blood pressure

[Gizmocat12]

can anyone help. My blood pressure was 150/79 , doctor said to try get it down so started on 2.5mg came down to 136/79. So doc said try another 2.5mg didn’t move much so try another 2.5 mg. So now on 7mg. Told to wait till 3-4 weeks have passed then do a week of readings. Of course me being anxious panicky me… did a reading today…. 187/87….. how is that possible it was never that high before blood pressure tablets??? Any help suggestions? Doctor has told me to wait till the time she said but will that make any difference???

[RF260]

Hi, I think the words anxious and panicky in your post could be significant factors in the readings. I've been on 10mg Ramipril for 20 years and BP has been well controlled. I do recall having similar readings to yours 20 years ago. You will see posts on here from people who get "white coat syndrome" even on a home monitor as we are desperate for a "normal reading". Take 3 readings, at least 5 minutes apart and you may find that each one comes down a bit as you relax a little, then take an average. Devices are great and we can become obsessive (I check my heart rate far too often on my Fitbit and I know when anxious the reading is much higher) Good luck

[Gizmocat12 in reply to RF260]

Thankyou so much for your reply. It just confused me how it could go high when on meds , higher than it was before meds. I’m open to trying anything they want me to take along with sensible eating and excercise. Just don’t cope well with health matters xx

[Qualipop in reply to Gizmocat12]

anxiety can shoot BP up to ridiculous levels. It happens to me quite frequently even though I don't have a BP problem. If you lie down and relax it will start to come down. That will tell you it was anxiety. It happens regardless of tablets. BP fluctuates all the time. Mine goes up if I go to the doctor's but comes back down again. Readings taken at home are more reliable that when you are at the GP and stressed.

[MikeThePike in reply to Qualipop]

Only if your device is calibrated. I only found out recently that my home BP monitor from a very well know Japanese company requires its calibration to be checked periodically. All this time I'm thinking my BP is fine when it fact it could be high and I won't know until I get a stroke or something. There was no mention of this when I bought the thing either in the advert or in the instructions. People beware!

[Qualipop in reply to MikeThePike]

I take mine to the local pharmacy every year to check it against theirs.

[Hfirst in reply to RF260]

Been in very similar situation and it’s a worry and also hard to just trust the GPs when results not happening quick enough. What I have learnt is give self a good 10 -15 minutes at rest then sit at a table. Don’t have cuff too tight - should be able to just move a finger between cuff and arm. Have arm in line with heart level - may need a cushion under. And try keep in relaxed state then take avg of 3 readings. I was just given cuff and told to get on with it but if not doing it in correct way can affect readings! I also had white coat syndrome so home readings are best as the don’t have the time in surgery. It can also take a time for meds to adjust - took me 2-3 months and side affects so had to change medication but slowly comes down. Don’t be too hard on self - diet can play a big part in the process as well. And always empty bladder before a reading ! Sorry so long but I was so frustrated with the whole process and took a while to get on track. Hope feel benefits soon - good luck .

[Hidden]

as RF 260 says.

Blood pressure does go up and down .

The nervous system of the body is, in many ways, quite primitive. If you put your finger on the flame of a candle, you will IMMEDIATELY withdraw. You don’t have to think about it, you just do it! If you run for the bus, your blood pressure will be really high. That’s what it is for,

If your body senses that you might need to run away, it will get your blood pulsing through your body so that you can flee, to give your muscles the necessary food and oxygen to do so. If you are anxious your body puts the blood pressure up.

So, your body is doing what it thinks is the right thing.

You might find some help from the website of Blood Pressure UK, the specialist charity.

[Gizmocat12 in reply to Hidden]

Thankyou for your reply. Everything you’ve said makes sense… I just spiral when it comes to my health xxxx

[bluemoon572]

This happened to me but when a low dose of a long acting diuretic was added daily to my other BP meds, it potentiated their effect and my BP control improved. Serum electrolytes and kidney function are periodically checked.

[Badger1966]

we all get anxious, stay focused and calm take a deep breath, When on new medication the readings will be up and down due to medication adjusting to our system, or not working, so we try a new medication till it works with our bodies. As we are all different. I’ve been told take 3 readings one or two minutes apart. then the 3rd reading is the true. You will get through this so chill .🧘‍♀️ 👍

[Redfloyd]

I'm sure you are probably aware that your blood pressure is higher first thing in the morning. After my AVR and CABG my BP in hospital was 140/70 and nobody was too concerned.4 months post op it had crept up to 205/95 first thing dropping to 160/80 by the end of the day. I'm on losartan and this has been increased to 125mg with the option to increase to 150mg.

I've started taking my BP now by making sure I've been to the toilet, I sit on a dining chair, feet flat on the floor and arm resting on the table. Without moving I take my BP 3 times and take take the best result. I find a distraction like looking at my phone helps as well.

My BP is starting to drop, I have had it down to 140/65, still too high but improving.

[Mountwood in reply to Redfloyd]

I find that reading for 10 minutes brings my BP down, along with sitting on a dining chair etc.

[OK10 in reply to Redfloyd]

Hi. Same thing happened to me as well. When i had my cabg and in hospital my bp was well within the limits but when i came home after a few weeks it went up when i thought it should go down because of new arteries. So my gp increased the dosage. At the moment i am taking 5mg felodopine in the morning and 5mg ramipril at night. Some days my systolic no in 130' and on other days in 120s, all taken under the same conditions.

[Parsley56]

I am just like you! Terrible white coat syndrome -even the sight of the monitor affects me! The key is to be relaxed, as everyone says. Keep the cuff on for a few minutes before you take it, (I find doing a crossword really helps distract me) then take readings. I take several until it settles.Don't worry!

[YITOPM]

I think the model of home BP monitor you have can be quite important too. First one I bought was quite erratic between readings with cuff in same place. Replaced with an Omron which seems really reliable.

[L8Again]

My wife’s cardiologist believes that the NHS limits for BP medication are set too high which is little comfort for someone whose BP sits just below 140!

Anxiety is clearly a factor and the tightening of the band and the whirring of the BP pump does not help.

My wife had high BP up to 180. As she was in hospital at the time waiting to have a pacemaker fitted, her cardiologist prescribed a cocktail of 2 BP medications in preference to raising the dosage of the one that she was on. She is now on the lowest doses of ramipril and perindopril. Her BP in the morning is now 110/70.

As an aside, anxiety-related high BP can be caused by excess/high adrenaline. If you are suffering from extreme fatigue and have any feelings of extreme anxiety (particularly, on first waking) then it is worth having your adrenaline levels checked.

[fishonabike]

Like you my BP was not adequately controlled on one medication - as an ex-nurse Iknow that blood pressure control is very complex and can involve a lot of factors, so I did not understand why meds are simply dished out with little attempt to find out which part of the mechanism is being affected

Eventually I saw a cardiology consultant, she added a second which acts on a different part of the BP control mechanism - she explained that this has been found to be more effective than simply increasing the dose of a single medication - she also said that for some people (I suspect it should be more) it can take a bit of trial and error to get the right combination

I think the current approach of dishing out standard meds then increasing the dose works is the most cost-efficient approach, but it does not allow flexibility for those who don't respond - many GPs do not have the relevant knowledge /experience to be able to get the right combination in cases like this

Could you try suggesting that your GP consider a combination or seeking advice from someone which a more extensive understanding of the issue?

[JezzaJezza]

When it comes to taking your blood pressure at home, consistency is key. However, there are some general guidelines to follow for the most accurate readings:

Recommended Times:

* Morning:

* It's generally recommended to take your blood pressure first thing in the morning, after you've used the bathroom, but before eating or taking any medication.

* This provides a baseline reading.

* Evening:

* Taking another reading in the evening, roughly 12 hours after your morning reading, is also helpful.

* This allows you to track how your blood pressure fluctuates throughout the day.

Important Considerations:

* Preparation:

* Avoid caffeine, alcohol, and smoking for at least 30 minutes before taking your blood pressure.

* Sit quietly for 5 minutes before taking a reading, with your back supported, legs uncrossed, and feet flat on the floor.

* Consistency:

* Try to take your readings at the same time each day.

* Take multiple readings (2-3) each time, waiting a minute or two between each, and average the results.

* Consult Your Doctor:

* Your doctor may have specific recommendations for when and how often you should take your blood pressure.

* They can also help you interpret your readings and determine if any adjustments to your lifestyle or medication are necessary.

By following these guidelines, you can ensure that you're getting accurate and reliable blood pressure readings.

[Gizmocat12]

Thankyou you all!!!!! I really appreciate all theses replies. I’m not alone!!!!!

[pete109]

I take 3 readings 2 mins apart and I take it before I get up, the first reading is always higher than the next one, taking it regularly seems to work for me, I too have white coat syndrome, when taken by a GP or nurse at the surgery mine goes to 220, when I get home it’s back to the 120s, I’ve also found that some of the many different BP meds I’ve tried make my BP rise, my GPs don’t believe it happens, but it does.

[wischo]

Yes my blood pressure is quite normal at home and is always raised when at a GP or medical consultation. Would it be possible for your GP to fit you with a 24hour blood pressure monitor which would give you a true reading rather than a high reading due to anxiety. A 24hr BP monitor is a common test nowadays.

[Pepperthedog]

Hi Gizmocat - I had a similar experience many years ago, when I was in very difficult circumstances: while taking my BP, the GP asked how I liked the very isolated, badly-run boarding school where my husband had taken a new job, and where we were living cheek-by-jowl with 50 troubled boys, one of whom had threatened to kill my tiny, premature baby. My BP literally went off the scale, so he told me to breathe deeply for a few minutes, and the second reading was much lower! It's always a good idea to take more than one reading, several minutes apart.

BTW, doctors call it "white coat syndrome", they know it's common.

[OK10]

Hi. Blood pressure varies throughout the day. You have wait at least 30 mins after a meal to measure it and rest. Take 3 readings couple of minuted apart and take the lowest reading. If your bp rises to 180 for a day i would say don't worry about but if you no is consistently high then go and see your gp as it shouldn't be above 140. Cut out the salt or use lo-salt to reduce your sodium intake and exercise. Good luck.

[Healthlover123]

Hi there that old BP seems to cause a lot of anxiety I have been taking Isbesartan or Avalide the generic name for a few years now As my BP rise to over 200/80 at times hecincreased my dosage and now I’m taking 275 mgms in the morning Plus Hydralazine was added a month ago as My BP keeps rising I take this three times daily as well I had a stent put in last June so am also on

Clipodogril to prevent clotting.Unfortunately my BP is still 175-180 Systolic in the morning I do relax and deep breathe and take the second reading after five mins but not much effect it doesn’t go down a little.I did go to the ER twice with BP over 220/90 they said not to go to ER unless I have other symptoms like dizziness ,chest pain,pain down my arms ect .So now I just stay home and deep breathe and try to relax .I know the diastolic ,bottom number is ok if it’s under 100 and the top number is usually up and down due to stress or whatever you are doing at the time .I really wish they would try to find out why our BP is high rather than keep upping these meds as they have so many side effects .Intry not to worry if it’s high and just check it a few hours later

Always wait one hour after a meal to check your BP .Please try not to think about it and you may find it will decrease a little Im almost 89 years old ,so think positive and I wish you all the best

[Gizmocat12 in reply to Healthlover123]

Thankyou kindly for your reply. Yes it’s a worry especially when it’s a silent problem. I’m doing as I’ve been told. Leaving it in till 24th March before testing as just had meds upped. And then will see where I go from there xxx

[TasteLessFood4Life]

hi,

Key is consistently high. One-of or a few spot readings of hypertension doesnt always qualify for treatment. I have some episodes of high readings, i.e. 150/90 but across the board it is more of a exception than rule after doing 24/7 recorder.Typical range is 115/75. Hence, no intervention required at this stage.

best

[Anothernewbie]

I suffer from white coat syndrome. To get round it when I have a GP appointment I take my BP twice a day, first thing in the morning and just before going to bed for 10-15 day before the appointment and take the readings with me.. The first day is always without fail, higher than the rest. After the first couple of days they are usually fairly similar. GP is interested in the trend, not the daily readings, and looks at the average over time.

If it is anxiety causing your high readings, this might be an idea for you to try.