Blood Pressure

[DEN53]

My Dad is 82 at the end of this month - he had his pressure checked this week and it was 152/90 - it was the same last month and they want to check it again next month as the nurse at his GPs said it was high.

I personally don't think this is high, taking into consideration his age. He has his own monitor and its lower on that.

He recently had a lot of bloods done and all came back normal, even his cholesterol was normal.

What do you think ?

[Bobbisox]

Hi DEN, I hope Sqad come in to help with this, it does seem pretty normal though and very good for such an elderly person

[mike11111]

If he is diabetic then it is on the high side.

[DEN53]

No Mike, he is not diabetic.

Hi Joy. I don't think they take into account, you have literally just walked in the room, are chatting away, a bit of white coat syndrome, its hardly a resting blood pressure reading.....(:o)

[RATTER15]

This is a good guide for you, may help: http://www.vaughns-1-...ne/blood-pressure.htm

[Bobbisox]

yes DEN, I know what you mean by that

[wiltsman]

Maybe he has 'White Coat Syndrone'. This is when a person who has his or her blood pressure taken at the surgery or hospital, has a higher reading than they would when it's taken in their own home.

This might be the case with your father, especially as you say, when he takes it himself at home it's lower than when taken by the nurse at his GPs.

[Sqad]

Den......let us be sensible here.

Aged 82 years of age....normal bloods....150/90.....How more normal can you get?

Good on him and don't let them start him on BP tablets.

[DEN53]

Sqad - he has been taking blood pressure tabs for a number of years now - I think its Nifedipine but a low dose.

[Sqad]

den...OK...but blimey, he has cracked the system...aged 82 years of age....don't worry.

[DEN53]

the nurse said if its still the same reading next month, they will up his meds. I personally don't agree - I think that reading is 'normal' for my Dad.

[Sqad]

Den.....and so do I.

[mike11111]

I don't trust these modern electronic BP machines. Much prefer the old-fashioned sphyg when the Dr inflated the cuff with a rubber bulb.

[DEN53]

Thanks xx

[DEN53]

I agree Mike - the one my GP has looks knackered - my pressure is always high on that, yet when I went for my review with the practice nurse 4 weeks ago, she has the pump up type, my pressure was 120/80.....though I also have my own monitor - my pressure goes up and down more times that a tart's knickers, but on the whole it seems o.k.

[midagetrolop]

Allegedly, don't GP get so much remuneration for getting patients on BP tablets, Statins, Diabetic remedies!

[mike11111]

"up and down more times that a tart's knickers". I once used that expression to my mother. She was absolutely horrified!

[DEN53]

Did her pressure go up, Mike (:o)

[DEN53]

http://tinypic.com/m/el5kev/4

this was taken last summer when he was 81 - not bad for an oldie...(:o)

[redman41]

Nice photo DEN ! He looks well and good luck to him, and to you and your Family !

[DEN53]

Thank you Redman - its an uphill struggle at the moment, but one day at a time, me thinks.....(:o)