blood pressure phobia

[Brookside3]

hi all

Anyone on here have a phobia of actually taking blood pressure even at home!

I am on meds for blood pressure but truly believe it’s down to my fear of taking my BP.

Had blood tests done few months ago and actually got my reading down to 121/81 I thought I had cracked it.

Done my readings last few days and back up too 138/99 and I know why but can’t do anything about it.

My resting heart rate is normally 60 but whenever I take a reading it’s over 100.

I have tried relaxing and breathing exercises etc but doesn’t work

Very frustrating….anyone else the same with any tips

[Happyrosie]

yes, Brookside! You are not alone. It is a common problem.

Please look at the post from Lancashirelass a couple of days ago and the replies she received. She had a similar issue to yours.

When you’ve read and absorbed these hints, do come back here and ask any more questions you might have - we’re here to help.

.

[Brookside3 in reply to Happyrosie]

thank you will have a read through

[Brookside3]

thank you for the reply

[peter999999999]

dont do it if you get anxiety doing it you will never get a good reading,i only have to look at one pulse goes up so i never take it and dont let docs or nurses do it,its your body,saying that i dont go docs anymore if im not dying, it can ruin your day , worst thing anyone can do if you scared of it,

[Cats8019]

I truly thought I was the only one!! Thank you for writing in! I would always wait in fear knowing I would need my BP taken as part of my office visit. It's always been higher there than at home. I record my readings at home and bring them with me to the appointment. I'm like Peter, whose pulse goes up just looking at a blood pressure machine! It's crazy but no matter which doctor I'm seeing, if the BP is halfway decent (under 130/90), that will determine the rest of my day and I will feel so much better, so relieved, for the rest of the visit.

[peter999999999]

if mine was 160/90 every time i think it was perfect for me, well it was that for the last 20 years and im still here and no pills, no idea what it is as i dont do it, i can never rember my parents etc ever having it done if they did there was no pills for it so no anxiety from it, are we been conned to get it so low, do you feel better at 130/90 than 140/90 i bet u dont, if you never did it or worried about the numbers you would be fine, will u live longer with lower bp well who knows,i no you wont feel well like everyone one here with the side effects,do it naturally if u can before the pills do more damage to you,plus the stress of the bp machine,

[Brookside3 in reply to peter999999999]

Fair enough but obviously not everyone is the same 👍

[Happyrosie]

Brookside, there is even a name for this reaction, it’s called “white coat syndrome” in that if you see anyone in a white coat (in the UK all doctors used to wear a short white jacket over their dress trousers and shirt, along with the stethoscope) your blood pressure shoots up.

I used to have this syndrome but if I see a doc now (for my BP), not that I have done for a few years, I’ve already sat quiet in the waiting room and when he puts the cuff on my arm, my eyes are closed and I breathe quietly. He throws the first reading away if it’s high and then all is ok.

[gaelianbr22]

Hi Brookside3 I have this issue too like so many, my home readings are better that GP surgery or Hospital but still not good. The only answer for me is a 24 hour test my latest 24 hour test was average 123/82 so perfect especially given my age which is 63. I don't take any BP meds as they all cause unacceptable side effects for me causing quality of life compromises that I am not prepared to accept. It worked for me may be worth a try for you too. I have type 1 diabetes since childhood and have had open heart surgery because of congenital heart problems so when they see a high reading they try and force meds on me my 24 hour tests are my only defence. I have a theory (unproven) is that the reason for my side effects to medication for high BP is because I don't need it.

[onadiet]

Just don't worry and rest Ssurred that your results are not that bad at all

[84Feynman]

Very common it is called white coat syndrome. A wrist measurer might help, but you BP readings look rather good to me.