junior26
08-27-2004, 01:41 PM
The point of this survey is to see how 10 measurements at 1 minute intervals affects BP measurements in anxious vs. non-anxious individuals.
My theory is that the 1 minute interval will affect BP sharply in anxious people, but non-anxious people will be virtually unaffected by the short interval. I'm hoping this survey will confirm my theory.
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Do you suffer from white coat syndrome at home? YES
Results:
1. 159/99
2. 140/90
3. 142/92
4. 136/84
5. 130/79
6. 136/83
7. 152/100
8. 136/80
9. 133/77
10. 134/82
Switch arms: 155/95
Systolic range: 159 to 130 (29)
Diastolic range: 100 to 77 (23)
My theory is that the 1 minute interval will affect BP sharply in anxious people, but non-anxious people will be virtually unaffected by the short interval. I'm hoping this survey will confirm my theory.
----------
Do you suffer from white coat syndrome at home? YES
Results:
1. 159/99
2. 140/90
3. 142/92
4. 136/84
5. 130/79
6. 136/83
7. 152/100
8. 136/80
9. 133/77
10. 134/82
Switch arms: 155/95
Systolic range: 159 to 130 (29)
Diastolic range: 100 to 77 (23)
Sponsor
crabbyroad
08-27-2004, 03:31 PM
Junior,
What kind of treatment are you currently getting for your anxiety? Does your doctor know you have let the BP taking become an obessive complusive disorder?
I was in the same predicament as you years back at age 28, and then again it started with one higher reading again. It has stopped, only after my doctor was told I was obessessed with it by my husband. It took some time to not behaviorally react to reach for my monitor, (as my husband was to be given the monitor if I took it more than 3 times a day). I was told to walk off the feeling each time I had the "urge" to take my BP, even when I took a reading that was uncomfortably high for me. I did start to notice the walking itself for 20 mins, would decrease my BP, eventually I got down to once a day. Now I take it once every 3 days, its within normal range.
What kind of treatment are you currently getting for your anxiety? Does your doctor know you have let the BP taking become an obessive complusive disorder?
I was in the same predicament as you years back at age 28, and then again it started with one higher reading again. It has stopped, only after my doctor was told I was obessessed with it by my husband. It took some time to not behaviorally react to reach for my monitor, (as my husband was to be given the monitor if I took it more than 3 times a day). I was told to walk off the feeling each time I had the "urge" to take my BP, even when I took a reading that was uncomfortably high for me. I did start to notice the walking itself for 20 mins, would decrease my BP, eventually I got down to once a day. Now I take it once every 3 days, its within normal range.
bharkins
08-27-2004, 03:35 PM
White Coat at home - Sometimes, when I feel like my pressure is high, I am
anxious while taking it.
Systolic range-120-94
Diastolic range-80-72
I am not quite sure that one minute intervals is enough time for the blood vessels to get back to normal after being constricted.
anxious while taking it.
Systolic range-120-94
Diastolic range-80-72
I am not quite sure that one minute intervals is enough time for the blood vessels to get back to normal after being constricted.
junior26
08-27-2004, 04:29 PM
Many studies are being made with 10 measurements at 1 minute intervals. I'm curious to know if they're correct. That's why I started this survey. Apparently, most people are getting differences of 30 in their systolic and 20 in their diastolic measurements after the 10th time. I'm one of them, as well as others. Look at the results!
crabbyroad, I'm not taking anything for my anxiety right now, but I have been seeing a psychologist, who actually told me to return to the doctor for further testing. I have been dizzy 24/7 for 2 months now, which I had attributed to anxiety, but he has never seen that before. As for my, I'd give anything to have a first time reading of less than 140/90, but I've NEVER had a first time reading of less than 155/95. That's why I obsess over it. I turned 27 yesterday and I've had those numbers since a very young age, and that's just not normal.
I had been reassured seeing my BP go down 30 points after taking it at short intervals, but after seeing that it happens to others. I'm once again freaking out since I've had Stage I and Stage II hypertension readings since I was a kid. :(
crabbyroad, I'm not taking anything for my anxiety right now, but I have been seeing a psychologist, who actually told me to return to the doctor for further testing. I have been dizzy 24/7 for 2 months now, which I had attributed to anxiety, but he has never seen that before. As for my, I'd give anything to have a first time reading of less than 140/90, but I've NEVER had a first time reading of less than 155/95. That's why I obsess over it. I turned 27 yesterday and I've had those numbers since a very young age, and that's just not normal.
I had been reassured seeing my BP go down 30 points after taking it at short intervals, but after seeing that it happens to others. I'm once again freaking out since I've had Stage I and Stage II hypertension readings since I was a kid. :(
bharkins
08-27-2004, 07:19 PM
Surveys may have been done about taking blood pressure several times in one sitting, but what concerns me is the fact that the first one can be very high. I have this problem in the morning when I first get up. I have tried waiting for about an hour or taking it when I first get up. It really doesn't make much difference as it is quite high (154/105). I take my morning meds and it is down to a great number about four hours later. What concerns me is the fact that it was up there in the first place. That is why I question the take it three times and average the last two theory. What doesn't that first one count whenever you take it? My doctor only takes it once and due to severe white coat and the "scale Nazi nurse", it is always through the roof.
zuzu8
08-27-2004, 08:49 PM
Many studies are being made with 10 measurements at 1 minute intervals.
Junior,
I'm not aware of many studies that use the 10 measurement criteria. I have read somewhere an abstract that appeared in a 1990 article from an American&Obstetric Gyne Publication, that took 10 consecutive measurements, but this was a tiny study involving only 68 pregnant women. BP was measured "telemetically" (whatever that is!) from home.
You're getting yourself more and more anxious the more you read online.:nono:
And of course your BP is going to be elevated the more you obsess about it.
Three consecutive readings, about 2 minutes apart should be the most you should have to do in one sitting to get a pretty accurate baseline BP. Throw out the first reading and average the last 2.
If anxiety, even at home, is the cause of your elevated readings it would be a great idea to ask your psychologist if he might recommend someone who could prescribe an anti-anxiety med for you on a short-term basis. I'm guessing that a lot of your anxiety stems from the fact that you're not SURE your elevated BP is caused by anxiety. If the anti-anxiety agent works, you'll know for sure... and you'll be getting better readings into the bargain!
zuzu xxx
Junior,
I'm not aware of many studies that use the 10 measurement criteria. I have read somewhere an abstract that appeared in a 1990 article from an American&Obstetric Gyne Publication, that took 10 consecutive measurements, but this was a tiny study involving only 68 pregnant women. BP was measured "telemetically" (whatever that is!) from home.
You're getting yourself more and more anxious the more you read online.:nono:
And of course your BP is going to be elevated the more you obsess about it.
Three consecutive readings, about 2 minutes apart should be the most you should have to do in one sitting to get a pretty accurate baseline BP. Throw out the first reading and average the last 2.
If anxiety, even at home, is the cause of your elevated readings it would be a great idea to ask your psychologist if he might recommend someone who could prescribe an anti-anxiety med for you on a short-term basis. I'm guessing that a lot of your anxiety stems from the fact that you're not SURE your elevated BP is caused by anxiety. If the anti-anxiety agent works, you'll know for sure... and you'll be getting better readings into the bargain!
zuzu xxx
junior26
08-28-2004, 01:18 AM
I just did a Google search using "blood pressure" "1 minute intervals for" and got plenty of results from BP studies using 1 minute intervals. Reading about this makes me feel better about my BP since mine goes down quite a bit after a few readings. It fluctuates up and down during these readings, not just down, so that's why I'm pretty sure I can trust them.
But my doc will be able to tell me that next week. Only, I'm going to see him for 24/7 dizziness I've been having for the past 2 months, not really for my hypertension. But he'll surely check that too!
Zuzu, you're absolutely right in saying that I'm stressing out over the fact that I'm not sure whether my elevated BP is caused by my anxiety. It has been this way for 10-15 years, since I was a kid. But back then, I didn't really take it seriously. I thought, "That can't be right". And everybody saying to me, "You're just made that way. It's no big deal". So I lived by that advice. But after recently looking at the consequences of long term hypertension and the fact that hypertension is very rare in teenagers, I have begun to freak out, thinking I have everything from a brain aneurysm, to congestive heart failure because of my constant dizziness.
I pretty much eliminated all possible secondary causes. So I'm thinking it really is anxiety, mixed with a little inactivity, and a dash of heredity. ;)
But my doc will be able to tell me that next week. Only, I'm going to see him for 24/7 dizziness I've been having for the past 2 months, not really for my hypertension. But he'll surely check that too!
Zuzu, you're absolutely right in saying that I'm stressing out over the fact that I'm not sure whether my elevated BP is caused by my anxiety. It has been this way for 10-15 years, since I was a kid. But back then, I didn't really take it seriously. I thought, "That can't be right". And everybody saying to me, "You're just made that way. It's no big deal". So I lived by that advice. But after recently looking at the consequences of long term hypertension and the fact that hypertension is very rare in teenagers, I have begun to freak out, thinking I have everything from a brain aneurysm, to congestive heart failure because of my constant dizziness.
I pretty much eliminated all possible secondary causes. So I'm thinking it really is anxiety, mixed with a little inactivity, and a dash of heredity. ;)
alptraum
08-28-2004, 05:38 PM
The whole 1 minute interval concerns me, I did do a google to see what you were talking about but if you look at the studies that did this they were using specialized testing equipment, in one study a Lifestat 200 which looking at it, presumably is a bit more advanced than the cuffs we have at home.
Also when you take measurements like this so close together in statistics there is a problem known as autocorrelation, in a nutshell if one reading is high, the next reading has a very high probability of being high as well, or if the reading is low, the next reading has a high probability of being low as well, and is a serious problem when doing analysis if you don't check for it. Checking it every minute like this undoubtably has high autocorrelation problems, plus your probably getting worked up if the numbers keep going up.
Take it easy and chill :) Getting stressed out like this over it doesn't do you any good, it makes the problem worse.
Also when you take measurements like this so close together in statistics there is a problem known as autocorrelation, in a nutshell if one reading is high, the next reading has a very high probability of being high as well, or if the reading is low, the next reading has a high probability of being low as well, and is a serious problem when doing analysis if you don't check for it. Checking it every minute like this undoubtably has high autocorrelation problems, plus your probably getting worked up if the numbers keep going up.
Take it easy and chill :) Getting stressed out like this over it doesn't do you any good, it makes the problem worse.
junior26
08-29-2004, 03:15 PM
Hmm. That's an interesting point you have about autocorrelation. However, in the studies, I figure that a cuff is a cuff, and it must constrict your arteries no matter what.
In my case, the numbers fluctuate a great deal. For example, I took my BP again at 1 minute intervals...
5th measurement was 148/90
6th measurement was 136/83
7th meaurement was 150/100
It fluctuates a great deal. A curious thing is that when I switched arms, the diastolic stayed in the 80's, but the systolic jumped to the 150's. So I really believe that my problem is anxiety for the large part.
You're right though, I really gotta chill about this. I'm just really scared to go see a doctor and have him tell me that my BP problems after all these years have caused problems.
In my case, the numbers fluctuate a great deal. For example, I took my BP again at 1 minute intervals...
5th measurement was 148/90
6th measurement was 136/83
7th meaurement was 150/100
It fluctuates a great deal. A curious thing is that when I switched arms, the diastolic stayed in the 80's, but the systolic jumped to the 150's. So I really believe that my problem is anxiety for the large part.
You're right though, I really gotta chill about this. I'm just really scared to go see a doctor and have him tell me that my BP problems after all these years have caused problems.
alptraum
09-02-2004, 03:25 AM
I wouldn't presume that those studies are using a bp device that uses a cuff, look at the industial strength units designed for hospitals, a lot of them are marketed for being cuffless, no catheter, not sure how exactly they take measurements, and most importantly clearly state they can be used every xx seconds and achieve accurate results, our home cuffs aren't designed for such rigorous use.
It's like expecting to replicate an experiment originally performed with a mass spectromer and you want to do it at home with a hobbiest chemistry kit.
It's like expecting to replicate an experiment originally performed with a mass spectromer and you want to do it at home with a hobbiest chemistry kit.
junior26
09-02-2004, 09:35 AM
Maybe you're right about the quality of the cuffs, but yes, the studies were indeed done using cuffs. I made sure of that when doing my reasearch.
Here are a couple of quotes...
"Blood pressure will also be measured in all subjects by qualified nursing staff using a tabletop sphygmomanometer with an appropriate-size arm cuff. Three readings will be taken using the right arm at 1-minute intervals after subjects have rested for at least 5 minutes; systolic and diastolic blood pressure will be calculated as the average of the second and third readings."
"Blood pressure was measured using an oscillometric method, and the cuff was inflated three times with 1 minute intervals."
"In the 1-minute automatic cycle mode, the Welch Allyn Vital Signs Monitor will automatically take blood pressure measurements in 1-minute intervals for up to 15 minutes." -Welch Allyn Vital Signs Monitor Operator's Manual
Here are a couple of quotes...
"Blood pressure will also be measured in all subjects by qualified nursing staff using a tabletop sphygmomanometer with an appropriate-size arm cuff. Three readings will be taken using the right arm at 1-minute intervals after subjects have rested for at least 5 minutes; systolic and diastolic blood pressure will be calculated as the average of the second and third readings."
"Blood pressure was measured using an oscillometric method, and the cuff was inflated three times with 1 minute intervals."
"In the 1-minute automatic cycle mode, the Welch Allyn Vital Signs Monitor will automatically take blood pressure measurements in 1-minute intervals for up to 15 minutes." -Welch Allyn Vital Signs Monitor Operator's Manual
alptraum
09-03-2004, 04:04 AM
Well regardless of equipment, just because a few studies do it does not neccesarily make it a good thing. Not everything in journals is neccesarily good work, depends largely on the specific journal, who refereed it, etc. The problem is compounded now with lots of people directly reporting to the public, or publishing on the internet, their studies before getting it reviewed by a recognized journal.
Regardless of anything though, all your really doing taking your bp that often is making yourself that much more anxious about it all. Looking at all your posts, it obviously doesn't reassure you or make you feel better or anything, if anything it's just making the problem worse.
Regardless of anything though, all your really doing taking your bp that often is making yourself that much more anxious about it all. Looking at all your posts, it obviously doesn't reassure you or make you feel better or anything, if anything it's just making the problem worse.