Blood pressure

[Gilly61]

Hi, can anyone advise me please?

Recently I’ve been worrying about leaving my dog while we go away on holiday. It gave me a constant headache so I decided to take my bp, I had it checked in May at the surgery & it was fine but when I checked it recently it was quite high first reading was 147/85 rather than leave I kept taking it & got more & more stressed so obviously my bp went extremely high one reading was 160/100 I went into a complete panic so my husband rang 111 & I was advised to go to a&e by an out of hour doctor. When I got to a&e all my bloods were fine my eyes were checked & my bp was 160/90 the dr was not at all concerned but he told to take 5mg of amplodine for 1 month then see my own gp.

My problem now is really don’t know if I should take it? I’ve had 4 normal reading of 127/83 & last week went away & no headache at all. I didn’t take the tablets due to the side effects, My reading was normal again this morning but I’m now working myself to take my bp again so I’m sure it will be high. My health anxiety over this is hitting the roof & im thinking about my bp constantly! I feel like I’m in a vicious circle. What do I do please can anyone advise me if they have been in my situation please?

Thanks Gill

[Bod88]

Gilly61

Health anxiety will certainly raise your blood pressure and give a false reading, just like visiting a GP for a blood pressure check can give a false reading known as white coat syndrome.

I can't advise you whether to take the 5mg amlodipine as I am not a GP. I would visit your GP asap as they probably won't have access to your A&E notes.

147/85 is marginally high and in my experience A&E will not be too concerned with 160/100. I have been twice when my blood pressure went over 250 and what they are checking for is any organ damage which thankfully here wasn't and they told me that they are only really concerned if you present with secondary symptoms such as chest pain, nose bleeds etc.

I would keep a blood pressure diary, twice daily (take 3 readings after sitting quietly for 10 minutes and disregard the first reading) and see what the trend is over a week.

Best of luck.

B

[Gilly61 in reply to Bod88]

Thank you so much for replying so quickly. Your experience makes me feel so much better & I plan to go back to my surgery on Monday & ask for advice.

Thanks again😀

[Hidden]

I remember how stressful it is when my blood pressure is too high. This usually means an adjustment in bp meds. But the anxiety over checking it can be so stressful once I went to emergency room because after taking it so many times it was up to 160/100. Dr. called in a new med. Every time you get a new bp med you’re supposed to monitor it make sure it’s working. I totally understand the stress of taking bp different times during the day. In fact my pulse was 92, from anxiety. Dr put me on lorazepam for anxiety. I would never take bp without helping myself relax and taking lorazepam. It really sucks until dr can get you on right meds. I take 4 different medications and lorazepam as needed. Wait until you are so relaxed, breathing deeply then take it. If you are in pain it can be elevated not to worry. Stay in touch with your doctor. Hope it helps, it was a very difficult time for me too. Here’s a hug, and take a deep breath…..peace

[Gilly61 in reply to Hidden]

Thanks for replying, I really need to stop reading side effects of every medication I’m prescribed because I convince myself I’ve got them all😩health anxiety is the worst feeling

Thanks

[1vern0n]

I'm sorry to hear about your BP issues but I know how important it is to correctly take your BP. Fasten the cuff on your left arm with enough room to put two fingers underneath, making sure that it is in line with your heart. Make sure both your feet are flat on the ground and your arm gently resting on a table with elbow bent. Try to relax and press the monitor. Hopefully this should help give an accurate reading. Also, I was told not to take my blood pressure immediately after eating chocolate. Good luck.

[Gilly61 in reply to 1vern0n]

Thank you your reply is really helpful. I’ve been taking my bp at night lying in bed😩so maybe that’s giving false readings

[etheral]

An isolated reading of 160/90 is certainly nothing to worry about. UUnless your BP is constantly over 140/90 personally I would be reluctant to take meds. Of course this is between you and your doc, and there ay be other mitigating factors.

[Gilly61 in reply to etheral]

Thank you

[cyberbarn]

As Ivern0n says, it is important to follow guidelines for taking your BP, especially the relaxing bit.

If you take your BP repeated it can have a physical effect on your arm and it can make it look like your blood pressure is really high. I had this happen at a GP surgery. the health care assistant wasn't following the proper procedure and kept taking it on the same arm without leaving a gap, and she got it up to 175. I was in pain in that upper arm for several days after that! I wasn't worried though as I had done my BP many times at home, and it usually around 120/70.

Another thing to remember is that these electronic machines aren't always accurate. They have algorithms in them that sometimes just make the numbers up.

So try not to worry. If you are getting lower readings at home, then everything is likely okay.

[Gilly61 in reply to cyberbarn]

I am guilty of constantly taking my bp at night & the more I take it the higher it goes.

I do believe the machines aren’t always accurate too

Thank you

[katieoxo60]

Hi there I have had high blood pressure since I was on the birth pill in my twenties. First thing is to calm down not easy when so many stresses befall us. I have had an average blood pressure of 159 over 88 for many years to spite taking tablets. I am 76 now and still have a similar average blood pressure. I would take the tablets suggested it might keep it a bit more steady, plus see your GP for on going treatment if you are concerned about it.

[Gilly61 in reply to katieoxo60]

Your reply has really calmed me down so thank you so much for replying. My reading this morning was 119/73 but this evening is back up really high! I will take the medication & go back to see my gp soon. Thank you

[katieoxo60 in reply to Gilly61]

Good news that it dropped every drop counts. But don't get complacent maybe you need better control from your Gp . Good luck with an appointment . xx