I have had what seems to be anxiety related hypertension my whole life. When I was 13, my BP was taken and it was a whopping 180/80! I don't know why it was that high at 13, but since then, I have had high readings because I expect them to be high, even at home.

For example, at home, I have to take my BP 10-15 times at one minute intervals to go from 160/100 to 135/83. I know that's not great for a 27 year old, but it's the best BP I have seen for me! I'm sure when I'm really relaxed watching TV, my systolic must be lower than that. Actually, my lowest reading was 130/79. My diastolic even went as low as 77. So, I'm starting to feel better about my BP.

But nonetheless, can it be that the slightest anxiety of taking my BP at home will cause such high readings at first? Just switching arms makes my BP at 160/100 again because I expect it to be high.

One doctor told me that I was labile hypertensive which meant that my bp really responds to stress or anxiety and changes very quickly. Anyone else ever heard of this term?

Yes, my doctor told me the same thing about 6 months ago. Now after having normal readings the last 2 times what does that mean??? Docs are too quick to diagnose in general in this day & age & prescribe b/p meds. If someone is relatively young & the doc. prescribes right away, I think that it is wrong. Labile hypertension is when the 1st# is high & the 2nd is normal. It is generally due to anxiety. I know that the arguement is that "well how is your b/p when you are under stressful situations on a day to day basis... this is why you need meds. My girlfriend is 23. She had 143/78 or so with a pulse rate of 103. Does she need to be on meds? My mom had a b/p of like 150/90 the last time at the doc. after driving for 45 minutes in traffic. Why don't we put the entire world on b/p meds. We'll all be walking zombies with pulse rates in the 40's & 50's. I'm not a doctor, but I think that the most reliable way to see if one has high b/p is to take a log for at least 3-4 months at different points of the day. If your b/p is still over 140/90 after modifications to lifestyle+ than maybe meds. might be the answer. 1-3 isolated readings at the doctor do not mean high blood pressure, nor do readings at the doctor imo. Who's B/P doesn't rise when faced with stress????

Junior,

I recommend that you go see a cardiologist, not an ER or clinic doctor. There's no sense in continually creating false hope for yourself if you're still confused about what's going on with your bp.

Get a good GP before going to a cardiologist. They will run 8 million tests that have nothing to do with B/P. Trust me. I did it 10 years ago & got a big fat $1200 bill as a result. If the G/P refers you out to a hypertension specialist that is the best bet. I have great insurance now, so I don't have to worry about referrals, but I think that going to a cardiologist right away is kind of jumping the gun.

Actually, what's funny is that my BP is actually lower at the clinic than at home. At the clinic, they use the auscultatory method (stethoscope). My number last time was 155/85. The doc said it's definitely anxiety. Especially since my diastolic is normal, and my pulse was WAY high.

That's one good thing about living in Canada. Maybe we get half-a$$ed treatment here, but at least we don't get prescribed pills that we don't need. I've seen people on this board with BP's of 130/80 getting prescribed pills. Anything for a profit I guess.

Junior,

The latest JNC-7 Guidelines (JNC 7) suggest that 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring(ABPM) is warranted for evaluation of “white-coat” hypertension in the absence of target organ injury.

It is also helpful to assess patients with apparent drug resistance, hypotensive symptoms with antihypertensive medications, episodic hypertension, and autonomic dysfunction.

Why not ask your physician if this would be an option for you?

zuzu xxx

Hopefully, my physician will be smart enough to know that an ambulatory monitor is in order. Otherwise, I'll simply demand one. Thanks zuzu!

I am female, 45, and have had HBP for 15 years (that I know of). Currently seeing my second hypertensive specialist and am on six medications. BP still not under control. No combinations of meds seem to work. They will bring it down for about a week, then I get used to meds and it goes back up. I believe I am a "high stress" personality and maybe anti-anxiety meds would bring it down. Has anyone brought there pressure down with anxiety meds?
Thanks, swiiggs.