blood pressure

[jjaammeess]

Hi I was at the doctor and he took my blood pressure.It was on the high normal side--150/89.When i got home I took it myself from 3 different blood pressure measurers.They were all around 125/80because i was more relaxed.He is going to put me on tablets.What should I do.Take them or leave them.Answers appreciated---James

[redcrx]

if youre sure it was just nerves then refuse the tablets until after you have been put on a 24 / 48 hour monitor!

[cazzz1975]

They call it white coat syndrome, its best to let the doctor know this, your bp probably goes up when you are stressed naturally.

[daffy654]

Can I just ask why you have 3 different blood pressure monitors in your home,it seems a little excessive!

[bigmamma]

Lol daffy , hope jjaammeess meant 3 different readings and not monitors

[IggyB]

electronic bp monitors are not as accurate as the manually operated ones - this may account for the difference to some extent as most home ones are electric...

I've been trying to get my BP down (160/116 when i first got checked!!!!) so can relate to your worry - my docs advised me to monitor regularly for a month and a different times... this did show that my BP went up or down depending on the time of day, but he wouldn't put me on pills until at least a months checks had been done e.g. if you were on those pills and your bp was only 125/80 at some points then they would cause low bloop pressure and you'd tend to faint and feel ill because of them

[bimbo123456]

I had my blood pressure taken by the nurse. Because she was chatting to me (supposedly) it showed a figure of ????/94. when she took it again without me talking it was ????/84. One high, one OK. I think the whole thing with blood pressure is to try and modify your diet and learn to keep calm. Good luck jjaammeess

[sqad617]

Do not take your BP lowering tablets until you have monitored your BP morning and evening for 2 weeks. Take the results back to your doctor. All the above answers I entirely agree with.

[jjaammeess]

hi Thanks for all the answers.The reason I have 3 monitors is to get consistent answers.I borrowed one which you pump up and I have a wrist one which is the least accurate. The third one is an arm electric(battery) one and a good make
There is a bit of reluctance from your answers to start taking tablets and to montor it for a week or two
I was able to get my blood pressure down to 116/76 jus by relaxing.
Has anybody any idea which BP you take as the right one
It is so important to get this right because if there is any history in the family of circulatory prooblems you can take the right life saving action ----James

[ethandron]

buy yourself a new blood pressure monitor, take your blood pressure a couple of times a day for 2 weeks and make a note of the time and measurement, make an appointment to see your doctor and take the monitor and your results with you. the doctor can then check the monitor against his own results to make sure it's accurate.
i believe they need to monitor your blood pressure a few times before they put you on tablets. i would go along with what your doctor recommends. it is far better to take blood pressure medication if you need to, than do without and risk the consequences.
i too suffer from 'white coat syndrome', and take blood pressure medication. my home monitor has reassured me. my doctor still takes my blood pressure when i go and see her, but takes more notice of my own results.

[jjaammeess]

Thanks for that ethandron.I will take your advice---James

[Velvetee]

Sounds like you have "White Coat Syndrome", meaning whenever a doctor, nurse or anyone else takes your reading, your pressure immediately rises through anxiety. This is something which is recognised by the medical profession.

[foodluva]

James I'm a nurse. It's extremely possible that you may have experienced white coat syndrome (I've had it myself). Your reading wasn't excessively high but borderline normal/high. Your doctor should not be prescribing tablets based on an isolated reading but should instead be arranging for you to have regular checks to establish if this reading is your normal, I have to say that most shop bought blood pressure monitors are useless. The most accurate way to measure BP is using an old fashioned stethoscope and BP guage (the kind used by nurses and doctors). Ask your doctor to arrange further checks before you agree to tablets. Good luck!

[jjaammeess]

hi Thanks foodluva. I bought a A and D monitor which i thought was quite reliable.Are u saying that it is not really good to take ur own BP at home.I though it would be a good place because you would be most relaxed here
James