Is This In The Normal Range....

[nailit]

Or should I see the Doc?

Booked in for a telephone appointment with a lung nurse, who will then assess whether any further investigation is needed.
(Its a free, over 55's consultation for smokers & ex-smokers)

I was asked to get my weight and, if possible, blood pressure beforehand.
Got my sister today to do BP.

It read
158/93 sitting down with heartbeat of 91
158/93 standing with heartbeat of 100

It seems a little high to me (both BP & Heartbeat) but I know theres still a safe range to be in...just dont know what it is!

6ft tall
17 stone
ex-smoker (Though constantly chewing on nicotine gum)

Thanks in advance.

[Sqad]

I am not sure that I can add further to the above posts and Internet links and not sure if my comments would hold much water.
But here goes:

All those readings BP and pulse rate are unacceptable by whatever criteria you wish to follow..

The first step is to see your GP who will either accept those readings and provide tablets to rectify the readings or in my opinion, a better approach would be to fit you with a aBP halter for 24 hours to see if these readings are a one off or if they are a true reflection of your cardiovascular status.

If they are permanent you will need further investigation such as blood tests and an ECG....

I hope that is clear.

[nailit]

//can you take it 3 times a day for a week? //
Unfortunety no bednobs.
I used to have a BP machine of my own but it gave up the ghost.
Have taken it with a friend who has a BP machine a fortnight ago and the readings were very similar.
Just a few point difference in BP but this one didnt have a heartbeat measure.

[bednobs]

you can check your own pulse with a watch or clock

[nailit]

//All those readings BP and pulse rate are unacceptable by whatever criteria you wish to follow.//

//The first step is to see your GP//

Thanks Sqad.

[nailit]

//you can check your own pulse with a watch or clock //
lol yes,
Sometimes forget on how reliable on tech that weve become that we cant count.....

[Buenchico]

My GP asks for patients to take their blood pressure on a Monday morning and then to repeat the reading just one minute later, with that 'two readings' method being repeated on each Monday morning, Monday evening, Friday morning and Friday evening for a four week period.

Here's the first bit of the last set of readings that I sent to him:
https://ibb.co/NTrT1YP
You'll see that there are some very high readings in there but the majority have a 'normal' diastolic figure (of around 80) and a 'not wildly high' systolic figure (in the 130s or 140s). My GP seemed happy enough with those and found no reason to change my medication.

So it's overall patterns that GPs really like to know about, rather than specific figures at any particular moment.

[Patsy33]

Not good, Nailit. Please try and see your GP.

[Hopkirk]

The very fact that you took some pressure readings standing up suggests that you and your sister don't know how to take it properly.

You need to be really relaxed and rested, sitting down, with your arm supported level with your heart.

I suspect that the nurse will want to take her own readings, if covid restrictions allow.

[barry1010]

My GP always takes my BP both seated and standing. I'll ask him why next time

[Buenchico]

^^^ The term 'postural hypotension' came into my mind upon reading your post, Barry, (mainly because I had some short-term problems with it after my kidneys nearly shut down a few years ago):
https://www.wsh.nhs.uk/CMS-Documents/Patient-leaflets/MedicineandElderlyServices/6524-1-Postural-hypotension.pdf

[barry1010]

That could be it, Buen.

[Hopkirk]

Maybe I'm the one with insufficient knowledgeable. I'll retire quietly and sit in the corner.

[pixie374]

I agree with Chris. It's not critical enough to rush to A&E, but every GP surgery here, would ask you to take 2 readings, twice a day for 4 days. Record the "best" of the two each time. With date, time, reading, pulse... and you can just hand it in at reception. They will either ask to check you and take it themselves, or leave a script for you to pick up.
If possible... now you are used to gum, I would alternate the nicotine one with normal. It's a strong stimulant, and won't be helping your BP and pulse. Also, caffeine.

[naomi24]

Speak to your GP asap, nailit. Our surgery asks you to take blood pressure readings twice a day for a week - and they loan the monitor - although they’re not that expensive to buy.

[pixie374]

There may also be one at your local pharmacy, or GP reception, although I get that isn't very convenient. It may be worth buying one, because you will want to keep an eye on it for a while, treatment or not.

[Mamyalynne]

When you give the Nurse your initial readings at your booked telephone appointment that will kickstart what happens next.

[nailit]

Thanks all for additional replies.
Previously had comments about how Im *only* a van driver.
Missed out that I spend my days humping & dumping 15 - 25 kg trays off and on a van all morning. And then in a warehouse all afternoon.

Thanks again for all replies.
Its the heartbeat that bothers me the most.
App is for next Monday,
Sort it out then,
Thanks for replies guys!

[Hopkirk]

Good luck.

I take a small blood pressure tablet every day with my first cuppa. Easy.

As you say, the fast heartbeat is a bit of a worry.

[Buenchico]

A heart rate of 91 bpm is within the 'normal' range. For it to be classed as 'tachycardia', it needs to be above 100 bpm:
https://www.bhf.org.uk/informationsupport/heart-matters-magazine/medical/ask-the-experts/pulse-rate

As long as it's not wildly high or low, heart rate isn't seen as a measure of fitness. What would be far more important if, say, you were a professional athlete, would be the time it took for your heartbeat to settle back to its normal level after vigorous exercise.

For example, if you (or I) run a 100 metre race, flat out, it might take several minutes to get back to a 'normal' heartbeat. A healthy young child's heartbeat might reach its normal level after 30 seconds. A top class athlete's heartbeat might normalise after no more than 10 seconds.

Your hypertension (high blood pressure) is far more worrying than your (totally non-existent) tachycardia.