've already lost nearly 3 stone), she didn't want to put me on meds straight away. I've to monitor my blood pressure and go back in 3 months time.

Well anyway, it's been a week and my blood pressure has been all over the place. One day I've been having normal readings around 120/80 (sometimes lower) and other day I've had high readings around 140/90. I have days where its been mixed where the blood pressure has went from being high to normal in the matter of minutes. Yesterday I had readings of 177/97 and I'm just wondering why it's changing so much and if I actually have high blood pressure if I'm still having normal readings. I hope this post makes sense. I always rest before taking readings and follow the instructions of the machine. I'm using the Omron Intelli M7 IT and it often detects an irregular heartbeat as well.

[Stumpy47]

I'm going through this issue myself but diagnosed as Postural Hypotension (low BP) & so far (after eye tests etc) GP's have found that I was put on a medication which reduces blood pressure, I was ALREADY ona Bisoprolol (Beta Blocker) which also reduces BP. Perhaps as part of your diagnosis a review of your meds is something to consider. I was taken off the recent drug & given another SO FAR the Double Vision has not come back although I still get slight dizziness when standing or lying prone. Best wishes.

[Bluebelladonna in reply to Stumpy47]

Thank you for your reply. I am not taking any medications. I'm glad the change in your medicine has helped you and I hope your dizziness goes away too. 😊

[Hidden]

How long did you get double vision for. The reason I ask is that way back in October 2021 I was at work and got double vision it lasted a day? However I did go to hospital that same day. They did not find anything untoward however the double vision did go away and I did go to an optician and he could find anything other than the small veins where contorted which was due to blood pressure. Naturally I got checked out and the blood pressure was not hugely high but then in the December I had the third injection. That carnt be named and then two months later my blood pressure was in the 170/104 range and the rest is history, you can read my bio.

[Bluebelladonna in reply to Hidden]

It has been going on for a while but I didn't go to the opticians sooner because I couldn't afford new glasses. I was 4 years overdue a check up and knew my eyesight had deteriorated quite a bit. I only noticed how bad the double vision was at the optician because it's only noticeable with one eye closed (when both eyes are open it just looks like it's blurry)

[Chinkoflight in reply to Bluebelladonna]

I think an optician and eye test is the starting point. I noticed clear double images in one eye by chance closing one eye and looking at the TV small BBC logo on the football. which manifested as blurry vision both eyes. Resolved with a prism lens, the improvement in prescription was dramatic and immediate. Not a problem when wearing contact lenses. Sight is so important to well being. Bite the bullet but resist expensive frames and all the add ons they try and sell you.

[Hidden in reply to Bluebelladonna]

Than you for replying. It is scary. I hope you get sorted out. I don't know really what caused mine. But I have suffered migrains which come with an aura for many years. But now on blood pressure medication so will have to see how I get on. You take care .

[Hidden]

hi maybe give it another week of monitoring and ask surgery if they can share results (take up a copy of your record with the nurse to see if they stand by no meds for now. It may give you peace of mind or the nurse may change their mind.

It may be the healthy changes aren’t coming fast enough to control your BP and that’s where meds might come in I.e. take while getting on with developing healthier habits?

out of interest is the nurse a type of nurse who can prescribe meds? Or should they be consulting the doctor before says no meds?

👍

[Bluebelladonna in reply to Hidden]

It was an ANP that I saw. I have went over my readings and even with the low readings they are averaging out as grade 1 hypertension. I have an appointment with the Dr on the 4th of Oct and I have an ECG on Wednesday. My blood work was okay. I will take my readings in to show the Dr at the appointment.

[timetabler]

'Double vision in one eye' is not possible ...double vision is only possible if both eyes are open. Blurred vision however is certainly possible...

[Bluebelladonna in reply to timetabler]

So you're saying that my optician is wrong? I certainly do have double vision in one eye. It's called Monocular Diplopia if you want to look it up and educate yourself. I see it clearly as double vision when I have the good eye closed, when both of them open it just looks very blurry.

[timetabler in reply to Bluebelladonna]

Apologies !

[Bluebelladonna in reply to timetabler]

No worries. You learn something new every day. Have a great day!

[Qualipop]

AN irregular heartbeat c an affect your BP readings as can whatever you've been doing or even thinking about . The idea of 3 times a day for a week aims at getting an average because doctors know how much it can fluctuate. Give it a few days and work out your average yourself; you will probably find it's not as bad as you expect. My GP suggests taking 3 readings each time and recording the lowest one. I know if I get a high one then the next reading will be even higher because I worry about it. Try putting the monitor on before you settle down to watch TV then after about 15 minutes with your feet up and relaxed, just press the button and carry on watching TV ( unless it's a horror film LOL). Leave the monitor on and take it again 10 minutes later. No eating or drinking and make sure the cuff is around heart level- rest it on a cushion.

[Jack2019]

Blood pressure reading can vary from day to day, it is affected by sleep, blood sugar, stress, time of day, so many things. I personally would only be concerned if every reading was very high. I had a similar problem with my left eye. I also went to the doctor and like yourself they could find no issues. He did give me a lubricating ointment , much better than drops, and that has really helped.

[Bluebelladonna in reply to Jack2019]

I'm glad that the ointment helped you. I'm only worried about my bp because I'm 34yr old and my mum had it young, she sadly passed away from COPD and heart failure at 52. I'm trying my best to get healthier. I've lost 3 stone since May. I'm hoping I can get it under control on my own with just lifestyle changes. I get really bad headaches every other day and I don't know if its from my double vision or bp. I also have a new symptom of having numb finger tips for days but I have no idea if that's relevant or what.

[Jack2019]

Well congrats on the weight loss, losing excess weight will benefit your blood pressure as well as heart function. I wonder if perhaps you may have a blood sugar issue, excess can affect vision, circulation , blood pressure etc..

[Bluebelladonna in reply to Jack2019]

I thought that too because it does make sense but I've had blood tests done and they came back fine

[Noodlesalad]

MorningWhat a worry for you. I have read on here and my cardiologist also told me after having a blood pressure monitor they look at the readings over a week or two then do the math of what your average is. A bit complicated for me and the mad thing is when I saw the cardiologist in July this year it was very high even though I had been sitting quietly for an hour before seeing him and he asked me if I'd been stressed I wasn't because as far as I'm concerned when you go to any outpatient clinic you accept your not going to be seen right away and it's never stressed me out. Anyway he doubled my blood pressure medication because in his words ' we want you to be as comfortable as possible '.

Up until four years ago the rare occasion I took my blood pressure it was low or normal but I can say I've been extremely stressed for over ten years so maybe for me it's been a cumulative effect.

I would say speak to your GP or practice nurse and let them know what's going on. Try not to worry.

[Stumpy47]

Just an update over the past week my BP seems to have stabilised & returned to more normal levels. I shall definitely question any new meds my GP etc prescribes in the future.