high blood pressure

[paul 1]

noticed that my heart was beating faster went to docs and was told i have high blood pressure. did not put me on any drugs but was to go back and have a blood test and take it from there. should i be concerned about this and if yes whats the answer. thanks

[Ethel]

One reading is nothing to be worried about - we all have the occasional high reading caused my many different factors, none of which is out of the ordinary.

You should be monitored over a period of time, assuming your blood tests come back 'normal'. If you do have consistent high blood pressure you will need to lose weight, exercise more, eat healthily and cut down on salt.
You may have to take medication as well.

Have a read here, which gives excellent advice:
http://www.patient.co.uk/showdoc/23068761/

In the meantime, forget about it. It is pointless worrying over one 'bad' reading - and will only cause your blood pressure to rise. :) Have the tests before you start to worry.

[ethandron]

if it is a fasting blood test, chances are they're looking for, amongst other things, cholesterol. high cholesterol, combined with high blood pressure, can lead to stokes and heart attack.
Ethel has given good advice. one high reading doesn't mean anything. the important thing is that it's monitored over a period of time to make sure it was just a one-off.
and if it isn't a one-off, it's better to know about these things and do something about them, than to carry on oblivious and suffer the consequences.
best of luck.

[paul 1]

thanks 4 your help. i have also noticed that sometimes i cannot sleep that well and also i feel hot at times, is this feeling hot one of the signs of high blood pressure and should i act on it now or wait until i go back 2 the docs?

[Ethel]

Feeling hot is not usually a symptom of high blood pressure.

Unless you need to change bad habits because you are obese, alcohol dependent or don't get any exercise, you need do nothing until you have seen the GP.

Do you get nosebleeds, by any chance?

[ashlan]

It could be you are suffering from 'white coat syndrome'
ie nervousness at the doctors, which tends to put up your blood pressure. Most GPs like to take several readings before prescribing drugs

[paul 1]

i am not obese and do not get nose bleeds. it seems from the answers that i'm just worrying about this and just wait until the doc has carried out the tests..

i just can't get it out of my head and i can feel my heart beating and working harder than before?

[Ethel]

Feeling your heart beating is called palpitations - everybody gets this from time to time - it is stress related.

Your heart is not beating any differently, but you are more aware of it because you are stressed and worried - your receptors have kicked in.

You are in a vicious circle - the worry is aggravating the symptoms making you worry more which makes the symptoms worse and on and on.

Try and relax. And stop fretting.

[paul 1]

thanks Ethel. your answers have helped. i will try and relax. are you in the medical profession or have you gone through a simliar situation?

[andrewdonc]

I've been in a similar situation.I'm 35yo-and my BP has been up(and down) for 5-6 years.I am a little overweight though.Right at the start I had bloods taken/a chest xray and an ECG at my GP's.These all came back OK.I do have 'Ectopics' though-my heart seems to miss a beat sometimes,and the next beat seems 'heavier'-my GP said this is harmless.There is something called 'Cardiac Neurosis' where person is very worried about heart etc-often needlessly.I have anxiety and used to lie in bed at night listening to my heartbeat,thinking there was something seriously wrong.Try and calm down-discussing it all with sympathetic GP should help.I don't receive any treatment-but have to be monitored at GP's.I do take Garlic and Omega fish oil supps though.Take care.

[wired]

Hi Paul, join the clan, yes it is quite alarming at first. I have regular check ups now at my GP's and the hospital.
According to my specialist there is nothing physically wrong( nor is it ALL mental) mine is due to work related stress, didn't realise I was stressing until this happened.
I have found that cutting out red wine and fresh coffee has helped a lot,sadly. Good luck, wired

[matty2670]

Hi.
Having had no problems with high blood pressure until recently, I was concerned like you. I am on medication, which will probably be a long term if not permanent situation, but as my GP pointed out - it's better to know you've got high blood pressure and control it with one tablet a day, rather than never know and suddenly have unexpected health problems in the future. At least I know for certain that my blood pressure is OK thanks to that little tablet in the morning! Take care, and all the best.