Is anyone in the same boat as me?

Hi all,

Being medicated for High Blood Pressure. Is anyone experiencing the same issues as me. My average daily blood pressure is now down to 118/75 but my morning readings are always 140/90 or slightly above or below. No matter what I do they do not alter. I realise this is high normal and not the most dangerous situation but I am frustrated that the figures do not fall a bit lower in the morning. My GP doesn't seem to be concerned as he is only interested in the average. Am I alone with this or is it common amongst us?

Thank you. Frustration out in type (and that helps!).

[Dizzytwo]

Hi there, I also suffer with raised BP in the morning. It does lower through out the day.

I do have trouble taking any BP meducation due to side effects. I am on a low dose of amolodipine at the moment.

I do know my dose could do with been higher but due to side effects I will stick with what I'm on for now.

I too am concerned about the higher BP in the mornings to be honest. Have you spoke with your GP about it? They may need to look at your medication.

[Hidden in reply to Dizzytwo]

Hi Dizzytwo, thanks for replying. My GP is very difficult to get to - but the last time I raised it he wasn't concerned as long as my daily average was ok. He didn't want to add more medication as that would bring my lower readings throughout the day down further. I see the advice is to take BP readings in the morning before medication, but advice on the Royal Hospital Oxford says take morning BP readings after medication. If I dis that my BP would be around 128/83 in the morning. I think I might start doing that - Take my meds very first thing and only then an hour later take a reading. I think my anxiety pushes my reading up first thing in the morning - a bit of a viscous circle for me. At least I think 140/90 in the morning is not too bad as I realise morning BP tends to rise. I think I need to stop worrying ... but it is so hard.

Hope you can get yours under control and I send you my best wishes.

[Sleepyholllow in reply to Hidden]

Hello BP120,I totally get what you are saying, I take lercanidipine 20mg with rotten side effects, I have similar readings in the morning, but you are right, anxiety could be playing a part. Your numbers don’t seem too bad to me though.

[Hidden in reply to Sleepyholllow]

Hi sleepyhollow. I'm sure white coat/cuff syndrome comes into play. I'm now reasonably settled with my readings and won't be checking them so much.

[Sleepyholllow in reply to Hidden]

Hood plan! I know exactly how you feel, it can take over, and that doesn’t solve anything . Good luck.

[Hidden]

My doctor said everybody had slightly higher blood pressure first thing in the morning. It's the daytime readings that matter.

[Ukscorpio]

You don’t say how long it is after waking up before you take it? You should certainly allow yourself reasonable acclimatisation time and that probably means taking it 1 hour after your tablet and therefore your breakfast. Your figures are very good anyway so many people reading this will say stop worrying about nothing.

[reedcolfax]

I'm pretty sure you know that BP fluctuates throughout the day, and though it should be lower in the morning, that's not always the case. For example - how old are you? If you're over fifty then a BP of 140/90 is considered most acceptable. When do you take your first reading of the day? Best to make it about an hour after you get up and have been moving around for a while. Taking it as soon as you get up will give you a false reading. Is this the first reading you take, or the second? Generally, you should always disregard the first reading. By the sound of things, you have nothing to worry about - your BP is within well acceptable levels and the meds are doing their stuff!

[Hidden in reply to reedcolfax]

Thanks reedcolfax, The term "well acceptable levels " is what my GP has said. I think I'm just a little obsessed, so going to take it all on board and relax. I shall cut out the constant checking and when I do take a morning reading it will be around 11 am well after I have taken my meds. Thank you,

[reedcolfax in reply to Hidden]

I can't fault you for showing concern about your health! I'm just as bad!

[Sleepyholllow in reply to Hidden]

Yes as the other people are saying, stop the constant checking, it’s very detrimental in my opinion, particularly as your numbers seem fine to me especially if you are over 50.Hope this helps.

[Hidden in reply to Sleepyholllow]

Thank you. Have stopped taking them as much. I'm happy with my overall readings now and will just "get on with life".

[Alvin07]

Yes I do and mine is really confusing the way it comes

[Hidden]

Well I am today fitted with a 24 hour BP monitor to check my readings. My first reading at the hospital fitting was 165/98 - the highest I've had for months! Damn this anxiety - I hope the readings over the next 24 hour fall.

[Sleepyholllow in reply to Hidden]

They will! Hospital always raises my numbers!

[Hidden in reply to Sleepyholllow]

They did fall. 135/82 average. I'm ok with that.

[picklesquish]

I have a type of dysautonomia that causes my BP to go high when I lay down. My cardiologist recommended raising the head of my bed abd it works. Also, check you BP before you ride from bed in the laying position. This is a good indicator of your overall BP according to my doc.

[Hidden in reply to picklesquish]

Thanks for the tip picklesquish. My BP is under 120/80 first thing laying in bed but increases after I have got up. I think it is my anxiety on my morning reading. Hoping the 24 hour monitoring will reassure me. Keep yourself well in these troubled times and I shall keep smiling!

[Princessindia]

My BP be all over the place! I’m taking losartan but only half the pill because one morning I woke up and couldn’t walk well, my right leg kept buckling wasn’t steady on my feet! So my doctor said the medication was to strong for me. My physical therapist said he takes his HP medicine at night because most ppl tend to have strokes while they sleep.

[Jaybird19 in reply to Princessindia]

I take mine at night after reading the same

[geordie_69]

I was concerned about high blood pressure. Doctor suggested readings over 2 week period, and submit to them. 140 / 90 does not seem too much. ? But not expert. I tend to take a few readings 5 to 10 mins apart. Generally I'd expect them to go down / settle as I relax. If they go up then probably that white coat syndrome which is affecting results, so disregard.

If you have times of 118/75 then I'd be thinking more medication would reduce that too, which I'm guessing would not be ideal. ?

[omits]

I sit up in bed and read a book for ten minutes after fitting the cuff. Then I take a reading which is always the highest of three spaced 2 mins apart. this is before I take the pill. About 135/80. Later midday it is down to 118/75. I have just started on 5mg opd. I am getting tingling feet and hands often just before the next dose or during the early hours.