Hi Junior,

You seem to be so anxious about your blood pressure. I was also like that, especially after my stroke. I was affraid to put on that darn cuff. My sister gave me a little tip that has helped me. Before you take the pressure, sit at the table for at least five minutes inhaling deeply, hold for 5 seconds and blow out saying the word "one". I hope this helps you. :)

I've never had a first reading lower than 155/95, even after sitting down and watching TV all evening. It really sucks that I don't know the exact cause of those high readings, especially the very high readings when I was a teen. There was no cause for anxiety back then. So, I'm really confused and scared to get my heart thoroughly checked now. I don't exactly want the doctor to tell me that at 27 years old, my heart is enlarged and that I will start having heart failure at 40. I just wish I was normal.

1st of all relax. Get the tests run. Find out if there is a secondary cause. You are jumping to conclusions. I feel that anxiety is taking control of your mind. I understand, because I didn't have anxiety until I went to the doc. & had every test run. Everything was fine with all of the tests. For all that you know, everything is fine & maybe you just have an anxiety issue. Go to the doctor & don't stress it. You will feel better after you know the results. I know my results after putting it off for 10 years (from 23-33). It has cured my white coat syndrome & has made me doubt whether I should be on b/p meds in the 1st place. I take anxiety meds. everyday now with the b/p meds., but I want another opinion at this point. I know that my b/p gets too low after logging it for 18 months. Get a full CBC, metabolic panel, thryoid test, EKG, chest xray & get them to test for pheochromocytoma.

I actually got the blood tests, TSH, etc, twice! All normal. I even got 2 EKG's and a chest X-Ray. My EKG's were apparently normal, although my heart rate was so fast due to nervousness (135 BPM), that I don't know how they would have picked up anything. I assume that the chest x-ray turned out to be normal. I sure as heck hope the doc would have picked up an enlarged heart, even though he's an emergency clinic doc.

I doubt that I have a pheochromocytoma because one of the major symptoms of this is sweating, and I don't sweat much. And my BP would be MUCH higher than 155/85.

But, all your advice is something to consider! Thank you very much!