It's strange i never got nervous about seeing the doc in the past, after going every couple of months i have grown in confidence until my readings atthe doc's were the same as at home. But for reason today appointment i am panicking about. I think it is because i came of my meds last week due to side effects and i'm concerned whether he will put me back on other meds. My readings are at 160/90, but sometimes they can go as low as 135/80 (but not today unfortunately).

Paul

Sorry I don't have any words of wisdom on this. I do the exact same thing. It seems to be a pretty common reaction though if that makes you feel any better.

Calm down Paul. I really don't think you should alarm over your readings. Have you tried meditation? When I'm waiting for my doctor, I try to meditate. Actually, it's mostly breathing and visualizing a peaceful setting. I place my hands on my stomach and breath deeply through my nose feeling my stomach rise and slowly breath out through my mouth. Hope this helps. Also, I find if I workout before my appointment that helps. Seems the more physical I am, the lower the blood pressure. :bouncing: Doesn't mean that it works for everyone. Good luck.

Just the fact that you have occasional readings of 135/80 should tell you that you probably have never had a hypertension problem in the first place. Remember, there are many things that can give false high readings of 160/90, but not many that can give false low readings. I would trust your readings of 135/80. It's probably even lower than that when you're lying down watching TV. :)

I'm 27 and I have the same problem as you. I get some readings of 170/100. But occasional readings of 135/80 after a few close measurements.

Junior,

Would have disagree with you a little. It is expected to get readings lowering whilst lying down and watching TV, you are not supposed to take readings in this position as it isn't a true repesentation of your actual BP. Also reading of 135/85 approx are not cause for concern, but they are also not normal as you suggest. I believe them to be (in my limited knowledge) prehypertension or High Normal, which suggests more of a lifestyle change than meds. But unfortunately these lower readings of mine are very few and far between. I personally would expect some lower readings on occasions depending on time of day, your current mood, what you are doing etc. For example would it not be unreasonable to suggest that it is common to expect lower readings at bed times and higher in the morning?

I do agree with you that my readings are getting closer to something that resembles normal. I think my doc appreciates this as until now i was on Atenolol and expected to stay on it another year without a doc's check. I have changed meds due to side effects and he has noticed a reduction in my BP and suggested a low dose for now with the intention of reviewing in 3-4 months and possible taking me of the meds all together.

Unfortunately since i started the Ace inhibitor i have not had a reading below 145/85.

regards
Paul

I believe them to be (in my limited knowledge) prehypertension or High Normal, which suggests more of a lifestyle change than meds.

I've taken about 14,000 blood pressure readings, with logs, over the past six years in order to fully understand my blood pressure, and hopefully find a way to lower it with lifestyle and med changes.

I chart the readings by hour, by day, by week, by month.

I've found out that some things that I breathe, or that touches my skin, or that I eat or drink, can push my blood pressure up. Some things that I breathe or that touch my skin, can push the blood pressure up immediately. Some things that I eat or drink tend to have a delayed reaction. Keeping the a log with the readings has been very helpful in getting control over my BP.

But unfortunately these lower readings of mine are very few and far between. I personally would expect some lower readings on occasions depending on time of day, your current mood, what you are doing etc.

After six years of readings, I've found out that my blood pressure readings are also somewhat seasonal, and depend upon what is in the air.

My BP varies quite a bit during the day. My highest readings are almost always at night. As I have gotten my BP under control, my BP peaks at night are now much lower. My lowest readings are within a few hours after taking a particular BP med. I agree with you about the "time of day", your mood and your activities effecting your BP, especially if you breathe, eat, drink, or come into contact with a substance that can cause your BP to go higher.

For example would it not be unreasonable to suggest that it is common to expect lower readings at bed times and higher in the morning?

Allergens can effect my BP. Thus, the bed, is one of the worst places for someone like me, who is both allergic and hypertensive. I get both low morning readings and high morning readings. I have not yet found out why.

I think my doc appreciates this as until now i was on Atenolol and expected to stay on it another year without a doc's check.

Do you know how soon the Atenolol kicks in and how long the "lowering effect" lasts?

I have changed meds due to side effects and he has noticed a reduction in my BP and suggested a low dose for now with the intention of reviewing in 3-4 months and possible taking me off the meds all together.

I was on multiple blood pressure meds. Most of my meds, except for the diuretic, all had a similar reaction, reducing the pressure on blood vessel walls. Partly because they all work on the same "blood vessel relaxing" effect, I think that one medicine can negate the other med, and even change the way that it works. I found that I benefited better by separating the meds by at least an hour, and sometimes up to three hours.

I am still on heart meds, but I have been able to significantly reduce the number of meds that I am on, and the doses, and I feel much better. But it has been a long haul. Many readings. Many frustrations and miscalculations. And....... much learning.

Just wanted to pass on some of my experiences just in case something is of help.

Regards, and best wishes for your health!

Paul, I wasn't suggesting that you take your BP while lying down. I was only suggesting that your BP is probably lower than 135/85 when your doing something else other than thinking about your BP. And a BP of 135/80, is still a normal BP. They have classified it "pre-hypertension" because most people who continue their current lifestyle will go on to develop true hypertension. In other words, they are saying "If you don't watch out, you will develop hypertension". PRE = BEFORE. But many people confuse this as meaning they are actually in the hypertension stage.

I would still trust your 135/80 as being your true BP though. And since your diastolic is perfect and your systolic a little high compared to your diastolic, that suggests anxiety. That depends on your age however. Take your BP several times at 2 minute intervals and see if it makes a difference. Don't forget to raise your arm between each reading to get the blood to flow back to your heart.

Junior,

I wouls agree that 135/80ish is not hypertension, but where i slightly differ is that i class it as cause for concern. Not all out panic, but perhaps worth thinking about lifestyle changes etc.

I don't feel you can take one reading to determine hypertension, or not hypertension as you suggest. Likewise if i had 1 readings of 189/95 (which i have had 1yr ago pre-meds) i wouldn't consider myself to have hypertension. Like the other comment from Beerzoid i too monitor my BP at home regularly, i have at least a years worth of readings, which i take at least 1 reading daily. I base most of my assumptions on monthly averages that i have taken. I have rarely had a reading below 145/85 on meds and 158/95 with no meds.

In my humble opinion i believe sustained high readings are what cause long term damage, therefore i have one reading that is reasonable and the rest that are higher, even though i am cable of reaching lower readings i am still at risk because most of the time my arteries are taking a beating.

I don't class myself as suffering white-coat as i am able to get readings that are similar at home and in the docs office. As Beerzoid suggests i guess its really knowing your numbers. I realize PRE is BEFORE, but one stage from hypertension isn't normal.

Anyway what really is normal/cause for concern, if our doctors cannot unite on this front then how are we all truely to know the facts.

Thanks for your help.
Paul

Absolutely, a totally relaxed reading of 135/80ish should be followed closely to make sure that it doesn't consistently become higher than 140/90. But I really do wish that they would have never put the "pre-hypertension" category. It makes people feel like they're in serious danger. I'm sure it would have been better for everybody if they would have left it as "normal-high". But for angument's sake, I will say that one category before hypertension IS normal. Remember that only a few years ago, 140/90 - 159/95 was the "normal-high" category. I bet that if you go to your local walmart or drug store and look at the public machines, they will still have those standards on them. The ones in my hometown still do.

An update on how anxiety can cause a huge spike... I went to see a chiropractor today, and she happened to take my BP. I wasn't expecting that from a chiro. But anyway, it was 190/90! If it was that high while seeing a chiropractor, I wonder what the hell my BP will be at at my REAL doctor's appointment on Friday! But just the fact that my diastolic is somewhat normal, I believe that it's all anxiety. Especially since I'm only 27.

Junior,

I total agree with you about anxiety. I feel alot of my readings are anxiety related, i do need to learn to unwind and not stress so easily. Beginning to get a little fed up taking readings and closely watching my BP. I know it's for the good, but it gets so confusing whether i'm actually wasting my time.

A year ago before i first started on meds, i never had a reading below 145/85, hence why the doc started me on tablets. I have been on tablets for approx a year and reading varied between 135/80-140/85, rarely a reading above this.

After coming off for a week me lower readings stayed the same but my peak readings went up to around 158/95. So now i'm back on meds, again a pattern like when i was previously on meds is emerging. It just seems as though my doc hasn't given me enough time unmedicated. I appreciate he is controlling my peak readings by doing so, but i don't really think my lower readings have changed throughout the entire last year. The only difference being that they a less frequent when i am not on the meds.

To be honest i don't really think i have given the lifestyle change much of ago. I am writing a healthy menu for next week and trying to 30mins on my rowing machine a night. Perhaps if i am able to bring my readings down to the 120's/80's when on med's my doc may feel it worth dropping the tablets.

Otherwise when i return to him if my readings still show 135/80ish he will say that is ok unmedicated, but i need the tablets to stay at these readings. But in my opinion i haven't really proved that i am unable to reach these figures unaided by meds yet.

thanks for all you advice Junior and Beerzoid

regards
Paul :cool: