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[Elliebee]

I’m currently monitoring BP at home as requested by the GP. Instructions from GP say to take at least 3 readings 2 mins apart. Take readings until BP stops decreasing and use lowest reading. I had to take about 6 readings before it stabilised before jumping back
up again. Other health sites such as blood pressure Uk say to take the average of 3 readings. Others just say submit lowest reading!
What have others been advised to do ?
Also does it have to be first thing in morning as this is when my anxiety is worse ?

[Joaniepat]

I am asked to record the lowest reading out of three. Actually I sometimes do four, it's up to you.
As to taking BP first thing in the morning, an old-school GP wanted me to do this. I found it was a complete waste of time, for the same reason you describe! Do the morning reading at a more civilised time is my advice 🙂
JP x

[Aprilflower]

I’m currently monitoring BP at home as requested by the GP. Instructions from GP say to take at least 3 readings 2 mins apart. Take readings until BP stops decreasing and use lowest reading. I had to take about 6 readings before it stabilised before jumping back
up again. Other health sites such as blood pressure Uk say to take the average of 3 readings. Others just say submit lowest reading!
What have others been advised to do ?
Also does it have to be first thing in morning as this is when my anxiety is worse ?

My doctor didn't say and I couldn't remember from the last time I did it.  I took the average of three in the end.  I don't think it matters that much.

[Tinkerbell]

My GP said at recent review to take two readings, discard first and to do that morning and evening.

[Elliebee]

Thank you everyone! It seems GP’s all ask for something slightly different.

[losttheplot]

Late to reply, but as you know I'm having the same issues as you. I did 3 readings and recorded the lowest. I found some days there would be a jump between the readings, and that worried me. But I think it was just my anxiety. I'm very anxious about the whole thing, even recording at home.
Hopefully as you've got used to doing it the numbers will come down a bit. Good luck.

[Elliebee]

Losttheplot -

I am exactly the same . I get so worked up before taking the readings and need ages to calm down . So, it’s not a quick process for me. Today is the end of the 7 days and I’ll be glad to hand the monitor back to GP. When you have a health anxiety like me and are asked to monitor your BP monitor and checking becomes obsessive 😬
My readings have been as low as 135 but last night jumped up to 175 . I totally panicked and thought I was having a stroke, I thought I could feel pins n needles on arm and face. My husband told me to stop monitoring, relax and redo the readings. They then fell to 152/90. We had been away for the weekend to a family birthday party in Northern Ireland so it was a busy weekend and I was shattered. Plus the flight home was bumpy and I’m a nervous flier. So, probably all pushed my BP up.
Not sure what GP will suggest if I’m borderline needing meds?
Hopefully as you've got used to doing it the numbers will come down a bit. Good luck.
[/quote]

[losttheplot]

Losttheplot -

My readings have been as low as 135 but last night jumped up to 175 . I totally panicked and thought I was having a stroke, I thought I could feel pins n needles on arm and face. My husband told me to stop monitoring, relax and redo the readings. They then fell to 152/90. We had been away for the weekend to a family birthday party in Northern Ireland so it was a busy weekend and I was shattered. Plus the flight home was bumpy and I’m a nervous flier. So, probably all pushed my BP up.
Not sure what GP will suggest if I’m borderline needing meds?

[/quote]

Well done for completing the 7 days. Have you worked out the average yet? (all I can say is thank goodness for calculators  )

[Elliebee]

The average is around 150/90 (I think)!! Not quite sure what GP Will recommend/ lifestyle changes possibly first. However, high BP runs in my family and maternal grandmother and my Dad had vascular dementia. So, not sure if that puts me at higher risk ?
How are u getting on?

[losttheplot]

My average worked out at 157/85. GP suggested pills  so I'm picking them up tomorrow. We did have a discussion about giving me a month to try to get it down myself, however in the end she was concerned about how long my BP may have been raised.... The last time I took it was 3 years ago.

[Aprilflower]

My average worked out at 157/85. GP suggested pills  so I'm picking them up tomorrow. We did have a discussion about giving me a month to try to get it down myself, however in the end she was concerned about how long my BP may have been raised.... The last time I took it was 3 years ago.

Do a bit of research.   It's often difficult to get a blood pressure med that actually lowers the number.  Added to that there are mixed views as to whether lowering the pressure with meds actually does any good.  The numbers come down but the problem remains.

I average 140/70, and after my home monitoring have not been recalled to the surgery.  Personally I would try life style changes first, but that's just me.  I aim to stay off regular meds as long as possible. 

[Elliebee]

Losttheplot I have call with GP tomorrow. Did you have to have any blood tests before starting meds?

I think my last blood pressure check was 3- 4 years ago and it was normal.

[Elliebee]

My average worked out at 157/85. GP suggested pills  so I'm picking them up tomorrow. We did have a discussion about giving me a month to try to get it down myself, however in the end she was concerned about how long my BP may have been raised.... The last time I took it was 3 years ago.

Do a bit of research.   It's often difficult to get a blood pressure med that actually lowers the number.  Added to that there are mixed views as to whether lowering the pressure with meds actually does any good.  The numbers come down but the problem remains.

I average 140/70, and after my home monitoring have not been recalled to the surgery.  Personally I would try life style changes first, but that's just me.  I aim to stay off regular meds as long as possible.

I would prefer not to have meds. How does the problem remain if numbers come down? Do you mean the real cause of high BP remains ?

[losttheplot]

Losttheplot I have call with GP tomorrow. Did you have to have any blood tests before starting meds?

I think my last blood pressure check was 3- 4 years ago and it was normal.

My last BP check was 3 years ago, I remember it was high in the Dr surgery but checking at home I was running at an average 140/82 which at the time was considered OK.

This time it's significantly higher.
No I didn't have any bloods done. However, last year I had loads of blood tests for various issues I was having, so Dr knows w my cholesterol is good.
Good luck with the call.

[losttheplot]

My average worked out at 157/85. GP suggested pills  so I'm picking them up tomorrow. We did have a discussion about giving me a month to try to get it down myself, however in the end she was concerned about how long my BP may have been raised.... The last time I took it was 3 years ago.

Do a bit of research.   It's often difficult to get a blood pressure med that actually lowers the number.  Added to that there are mixed views as to whether lowering the pressure with meds actually does any good.  The numbers come down but the problem remains.

I average 140/70, and after my home monitoring have not been recalled to the surgery.  Personally I would try life style changes first, but that's just me.  I aim to stay off regular meds as long as possible.

I didn't really want to start the taking pills. I am eating well, exercising and meditating. But I can see that my BP is considerably higher than it has ever been.
I have a family history of strokes under 60 yrs of age and death of a family member in their last 40's primarily due to high blood pressure. I'm 64. In a years time I will have lived longer than any of my family 
My main reason for wanting to avoid drugs is that I am very sensitive (and also allergic) to a list of medicines. I'm not looking forward to taking the first pill. I hope that my body will tolerate it with itching or getting hives - or worse.