Help. Panicking

[Lancashirelass07]

Is it worth buying a BP monitor? Been diagnosed with hypertension I am already taking meds ,but very anxious. At the gp surgery,. Would I ever get used to taking it at home without panicking.

I am full of what ifs. Should be able to relax more ,I am in my 70s feeling worried . Any comments please.

[Madlegs1]

I'm a fairly fit and healthy living 75 yr old and got the shock of my life to get the hypertension diagnosis.

I went out immediately to buy a monitor.

After a fortnight of 5mg Amlopidine, my reading was down from 200 to 140.

Great peace of mind.

Someone on this site gave great advice about takeing readings at home.

Do 4 at a time ( one after the other, 5ins apart) disregard the first reading, and take average of the other 3. Thats your correct reading.

At first you can do it 3 timrs a day, until you get bored!

Now I take it about once a week. Sometimes I can get it down to 125 with a bit of meditation!!😝

So- hould your whisht and dont be worriting. Sure- youll be grand.

Buy an upper arm cuff machine, and make sure the band is the correct size for your own arm.

I got a Braun one on sale in Boots. Very happy with it.

Good luck, and do let us know how it goes.

[Lancashirelass07 in reply to Madlegs1]

I am still in a panic ,freaking out really Last week GP increased my Bisoprolol 10mg and Ibersartan 150mg. and 5days later its still over 180. Nurse says I have not been on the increased doze long enough . But come back in 2 weeks. Am really freaking out.. can't even do the relaxation tapes I try to listen.

[Madlegs1 in reply to Lancashirelass07]

You are really not helping yourself.

It does take a fortnight for the meds to take effect,. So ,of course your readings will remain high.

Are you drinking enough liquids ( not alcohol)?

Get out for walks, preferably in woodland.

You will be ok.

[Lancashirelass07 in reply to Madlegs1]

yes doing everything I should be A little knowledge is a dangerous thing,. I use tobe a nuse. So should know better,. Need a magic pill to stop anxiety. Thanks for replying

[Lancashirelass07 in reply to Madlegs1]

thanks.

[Sleepyholllow in reply to Madlegs1]

love your comment "hould your whisht". haven't heard that one in a while!!

[Happyrosie]

I’m absolutely supporting what Madlegs says, with a further bit about taking it at home. You need to sit down, strap the machine on then sit quietly for ten minutes doing something quiet - listen to music, read a (non-thriller) book, chat quietly. When the ten minutes are up take three slow but not particularly deep breaths and start the machine, Eyes closed and NO talking while the machine works

If you find you’re a bit panicky about the readings, then ask a trusted member of family or friend to sit with you and write the readings down without you seeing them. This has the psychological effect of you not worrying about the actual a result. So it keeps the readings lower.

[Madlegs1 in reply to Happyrosie]

Great advice!

[Sleepyholllow]

hello lancashire lass07

it is a shock to get the diagnosis but the advice you're getting from the other people on here is very good in my opinion, i bought a monitor (brand is Omron) but i'm sure others are equally good, you do have it time to settle on the meds, even though they dan be difficult to tolerate, i struggle with them too,

do hope you get sorted and relax about this, seems we are all in the same boat, but don't take readings too often if you are anxious, just my experience, as i found it made things worse,

very best of luck to you.

[Lancashirelass07 in reply to Sleepyholllow]

thank so much for reply, should be uses to it by now , but always do panic with bp.

[Phil865]

I don't understand why you would be anxious or "freaking out" about finding out. Ignorance is the danger. Knowledge can save your life. With that said yes, it is good to know your pressure at home.

It has been mentioned that you need to check 3 or more times to get an average. And I have found different BP devices read differently too. I have a wrist and a cuff reader, and they do not jibe. But the thing is they can tell me if things get dangerously high. THEN I might freak out and go to the hospital. I had a stroke because I did not know.

I am getting a smartwatch that keeps a constant check too. Better safe than sorry!

[chris47]

My blood pressure is always high when it is taken at the doctors surgery, even on medication. I bought a bp monitor but my doctor says take it once a month no more. Now when i am due to go to the doctors surgery they ask me to take my blood pressure 3 times a day for 7 days so they can check what the readings are like at home.