Thi smay seem trivial, but I am very new to High BP and it's a littl eunnerving. I am 32 years old, 6'3 220 pounds. I have always had BP at 120/80 or below, including my physical last year. However, last week my BP was 140/100. The doctor said that this is considerd high and I need to change my diet, exercise, cut out sodium like many of you have said on these posts. Questions: (1) is 140/95 dangerously high? (2) Is it normal to jump up that much in one year? I have since tested on the machines at drug stores ((3) not sure how accurate they are - are they?) and when I first do it I'm like 140/100, second time 135/88 and then 130/90. I do all the tests back to back to back. (4) Does taking your blood pressure that quickly in succession make thereadings inaccurate? Any help to allieve my concerns and questions would be truly appreciated.

MSH-
Welcome to the boards.
I know the first time anyone is confronted with concerns about their blood pressure it can be very upsetting. However, your doctor sounds like a reasonable and cautious physician because he/she isn't rushing to put you on medication at this point. He is advising you to make some lifestyle changes first, which is good medicine!
In answer to your specific questions:
1) 140/95 is not dangerously high. You are not going to suddenly keel over and have a stroke I promise you. This reading only becomes a concern if it is sustained like that (or higher) over quite a long time.

2) Yes, BP can creep up within one year. It happened to me. 120/80 for years and next check-up it was 140/90 exactly 365 days after my last check-up.
3) Drug store machines are not reliable in that they probably are not checked or calibrated often.

4)One should take separate BP readings with a rest of about two- three minutes in between, not back to back. Also it is important for the arm to be completely limp and relaxed on a table, ((you will definitely get an inaccurate reading if it is tensed or held in a stiffened positon), the cuff should be level with your heart, your back should be supported, and both feet should be in front of you, flat on the floor (no crossing legs). Also to get a proper baseline reading , one ideally shouldn't have smoked, eaten or exercised in the past half hour.

It would be a good idea for you to invest in your own BP home monitor to keep track of your BP in between doctor's visits. Everyone here on this board can help you choose one if you like, and give you tips on the best ones.

Also it's important to remember that your BP is always higher in the doctor's office than it is normally, since there is a certain degree of anxiety just BEING there. This is called "white-coat hypertension".

Try an exercise routine regularly, alter your diet to include more fish and chicken instead of red meats and burgers..Basically less fat. More fresh veggies and fruit. Emphasis on fresh as opposed to canned if possible.

Regarding sodium, don't add any table salt to your food. (This habit takes about 3 weeks to break if you stay with it!)
And watch for hidden sodium in all processed, canned, and packaged foods..they are LOADED with it. Try to read labels and limit your entire daily sodium intake to no more than 2400mg. Easier said than done!

If you smoke..welll...I'm sure the doc already gave you THAT lecture.
Alcohol in excess can raise BP also.
Be careful with over-the-counter cold remedies and decongestants..also known to raise BP is susceptible individuals. As well as analgesics like Advil.

Come back here if you have any questions at all...Many of us STILL have them....even us old-timers!

zuzu xxx

It may just be a simple answer. Are you a nervous person? Do you have White Coat Hypertension? I do, and the doctor freaks out everytime I go for a blood pressure check because it always ends up be really high. And my pulse in the nineties. At one point the doctor said he couldnt read the number on the meter cause it went over and above it. So It could very well be nerves....also, stay away from caffeine, that really puts you over the edge. Dont worry, my doctor jumps to conclusions too! He is great at scaring you....good luck, and dont worry too much. If you are a tea drinker, try some chamomile, it really lowers your blood pressure. And next time you go to the doctor's an hour before eat: 1/2 bagel with jelly, a banana, and a cup of chamomile tea. You should have a normal reading after that. :)
Cathy

MSH,

Zuzu gave you superb advice: I've even cut-and-pasted it to a folder called BP Primer to make it easy to re-post for newbies. Thanks hon!

Let me add how important it is for you to get a tester to use at home (borrow or buy...like $29.95 if you search [get a self-inflator, you'll be glad you did]). Keep a log to show your doctor (maybe 2 readings a day.)
Each time take 3 readings switching arms, 2 minutes apart and discard one if it's out of line from the others. (My refinement!) Average the 2 or three readings and round off to a whole numer and record it...Record hart rate also- it's usually done on the machine.

Do this BEFORE you take any meds and you might be saving yourself a lifetime of expense and tedium. Once the doctors get you on these drugs they'll try to shame you into staying on and fiddling doses til the day they close your coffin lid...and maybe even then they'll try to throw a couple bottles in with you ;)!

I have finally decided that I will not let any doctor take a BP reading in an office...it will be a BAD reading ("And I am UNANIMOUS in that!":D:D)

I agree. Haven't been back to the doc. in months, because my b/p always soars when I go to him. The 1st thing that he always wants to do is take my b/p. My readings over the last three days on Lotrel & Toprol...

117/65
115/65
117/72

Pulse is between 59-62.

New insurance kicks in within a month or so. I know what you guys say about drup store machines not being calibrated correctly, but I have taken my b/p at like 10 different locations & it always comes up the same. After walking 1/2 mile or so it still peaks at 132/79.

One hypertensive crisis in March of 2003 when it was 193/100 after a 4 day drinking binge & the doc. put me on meds right away.... The side-effects are the fun part... Some days I feel great, but it is not uncommon to feel slightly dizzy from time to time & lethargic. I'm going to start doing what Zip does & not let them take my b/p. I have taken it on my own for almost a year now & when it is getting in the 115/65 range that is a little low imo. I don't care what the new AMA guidelines are. It is B.S. IMO. 99% of the population would be on meds. I watch as others take there B.P. & I have the lowest out of all of them. At 33, I should be concentrating on good things, but my doc. put many fears into my head. He also referred me to a nephrologist after the binge. The nephrologist told me that maybe I should take up Tai-Chi.... I love doctors, beta-blockers & B.P. meds. Sarcasm mode turned off.

axe, at that pulse rate, no wonder you're feeling dizzy and lethargic. Methinks it's a bit low for a person your age. Sounds as if the Toprol is really doing its job, maybe a little too well!

You're right about the AMA guidelines, though. I'm wondering if the entire world population should be on BP meds right now...:rolleyes:

Like you, I'm ecstatic nowadays if my BP reads about 112-120/78-84 although as you can see I'm not as ambitious as you! :D. Personally I think I have isolated diastolic hypertension, and any increase in my current meds (Diovan) would probably result in a better diastolic reading, but I may be suffering from dizzy spells from the systolic going too low :nono:

I have isolated diastolic as well without the meds. 33 now. When I was 23 even it would be 140/75 or so. I'm Type A, so it has a lot to do with it. The AMA & the doctors have a conspiracy with these meds. to make more $'s.... I am convinced. 115/65 with a pulse rate of 62... your are right... no wonder I feel lethargic.

Hello all - I have trouble with the high readings in the doctor's office too. I have to nearly put my self under hypnosis to get a decent reading - ha!! Interesting that Zip said he will not let the Dr. take his BP in the office.........can we get away with this? Mine says he has to have a office reading for my record for verification the meds are working or need to be adjusted, etc. Last visit - I got a good reading when the tech checked it first thing........then the nurse prac. told me I needed a complete physical due to being in my 40's..........which I though was overkill......seeing as I pay out of pocket to $5200.00 /year. Blood work - I don't mind but not a bunch of tests unless I am having some problems. Anyway she decided she would recheck my BP in both arms.......tricky, tricky..........she wouldn't even tell me what the #'s were but the bad thing is she probably recorded them in my record. When you are self-employed and have your own ins. - it is very important to only have in your record what has to be in there.......in case you have to change ins. companies......they are very picky about who they will approve. I had to jump thru about 10 hoops when I finally got approved with my current company and all I have is stage 1 HBP.......nothing else. When you pay out of pocket with a high deductible.......makes you think twice before you agree to a bunch of testing you may not need!! Just my GYN visit with pap and mammogram costs me around $400.00 + a year.......then you add in all the back and forth Dr. visits to adjust BP meds, etc.......gets way up there!!.......anyway.....needed to vent a bit!! ;)

Thank you very much for all of your replies. I learned more from your responses and words of wisdom than I ever anticipated. I really appreciate you taking the time and responding, and I WILL implement your suggestions. Thank you.

colliegirl,

Check your stste's laws. New Jersey is VERY good for patients in that as long as you've had insurance up to 6 months ago, ALL Insurance Companies operating in the state MUST take you at the standard rates with NO "waiting" period.

I was going to move to Pennsy but suspected there was something wrong with my heart. Since my Insurance company DOES NOT operate out of PA and there's no requirement to cover everybody, I scotched the move!
Good I did, because my stent would have cost many $$$tens of thousands$$.