Menopause Matters Forum
Menopause Discussion => Other Health Discussion => Topic started by: babyjane on October 22, 2014, 11:47:57 AM
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Hi, I had my blood pressure taken at the doctors this week and it was 141/88. Prior to this it has been 124/78 for years. I queried it with the doctor as I was a little concerned and he agreed that although it was higher than my usual reading it was still within the normal range so he did not have any cause for concern but will retest it in a months time when I see him again. He did say I was to resist the temptation to use the self testing machine in the surgery before then, or buy a self testing device.
Can anyone knowledgeable explain these numbers to me and why it could have risen suddenly like this?
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Why resist the urge to buy a self testing machine? Our doc suggested we did this (buy one) good quality, cuff round the arm job, and test our own blood pressure as we regularly found that once in the docs surgery if you had stresses at home, the reading was always higher. We were told test once, disregard it, and a few mins later test again. This is the reading to go by. I have sometimes had to do this and keep a record to take to the surgery, just to prove that all is well...... sorry I can't actually explain the numbers, I was told, but it's gone from my brain for long ago... :)
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I sympathise. I used to have low/normal BP for years. Out came ovaries & it literally went up overnight. I got checks done at GPs over a few weeks, but ended up on tablets. Nowadays white coat syndrome is my problem. However, unconvinced, GP had me checking mine 3 times a day for a week, it was fine. Had it checked before flu jab it was 133/78, which I was told was fine.
I bought a BP machine, so I could prove it was white coat syndrome. I don't know about the numbers either. All I know is it's common as we age for it to go up a bit.
Don't know if this helps explain numbers better or not.
http://www.bloodpressureuk.org/BloodPressureandyou/Thebasics/Bloodpressurechart
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When I was a student nurse, we were taught that the 'top number' could be classed as 'normal' if it was 100 + age, within the limits 100 - 145. The bottom number was classed as 'normal' if it fell between 60 and 90. So, assuming you are not younger than 41, your reading is within the normal range (if at the higher end). You don't say why you went to see the GP, but something as simple as a minor infection can make your BP go up temporarily.
The readings measure the pressure your blood exerts on your blood vessels when the heart is pumping (the top, bigger number - known correctly as the 'systolic' pressure), and when it is between beats (the lower number - diastolic). Things such as exercise, stress, dehydration, being too warm/too cold ... a bazillion different factors ... can have an effect on the systolic pressure for a short period. Doctors tend to be more concerned if your diastolic is persistantly (or dangerously) high, as this is the pressure when your heart is at rest.
Your doctor is not concerned about your BP - I know it's easy to say, but you don't need to be either. I have white-coat hypertension - my BP goes very high when I'm at the doctor's!! I have had a 24hr recording of it done twice to confirm, and unlike you, I HAVE been recommended to check it at home as I get reliable readings! But in your case, you will do more harm than good by worrying about it or self-checking. Try to relax and do some nice things to take your mind off it.
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Oh Scampi thank you for your knowlegeable explanation :thankyou:. I feel very reassured. I do not have white coat syndrome, hence it always being 124/78 at the surgery every time. When I drive 20 miles up the motorway to the hospital for endo clinic it is usually a little higher because of road rage! No, I am 58.
Mr GP knows how I get obsessed with things and if I had a machine I would keep on checking and worrying which you have picked up on, very discerning of you.
My thyroid levels are a bit unstable just now and my anxiety is raised. From what you say this could account for the rise in BP, am I right? I have been given a low dose Beta Blocker for a time until I stabilise so hopefully this could also level my BP.
Cubagirl and Witchescat thank you also for your replies :)
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I've found that if I know I'm getting BP checked at surgery, I try to make sure I'm breathing properly. Sounds daft, but seems to work for me.
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White Coat Syndrome! My husband is the calmest person you will EVER meet - particularly today - and he has WCS ………….
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People I know who have had high blood pressure issues often comment it's higher first thing in the morning, goes down later in the day.
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thank you Limpy, I had a 9 am appointment as it was all I could get with my own doctor and the traffic into town was very busy. I usually go for one later in the day if I can. That's an interesting point.
See, this forum should be on prescription as it makes you feel a lot better :hug:
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Did anyone see 'Trust me I'm a Doctor' on BBC last night. They tested 3 food that lower blood pressure. Beetroot, garlic and water melon. Beetroot came out as the best. They also said chocolate lowered it too but did not recommend that due to fat/sugar content. Shame.
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Love beetroot & dark chocolate, though not together. ;D
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my son, who loves to cook, introduced me to venison with dark chocolate....... :-X
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Beetroot goes well with many food stuffs - but remember that your pee will be pink ::)
Thank you Scampi - a very good explanation!
We eat garlic and ginger most days finely chopped in something - sometimes DH boils rice and adds ginger and garlic, black pepper and salt - then chops chicken or this evening, fried trout to eat with it.
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my bp high today. Didn't take it, just know as my pulse goes sloooow at the same time.
My specialist recommended diet excludes garlic, beetroot and water melon! I've long ignored the garlic bit as it's too difficult. But used to eat lots of beetroot. Maybe I'll try a spoonful to see what happens.
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I have the worlds worst white coat syndrome ;D ;D My heartrate can go up to 140 just by a Dr picking up my hand to take my pulse.
My Gp told me to get a bp machine and take it twice a day for 6 weeks and go back with the readings. The first few days I was slightly high with pulse of 120 but once I got used to the machine it was always totally normal although my pulse was never totally normal. Went back and he said I have perfectly normal bp when not suffering from wcs. He also said the emphasis is on it being permanetly raised in which case it would not have come down once I got used to doing it myself.
I now do this twice a year and as before for the first few days its borderline up but then goes back to totally normal.
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I've to get mine checked again in January so will do my own readings for a week before I go, just in case. ::)