Blood Pressure...

[Bubbsie]

slightly raised this morning...stopped taking Ramipril for blood pressure roughly three weeks ago with GP's agreement...monitoring BP at home...within normal range since...average is/or has been 127/78...first time BP been raised at first reading...alarm indicated just above normal...don't want to start taking meds again...peed off might be on the rise again...or possibly slightly wound up about appointments tomorrow...one with the DSN at surgery (first time to discuss diabetes with health care professional one to one)...second with anti-coagulation clinic(just cannot get those warfarin levels right)...what to do...wait or ?

 

[Northerner]

If you're a bit stressed then I wouldn't worry about a few slightly elevated levels, only if it seems to become the norm over an extended period of time. I've experienced something similar recently - normally I'm around 110/70 but over the past week or so it's been around 140/80. Possibly due to lack of sleep lately, and various stresses, but hopefully things will settle back down again soon.

Hope your appointments go well and that the BP settles again soon for you 🙂

 

[Bubbsie]

If you're a bit stressed then I wouldn't worry about a few slightly elevated levels, only if it seems to become the norm over an extended period of time. I've experienced something similar recently - normally I'm around 110/70 but over the past week or so it's been around 140/80. Possibly due to lack of sleep lately, and various stresses, but hopefully things will settle back down again soon.

Hope your appointments go well and that the BP settles again soon for you 🙂

Hoping so Northerner...so pleased with myself for getting BP down...stopping the meds...not going to panic over one/two high readings...will wait until appointments done...test again...thanks.

 

[Pumper_Sue]

A one off reading is no need to panic 🙂 You need to do 3 or 4 a day over a few days or a week and then average them out.
Can I swop you BP numbers for mine 90/60 and dropping when I stand up?

 

[Bubbsie]

A one off reading is no need to panic 🙂 You need to do 3 or 4 a day over a few days or a week and then average them out.
Can I swop you BP numbers for mine 90/60 and dropping when I stand up?

Yes you're right Sue...will take your advice and monitor it over the next few days...just had such a battle with GP...who when I first started the meds said 'here take these...you do know you'll be on them for life'...he has such a fatalistic approach...probably the thought of my impending appointments tomorrow...and on a selfish note I won't swop my numbers with you...but...thank you for the offer🙂 and the sage advice.

 

[grovesy]

Stress does not help.

 

[Bubbsie]

Stress does not help.

Trying to avoid that grovesy...difficult...just the thought of appointments at my surgery seems enough to send me into a state of anxiety...ironic or what?

 

[New-journey]

..or possibly slightly wound up about appointments tomorrow...one with the DSN at surgery (first time to discuss diabetes with health care professional one to one)...second with anti-coagulation clinic(just cannot get those warfarin levels right)...what to do...wait or ?

It looks like you have been given excellent advice and just want to send all my support to you for tomorrow's appointments. I hope today isn't too stressful whilst you wait.

 

[Bubbsie]

It looks like you have been given excellent advice and just want to send all my support to you for tomorrow's appointments. I hope today isn't too stressful whilst you wait.

Thanks NJ...yes good advice...frustrates me I still get 'wound up' about appointments...should be used to that by now...taking Harry for long walkies...paperwork...then may be on the digestives later (might marinade them in Gin first though)..🙂

 

[mikeyB]

Yes, Bubbsie, don't worry about one reading. If your averages have been fine, you've got no worries. Even normals get the odd few high readings before appointments. It's called the white coat effect, and it's the reason why a lot of people are on blood pressure tablets when they don't need to be.

 

[Bubbsie]

Yes, Bubbsie, don't worry about one reading. If your averages have been fine, you've got no worries. Even normals get the odd few high readings before appointments. It's called the white coat effect, and it's the reason why a lot of people are on blood pressure tablets when they don't need to be.

Precisely Mike...that's why I do my own BP and GP is happy to accept that...just peed off its been up a couple of times...should be settling down to these appointments by now...don't get this when go to Hospital...just always feel dismayed about appointments at local surgery and GP...who has been a 'challenge' thus far.

 

[Manda1]

I feel the same when it comes to appointments too always stressed always elevated bp. The nurse said I was borderline and to check them myself and they are always lower when I do x
I think you have done so well coming off the bp pills x try not to worry its probs a blip x just keep testing x

 

[Vicsetter]

Something I found recently is that you should measure your blood pressure on both arms, Your dominant arm is usually the higher and a difference of more than 10 could indicate a vascular problem. Did you repeat the reading? Did you eat or drink before your reading? Do you sit and rest a while before taking a reading?
Certainly one slightly elevated reading is no cause for panic.

 

[AndBreathe]

Precisely Mike...that's why I do my own BP and GP is happy to accept that...just peed off its been up a couple of times...should be settling down to these appointments by now...don't get this when go to Hospital...just always feel dismayed about appointments at local surgery and GP...who has been a 'challenge' thus far.

Bubbsie, BP changes all the time during the day, a bit like glucose levels, and can be influenced by a similar array of factors. I also have dreadful white coat syndrome and indeed at my Endo appointment a couple of weeks ago, the initial reading was my second most stratospheric ever; only beaten by on the ward, pre-surgery a year or so ago. The anaesthetist's assessment was that the sooner I went to sleep the better as he would control in under anaesthesia, then it would likely right itself, which it did. Similarly after my Endo appointment, on arrival home, via M&S Food Hall, I was back to my normal range where it has stayed.

For those of us with white coat syndrome or BP anxiety, a higher reading will almost perpetuate itself as our concern rises as we test again, and again.

That's my read on it. I don't take BP meds, and never have. The Endo was supremely unconcerned by my in-clinic reading, as he could see my GP records which verified what I was saying.

I hope it settles for you.

 

[Lindarose]

Good luck tomorrow Bubbsie. There's no doubt stress plays a big part in BP readings. Mine is always elevated at surgery but if anything on the low side at home. Maybe don't test for awhile. As AndBreathe says it can set up a problem causing false high readings.

 

[Bubbsie]

Bubbsie, BP changes all the time during the day, a bit like glucose levels, and can be influenced by a similar array of factors. I also have dreadful white coat syndrome and indeed at my Endo appointment a couple of weeks ago, the initial reading was my second most stratospheric ever; only beaten by on the ward, pre-surgery a year or so ago. The anaesthetist's assessment was that the sooner I went to sleep the bettser as he would control in under anaesthesia, then it would likely right itself, which it did. Similarly after my Endo appointment, on arrival home, via M&S Food Hall, I was back to my normal range where it has stayed.

For those of us with white coat syndrome or BP anxiety, a higher reading will almost perpetuate itself as our concern rises as we test again, and again.

That's my read on it. I don't take BP meds, and never have. The Endo was supremely unconcerned by my in-clinic reading, as he could see my GP records which verified what I was saying.

I hope it settles for you.

Thanks AndBreathe...you are absolutely right...just frustrating it happens...needed to have a whinge I think...good god...not as if I am having surgery or some kind of invasive treatment...sure it will settle down after tomorrow...won't test until well after...thank you.

 

[Bubbsie]

Good luck tomorrow Bubbsie. There's no doubt stress plays a big part in BP readings. Mine is always elevated at surgery but if anything on the low side at home. Maybe don't test for awhile. As AndBreathe says it can set up a problem causing false high readings.

Got my baby face on Linda...really need to be more grown up about these appointments...and needed a good whinge...done now...I am sure it will settle after tomorrow...thank you.

 

[Bubbsie]

Something I found recently is that you should measure your blood pressure on both arms, Your dominant arm is usually the higher and a difference of more than 10 could indicate a vascular problem. Did you repeat the reading? Did you eat or drink before your reading? Do you sit and rest a while before taking a reading?
Certainly one slightly elevated reading is no cause for panic.

Didn't do any of those things Vicsetter...just get totally wound up before appointments...not going to take BP until appointments finished tomorrow...and will certainly try my non-dominant arm...thank you.

 

[Bubbsie]

I feel the same when it comes to appointments too always stressed always elevated bp. The nurse said I was borderline and to check them myself and they are always lower when I do x
I think you have done so well coming off the bp pills x try not to worry its probs a blip x just keep testing x

]

Thanks Manda.

 

[SB2015]

Thanks AndBreathe...you are absolutely right...just frustrating it happens...needed to have a whinge I think...good god...not as if I am having surgery or some kind of invasive treatment...sure it will settle down after tomorrow...won't test until well after...thank you.

I hope it goes well tomorrow. Stress certainly does not help, but that does not make it any easier. (Just had my appointment at surgery, blubbed and then we didn't bother with BP!!) I like your strategy of testing the BP after the appointment tomorrow. Having the machine at home can give you a much better view of things. Let us know how you get on.