What Causes High Blood Pressure.?

[Barsel]

My GP keeps telling me I have high blood pressure.I say I haven't, I have white coat syndrome, so he has asked me to do a 24hr monitor next Wednesday/Thursday.The thing is, my daughter and granddaughter come to see me every Wednesday and I wondered whether the excitement of seeing them might raise my BP? I know that stress can cause high BP but wondered what else causes it. Many thanks.

[woofgang]

not a doc, but I would have thought that if a family visit causes your blood pressure to go so high that its a medical concern then you have a problem.

[Barsel]

woofgang, I don't know if my family visiting gives me high BP. I wanted to know if the excitement I feel when they are here can cause it.

[Barsel]

Don't think I explained it very well. Next Wednesday I will be having a BP monitor fitted for 24 hrs. My family come on a Wednesday but if the excitement of seeing them is likely to send my BP up, I will see if they can come on another day instead.

[Old_Geezer]

Narrowed arteries ?

[Mamyalynne]

For a temporary period excitement does raise your BP which is why they monitor it over a 24 hour period.

[Barsel]

Just looked at related questions so will have a look later as family have just arrived.

[gingejbee]

OG has it...commonly as you get older, your arteries narrow but have the same amount of blood going through them...so the pressure rises (same amount of blood in a smaller volume )

[Bazile]

The point of a 24 hr BP monitoring is to see what your pressure is throughout the period , going about your normal business .
In other words the measurement should not be done in a controlled situation .

if your Grand kids causes you to be a bit excited , then that's ok

[dannyk13]

Info here:-
http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Blood-pressure-(high)/Pages/Causes.aspx

[woofgang]

my comment stands. Yes excitement raises BP but if such a comparatively mild excitement raises your blood pressure to a point where its a medical concern, then you have a problem.

[Peter Pedant]

what iis this ?

I have normal blood pressure except when it isnt....

just tell the doctor you dont want to take his treatment and he will stop mithering you

[gingejbee]

^^^PP....the doctor hasn't offered any treatment....only a 24hour monitor.

[patsyann]

doctor said my blood pressure was a bit high. it's always been perfect but that sent me into a spiral .Tried the monitor you can use in our surgery waiting room several times and it was never the same. Then had my son in law using his home monitor reading sky high. So had the 24 hour one put on and a perfect result. So go for it.

[Sqad]

" BP but wondered what else causes it. "

Age, overweight, alcohol, inactivity, smoking (life style) all contribute to high BP.......bar far the commonest cause.
Kidney disease, tumours....all very rare causes of high BP.
Excitement?....probably, but only temporary at best.
White coat syndrome.......maybe but i am not a great believer.
24 hour monitor will give you the answer whether or not it is on the same day as you family arrive.
If you are not convinced then alter the date of your monitor OR alter the day of the family visit.

[Barsel]

Thanks for all your replies. PP you always make me laugh the way you say things.///just tell the doctor you dont want to take his treatment and he will stop mithering you/// Are you a fellow Manc? Anyway, I have taken all your answers on board and will have the monitor and will have the family over as usual and just hope that it is ok.
Sqad, I told them if it's high, it's probably because of my age and the fact I'm overweight. I've been waiting to see a dietician for about 2 months now. Would be interesting to see if it comes down if I lose some weight as there is nothing I can do about the age! :-)

[woofgang]

Barsel, I mean this nicely but honestly (and I have worked with them) a dietician is not going to be able to give you any more information than you can get from the net unless you have got food sensitivity or digestive issues or are planning, or have had, bariatric surgery. Wait if you wish but if you want to try to lose weight then just get started :)

[kvalidir]

Barsel, If I need to lose weight quickly (without being hungry) and healthily I do this. It minimises your appetite wonderfully.
Drink only water, no tea coffee, fizzy drinks etc excepting small glass of juice before breakfast and with evening meal (diluted if you wish to make a much longer drink). For breakfast 2 x weetabix with something like bannana, berries etc, lunch salad and soup, evening meal large veggie stew. Drink a pint of water 1/2 and hour before each meal. You absolutely won't be hungry, it's all good food and natural and the weight will drop off you. Don't wait for a dietition as Woof says just crack on, you'll be amazed how much better you feel :)