Another Blood Pressure Thread, sorry

[SusanL]

I searched and read the blood pressure threads as well as searched on the internet. I went to the rheumatologist(sp?) today and he said that my 130/90 was too high. He wants me to monitor my bp every day. I know I need to lose 15 lb but I was extremely nervous when I went into his office after not seeing him for 3 years. He felt that I am a candidate for cardiac problems since high blood pressure runs in my family. Ack! I am now more stressed out since I went to see him. Besides losing weight, any suggestions, I truly believe that my bp was higher because of nervousness. TIA.

[Meganator]

I searched and read the blood pressure threads as well as searched on the internet. I went to the rheumatologist(sp?) today and he said that my 130/90 was too high. He wants me to monitor my bp every day. I know I need to lose 15 lb but I was extremely nervous when I went into his office after not seeing him for 3 years. He felt that I am a candidate for cardiac problems since high blood pressure runs in my family. Ack! I am now more stressed out since I went to see him. Besides losing weight, any suggestions, I truly believe that my bp was higher because of nervousness. TIA.

I think it is important to have a "relaxed state" BP measurement...I know that mine seems relatively high sometimes just as a result of being annoyed at having to wait too long at the doctor's office, and people who are nervous about being at the office in the first place will have it reflected in their BP. I'm not actually sure how you go about this...the BP machines at the pharmacy are not always reliable, as I understand it, so I don't know what you do. But my point is you need an equilibrium BP measurement to see where you really stand.

Others here with BP issues will have some good advice on how to lower it; I believe losing weight has a big effect, but it doesn't sound like you are way overweight...

[Valerie226]

Officially it's called 'white coat hypertension", people whose BP zooms from stress at the medical office. Find someone who can take it for you outside of that environment, like a nurse friend or maybe a fire station. I've been told they're happy to do BP providing they aren't busy with a fire or something. the automatic cuffs in pharmacies are notoriously inaccurate. You could buy a cuff and take your own at "normal" more relaxed times. Record values with date & time so you have a record in case your doc wants to put you on meds based on in-offfice readings. Finger cuffs and wrist cuffs don't have a very good record but the automatic cuffs that go on your arm are decent. Make sure you read directions & use it correctly, and take it in to the doctors office to check for accuracy when you go for reg appt.

DASH diet ( dietary approaches to stop hypertension)
regular exercise
weight loss
salt restriction, maybe, if you're a salt sensitive person
You probably don't smoke but if you do, quit.
Stress management techniques


Mostly you need to determine if you really are hypertensive first.

[dreamer]

Susan,
I do understand how you feel! I wish doctors were more attentive to the emotional consequences of their comments. Here are some (unscientific, unverified!) observations I've made. First, being nervous can really affect it a lot. Doctors should be aware/sensitive to this. I don't want a Dr. to make me nervous, then try to tell me I should be on meds. I think they should wait till they have a number of measurements over different situations and a period of time before deciding this. Second, don't know your age (perimenopausal?), but I think hormones can affect it a lot, make it fluctutate. Third, Ive learned a few things from doctors & nurses about bp, such as- Not only can nervousness affect BP, but having a full bladder can. I always empty my bladder before going in for my physical now!
I hope you have a doctor you can talk with, and that all possible approaches are discussed, so that if you eventually decide on meds, you'll feel it's really right. You deserve to feel comfortable with whatever you do. I know that doctors have adopted a much lower number to get concerned about re: bp, but personally, I know all meds have effects and known & unknown side effects (witness recent news stories), so I still think prudence should be the first order of business.
-dreamer

[leebee]

I really have a "white coat anxiety" problem, and my BP goes WAY up whenever I'm in the dr's office. I bought a relatively inexpensive monitor and had it calibrated to my dr's office. I dropped it off, then picked it up and then knew how many points it was off. Then, as I monitored myself, I could adjust the readings to match theirs. I had it recalibrated every few months, and it's really helped to give me an idea of where I am. My normal BP is not high, but I do notice patterns and have worked hardest on stress-reduction and regular exercise.

[funnybone]

Officially it's called 'white coat hypertension", people whose BP zooms from stress at the medical office.

Like leebee, my dad suffers from that and uses a home BP monitor (the wrist kind) regulary. His stores 100 readings in it, and he takes it with him to the Dr. His and the one in the Dr's office are not too far apart in readings. One thing my dad noticed was then when he drank a glass of red wine, his BP was at the lowest point. :D

[SusanL]

I truly believe it was stress related. As I was leaving, the nurse is a parent of former students I had. She whispered that my bp was not that high. She said I looked great for my age, 51. Just relax, and when I return in 5 weeks, it should be better. She made me feel a bit better but I am over anxious now. I really didn't think that it was that bad but he made me upset. He said that being a teacher I should know how important my bp is, with a family with heart issues. I also have to go for a complete bone density test, lots of blood work up, and a few other tests. At least he was happy that I take an agressive walk an hour a day, that was my only saving grace with him. But in his defense, I feel that he is very gentle when he deals with my arthritic hand. I keep telling myself that he is looking after me with the best intensions. When I told my neighbor he said I was overweight, she laughed. But if the 15 lb is what I need to lose, I will start tomorrow. Today is our anniversary, we are going out for dinner :D Guess I will need to drink a glass of wine BEFORE I go to my next appt. ;)

[tbb113]

Susan - when my BP has been higher than usual, they will usually do a couple of readings while I'm in the office and the last one is usually much lower. You might ask them to repeat it a few times during the visit to see if it fluctuates.

[SusanMac]

A few years ago we purchased a home BP monitor, and think it's really a good investment, mainly for peace of mind. There are a few brands on the market, with varying reliability. We read several reviews & sources, including Consumer Reports, before purchasing. Don't remember the brand off-hand, but turns out it's the same brand that my Dr. uses when I go in for my annual. They cost around $60.

[wallycat]

I am with you on this one...I have, since I hit my 40's, HORRIBLE white-coat hypertension. Mine is so bad that I've actually ASKED for BP meds but my doc won't give them to me. I've monitored my BP at home and it is normal to low which is one reason she won't Rx it (she doesn't want me passing out at home :o ).

The theory with WCH (white coat hypertension) is that people who respond with such high BPs in various settings must be set off throughout the day as well, which means the BP is higher than is good for you more often then we think.

I'm still working on this (gosh, went to get my teeth cleaned last month and you'd think I was going in for childbirth :eek: :D ) and found that deep breathing is about the best thing I can do. I have done the deep breathing while they take my pressure, which seems to get it low enough that they'll let me leave the office now :eek: :o .

If you've read the previous threads, there's no point repeating what you already know.
I still think mine is a combo of hormone change and just getting old and worrying they'll find something :p

[Kathy B]

Hi, Susan! I wouldn't get too upset. I am sure your doctor is one who just likes to address such things before they become bigger problems. I have never had an issue (yet) except one time when I was driving to my OB appt in winter and sent my car into a major spin on the icy interstate. :eek: No harm done, but 45 minutes later at the drs office, my BP was still much higher than normal for me! Stress can definitely do it!!!

A couple of thoughts.....do any of the drugstores or pharmacies in your area offer free BP's? I know the Walmart and Osco drugstores both have machines for public use around here. I am sure they must be calibrated fairly well to at least give you a number that is in the ball park or they wouldn't offer it. A lot of senior citizens use those regularly when I am in the stores, but I check mine now and then too, and they seem pretty on target. Might be a lower stress atmosphere than the drs office.

Also, when I do get mine taken, I usually do some deep breathing before and during the check. That will automatically make you relax somewhat, because it is very difficult to be tense and deep breathe at the same time. If you take several deep breaths and calm your mind before the check I'll bet your numbers would be better. Take a big deep breath as they tighten up the cuff, then let it out very slowly. Repeat.

Long term, if you need something to help with stress, I would highly recommend yoga. There are many forms you could try, and the benefits can be numerous. Some types are actually a good power workout, others geared more towards relaxation. You DO NOT have to be a gymnast to do it or to benefit from it. Most forms, however, stress proper breathing and some relaxation at the end. I only do it intermittently, but I have to say it is a great way to unwind at the end of a hectic day.

Anyway, that's my $.02. Good luck! :)

[SusanL]

I had a a tooth extracted on Monday, bp was 150/100, I totally freak out going to the dentist, going to the oral surgeon blew me away. Great oral surgeon and I am fine. I told the doctor today that my bp was that high on Monday, don't think he believes in WCS!! But having to go to two doctors in one week puts me over. I don't take meds but I need to start taking my vitamins. I am not worrying anymore about the bp, he said that if my bp doesn't lower in 5 weeks, I might need to take meds. ~ Maybe I need a new doctor. Will see what happens in 5 weeks.

[wallycat]

Usually the first course of meds they SHOULD try is a diuretic. Blood volume and all ...it's the gentlest med and works the best if there are no other outstanding issues.
Heck, some weeks I wish I had the diuretics :p

If your doc thinks it warrants meds, I say try them. THere is no law that says you have to stay on them. Maybe once the fear of going there and getting your bp checked gets under control, they'll take you off.
I would much rather be treating mine more aggressively...maybe I need to find a new doc :D Our arteries are our friends :p

[sneezles]

Susan
If you read all the other threads then you know that I was being treated for HBP, discovered at the dentist's, but was able to get off meds after losing weight and walking every day, at least most days. My BP is now 115/65 and I've been off meds for a year so it is doable. Sometimes we just need a scare to get us going in the right directions...ye old kick in the pants type thing! ;)
Susan

[Kay Henderson]

A high-quality home monitor (mine is LifeSource UA-767) will help you get a handle on whether you are developing a problem or not. It is also very helpful in determining what makes your blood pressure spike (high salt, lots of alcohol, stress, etc.) They are fast --testing and recording might take two minutes max. I suggest recording date, time of day, reading & any comments you want to make.

Kay

[peachykeen]

You may want to look into increasing the amount of potassium and calcium you consume, as they are helpful in lowering blood pressure. Also check the labels of the foods you eat. You may not use the salt shaker very much - but it's amazing how much sodium is in food. Exercise and losing weight will help.

I also have high blood pressure and was lucky enough to join a gym where they are willing to monitor my bp for me before and after each workout. That way I can keep track of it and show the doctor at my next visit.

I started out with one medicine, then he added a diuretic and then added a third. His theory was it's best to add small doses of different medicines, rather than increase the dosage of one - as side affects develop when you increase the dosage.

They eventually dropped the first one, as my heart rate was too low - it was a struggle to climb stairs - so how effective could I be at exercising? I find I can exercise longer and harder now and have no problem with the stairs. My ultimate goal is to get off both pills. It's kind of a catch-22. The gym couldn't design a hard exercise program because of the high blood pressure, so I went on meds to lower it so I could workout harder.

Good luck with it. A lot of people here helped me. There's lots of good advice to be had...