blood pressure - why does it vary each time

[evedawn]

i am doing an HCA course and dsicovered during a practical day that if someone has readings done in quick succession the reading each time tend to go up a little. Anyone know why this is so? It wasn't like the "patietns" were nervous cos we were practicing on eachother.

[Eve]

It depends on the monitor you were using as to how accurate it is as they can be affected by things like movement.

Were you drinking any coffee or other caffine during as it's a stimulant and could affect the readings.

[bob57]

this is a problem with lorry/bus drivers when they go for a medical to renew their licence every 5 years after they reach 45
the first reading is usually high because of they are tense when going for medical that is why they get 2 readings if it doesnt go down within a certain time period of say 15 mins then there is a question mark on the chances of getting the licence renewed
so it just boils down to the way the person reacts to the blood pressure test

[sqad617]

BP changes throughout the day and oddly enough it is often at it's highest in the morning. Other reasons have been highlighted by jenna and bob.When one is prescribed tablets to lower a raised BP it is advisable that readings are taken at least 3times a dau for a period of at least a month to evaluate the correct dosage. This can easily be done by the patient with a potable BP machine.

[sqad617]

"Potable?".......only if you are a snooker player...sorry PORTABLE.

[mandimoo]

someone i know says they have been told they are 'white coat hypertensive' which means that when they go to the doc their blood pressure raises just from being there. similar to previous post about the lorry drivers.