monitoring BP at home and it just gets higher and higher. I’m in such an anxious state now it seems pointless doing it? Anyone else?

[rosemary9122]

Been on Candesartan and Amlodipine for over a year. Had a few dizzy spells so saw gp wondered if it was the Amlodipine but now think I’ve got anxiety about having high BP. Checking it at home is just making both worse!

[tykesammy]

Hi, I know exactly how you feel, I too have high blood pressure, and quite often I get absolutely obsessed with keep taking my bp. I would rather say your dizzy spells are down to anxiety, altho we are all different I know. My problem is that I am intolerant to bp meds, which drives me even crazier than I already am. What readings are you getting, If that is too personal, don't worry. x

[Thingybob]

I am exactly the same . I am anxious about having high bp to the point that just putting the cuff on my arm I can feel my bp going up.! I am on 2 meds for it , ramipril and lercanidipine. The doc wants me to have another as my bp is really high when he takes it , but cant find one that i can tolerate.

I have stopped taking my bp at home as i think the stress it causes me is worse than not taking it.

If you find an answer let me know. All the best

[Happyrosie]

I’d like to make a suggestion to you Rosemary, regarding your anxiety about taking your bp at home.

Have you got someone you trust to help you? If you have, this is what I think could make things easier.

Sit down and put the cuff on and have a nice chat with your companion, Your companion has a pencil and paper ready.

After ten minutes, close the conversation, close your eyes and take three slow breaths, then get your companion to start the machine. NO TALKING. When it’s done it’s business, your companion writes down the result without telling you. Then you take it two more times and again the result is written down without you knowing the result.

Do this every day or so at roughly the same time for a few days.

Then allow your companion to show you the numbers. If I’m right, the numbers on the first couple of days will still be high but after a bit your body will have got used to the “ceremony” and your pressure will be a bit more normal.

I dont think it will hurt your anxiety to just try this out, and it might just work. Then YOU are in control of your bp and not IT in control of you.

[Madlegs1 in reply to Happyrosie]

That's a great suggestion.

I was going to say, to play a game-- experiment to see if you can affect the reading by mindfulness.

I can reduce the reading from 150s down to 120s just by consciously relaxing and slow breathing and guessing what number I can get it down to.

That way, it becomes a game rather than a big issue.

Another thing is --Rosemary-- are you using an upper arm cuff? Not a wrist or watch monitor. They can be notoriously untrustworthy.

I hope you can get over this issue and see it all in perspective!

Good luck.

[Happyrosie in reply to Madlegs1]

Madlegs what a splendid idea!

This is why I personally always discard the first reading. Always goes down by 5 ish usually 10 to 15.

[Will4Sport]

Hi, same for me. If I have a high reading then anxiety increases and so does my blood pressure! So I’ve started covering the screen during the readings until i’ve finished. And at this time in the year early mornings are dark so I take readings in the dark..

[Pedge]

I went through the same for almost a year after first discovering my BP was really high for no apparent obvious reason. Got myself in a right anxious state. I ended up getting an Aktiia device ( bracelet on wrist, calibrated with a cuff monthly) which solved my problem as I was unaware when the readings were being taken and then looking at the averages it was more acceptable than my twice daily cuff numbers. The only draw back is the £200 cost. Hope you solve it in whatever way works for you, and soon.

[Needtodo]

Hi, some really helpful advice re relaxation and not looking at result until after you’ve recorded the number of readings you intended to record. I take two different drugs to reduce my blood pressure, I take one at bedtime, the other at breakfast, it may help to do this.

I do hope you’ll soon find a solution.

[gouta]

Hi Rosemary, Have you tried listening to some music whilst taking your bp? I've noticed that if I play songs from past holidays it can be distracting and takes you back to having a good time. Perhaps "get in" to the music before putting the cuff on. The other trick is to study a picture or photo that you really like whilst undertaking the reading. Try not to make a big thing of taking your bp, think of it as a necessary chore more like brushing your teeth. Fingers crossed, Simon.

[philaustin]

I used to measure my BP twice a day because I wanted to keep it down. I've been on Amlodipine, 10mg, since 2009. I'm 74 and still take it, but don't care any more, and neither does the NHS.

Also take bendofluoromethiazide. 2.5mg.

[PecanSandie]

I have had this very same problem. It's tricky because you never really know if it's you being nervous or if your pressure really is that high. I think you really need to talk to your doctor about this. You might need to add another drug to the ones you are currently taking. I am taking 4 different medications to lower my BP and it finally seems to be mostly under control.

[Moneylover]

interesting about the Aktiia Device, had never heard of it. . Would be interested in what others think of it. But can it be as accurate as an upper arm cuff? I also have great anxiety problem. And I can almost judge the pressure from the time to inflate and tightness. I don’t really know of any good way round it. Perhaps talking it thru with GP and letting him judge is best. How much can anxiety really push up BP on a regular basis I wonder if you are following the measurement advice scrupulously? Does anyone know the average? Maybe the GP can allow for that? But if it is a minor difference that anxiety can make then I agree perhaps increasing or changing meds is the answer.