Blood Pressure

[coccinelle]

I posted last week about a high blood pressure reading (220/110) with my doctor who advised me to buy a BP monitor to keep an eye on it. I did this and have seen my blood pressure come down each time. It takes 3 readings and gives the average at the end. The third reading is always the lowest.
Thursday and Friday my readings were around the 145/90 mark today, a weekend so more relaxed it's 125/80 that's both this morning and this afternnon. is this normal that your BP can fluctuate like this? I'm not due to go back to the doctor before Monday so would like your advice on this.

[Sqad]

Yepp.....that is much better.......well played.
Now, the doctor will have to decide whether to start you on low dose hypotensive agents e.g betablockers due to the 145/90 readings OR take the normal 125/80 reading and leave you off tablets.

I know what i would do..........but it is his decision (thank goodness)

[coccinelle]

Hi sqad, thank you. But is this normal that I can have high pressure one day then normal the next? Hopefully, i can get my BP down during the week too.

[Sqad]

It is not "abnormal" but yes, BP can vary from day to day due to stress etc.
However, remember that 220/110 reading that you posted about....THAT is not due solely to stress.

IF I was your medical adviser.....;-)........I would not trust you and your BP and would put you on a small daily dose of a beta blocker.

Let's see what your doctor feels about it.

[Khandro]

I have said it before on other threads, and can't emphasise it enough; cut out as much salt from your diet as you possibly can, certainly do not add it from a salt-shaker to your meal on the table, and use as little as possible in cooking, and even then use 'Lo-Salt' and the like. You will quickly get used to it and not miss the loss. Also processed foods are mostly always high in fat, salt and sugar.

[LazyGun]

@Coccinelle - I am getting confused now with another post perhaps - was that 220/110 bp originally extrapolated from a result of 22/10 or something?

And yes, bp can fluctuate massively, depending on all sorts of things. Sqads advice sounds eminently sensible, based upon the results you have had...

[coccinelle]

Yes, lazy gun. It was that thread. In France they knock the last 0 off so the reading was 220/100. I am rather an anxious person so can feel very stressed up for quite minor things really. There's always this feeling of not being able to cope. However, on a weekend as I have no appointments and just myself to see to I can relax and this is why i think the readings are low today. I'll see what they're like on Monday...
Khandro: I eat very little salt as I make my own meals and sauces etc I don't have a salt cellar on the table (guests always have to ask me for it!), I eat low fat and don't like sweet things apart from a couple of squares of dark chocolate. As I put on my first thread I've got a healthy diet, I'm active apart from the glasses of wine which I've reduced this last week.
Sqad; why can't you trust me and my BP? I am telling the truth through this monitor which is a Omron M10-IT and was recommended.

[Sqad]

coccinelle...........don't take my comment so seriously....it was tongue in cheek.

[Hymie]

220/110 is a very high systolic reading, but as others have said, BP can vary greatly in an individual for many reasons. This one high reading (220) may have been largely due to your anxiety at having your BP taken.
When you see your GP on Monday, try to be as relaxed as possible when your BP is measured (arrive at the surgery in plenty of time – unrushed).

Prior to deciding to place me on BP medication, my GP arranged for me to wear an automatic BP monitor for 24hrs which took regular BP reading over the day and stored the results – allowing my GP to make an informed decision.

My BP was typically 150/100, which my GP decided was sufficiently elevated to require BP medication. My BP is now typically 120/80.

[coccinelle]

Yes, you see Hymie, if I were wearing this automatic BP monitor for a day during the week I'd probably have a higher reading than at the weekend. I think it should be monitored over a couple of weeks before a decision can be made.

[Hymie]

As an alternative to BP medication – I suggested to my GP that a permanent vacation to sunnier climes might have the desired effect on my BP.

Apparently such treatment is not available on the NHS.

[coccinelle]

LOL Hymie. I suppose I could just buy myself a little bungalow with a tiny garden and not work but I think then I'd need medication for boredom....

[islasmum]

Your blood pressure can rise merely by walking into your GP's surgery if you are worried about this - my BP has always been higher at any clinic I go to, rather than testing at home. One of the consultants I see suggested that my GP lent me a BP meter to wear for 24 hours, to check this out - unfortunately my doctor's practice does not do this so I bought my own BP meter (about £20 in Boots - with the arm cuff you put on your arm - not the ones you wear on your wrist as apparently they are not so accurate) and every day at the same time, measured my own BP two or three times to get an average, took a photo on my phone and reported back to the doctor. This has helped to sort things out for me, I'm now on the correct amount of medication and have nearly perfect BP all the time.

[voulezvous]

My BP is always higher in the docs surgery........he calls it "white coat syndrome".

I now take it myself and have better results!