naes
11-12-2004, 04:27 AM
Hi,
I went to the doctor almost a year ago because I was sick and while I was there, they checked my blood pressure. While the nurse was strapping on the cuff I was getting very anxious about my BP because it had been so long since I had last checked it. This shot my BP up and the nurses were kinda shocked. They shrugged it off and said watch it at home because I am more comfortable there. So that's what I did and ever since I've tested my BP nearly everyday. My BP is normal, but I just can't seem to get that through my head. I get good results and just have to keep doing it and 1 hour later I do it again like I'm afraid its going to go sky high without me knowing or something. I feel satisfied after getting a good reading, but it doesn't last.
I am also kind of worried about exercising because I am afraid it will raise my BP too high. :S
I'm 17. I feel like I can hold my ground with many issues and stay calm in frightening situations and things like that, but this is like my weak spot. I don't think others would expect me to be like this with this sort of thing.
Any help with this?
I went to the doctor almost a year ago because I was sick and while I was there, they checked my blood pressure. While the nurse was strapping on the cuff I was getting very anxious about my BP because it had been so long since I had last checked it. This shot my BP up and the nurses were kinda shocked. They shrugged it off and said watch it at home because I am more comfortable there. So that's what I did and ever since I've tested my BP nearly everyday. My BP is normal, but I just can't seem to get that through my head. I get good results and just have to keep doing it and 1 hour later I do it again like I'm afraid its going to go sky high without me knowing or something. I feel satisfied after getting a good reading, but it doesn't last.
I am also kind of worried about exercising because I am afraid it will raise my BP too high. :S
I'm 17. I feel like I can hold my ground with many issues and stay calm in frightening situations and things like that, but this is like my weak spot. I don't think others would expect me to be like this with this sort of thing.
Any help with this?
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hry33
11-12-2004, 09:32 AM
very high PB at the doctors office is common and is allowed for
this trap of checking the PB too often is common, do try to only check it once a week
also daily monitoring of heartbeat, pulse, etc is a trap that makes you too aware of your body and always adds to anxiety
our bodies know how to work without any help from us and actually woirk best when ignored :jester:
this trap of checking the PB too often is common, do try to only check it once a week
also daily monitoring of heartbeat, pulse, etc is a trap that makes you too aware of your body and always adds to anxiety
our bodies know how to work without any help from us and actually woirk best when ignored :jester:
bm28
11-12-2004, 05:43 PM
If you have high blood pressure it will be high most all of the time. Do you know what the bottom number was? The top number can be affected by being nervous, drinking coffee, etc. but if the bottom number is high too then that is usually something to be concerned with. Exercising will raise your heart rate while you are exercising but it actually helps lower blood pressure by making your heart stronger. It is extremely common for blood pressure to rise in the presence of a doctor; especially if you're OCD.
naes
11-12-2004, 10:59 PM
Well, I get normal readings when I'm actually calm about it. 100-118/60-75. When I am worried the diastolic usually doesn't change much, but it can go up to like 78-80 sometimes, but 95% of the time diastolic is in the 60s.
Systolic varies quite a lot. Even when I'm nervous, it's usually below 130. It does go higher than 130, but only when pretty nervous or worked up. When at the doctors, it was 140/80.
One moment I get 112/59 and the next I get 122/63. Which is it? Anything more than 115 makes me upset. I would like to have my friends take their BP just to see what theres is at times, but I am too afraid to ask and I'm too afraid that their BPs will be excellent all the time :S.
Thanks for your replies so far :)
Systolic varies quite a lot. Even when I'm nervous, it's usually below 130. It does go higher than 130, but only when pretty nervous or worked up. When at the doctors, it was 140/80.
One moment I get 112/59 and the next I get 122/63. Which is it? Anything more than 115 makes me upset. I would like to have my friends take their BP just to see what theres is at times, but I am too afraid to ask and I'm too afraid that their BPs will be excellent all the time :S.
Thanks for your replies so far :)
bm28
11-13-2004, 10:09 PM
Okay, well according to what my Dr. says, you definitely DO NOT have high blood pressure. I have high blood pressure and I am only 28, don't smoke, I exercise and weigh 110. Some people just have it. All of those readings that you have sound very ideal to me. Even on my BP medication I get a diastolic reading in the 80 range. If yours is usually in the 60 range that is excellent; don't worry.
naes
11-14-2004, 05:43 AM
Thanks for that info bm28 :)
It seems like when I'm nervous my diastolic is pretty random, many times showing up in 60s but other times 70s but rarely >80 (and if so, always less than 85). I hope that is still okay. Even the slightest worry about BP jumps the systolic up pretty easy. That's what I think is keeping me measuring all the time -- I have anxiety while testing, but then I take the results I get literal during those times. Sometimes the axiety isn't too obvious (like just maybe a little butterfly in the stomach feeling while inflating the cuff or maybe coming off an anxiety high?)
So, I'm not _sure_ about the anxiety hypothesis I just mentioned so I continue to test in hopes I will someday just get good readings back to back no matter what, I guess. :(
About you -- Does your family have a history of high bp or heart disease? Surpising you have high BP at that age and that weight. What's your diet like? I'm really interested in why people get high blood pressure. I know doctors just "don't know why" and call it essential hypertension. There's gotta be a reason! Maybe science will uncover it someday.
It seems like when I'm nervous my diastolic is pretty random, many times showing up in 60s but other times 70s but rarely >80 (and if so, always less than 85). I hope that is still okay. Even the slightest worry about BP jumps the systolic up pretty easy. That's what I think is keeping me measuring all the time -- I have anxiety while testing, but then I take the results I get literal during those times. Sometimes the axiety isn't too obvious (like just maybe a little butterfly in the stomach feeling while inflating the cuff or maybe coming off an anxiety high?)
So, I'm not _sure_ about the anxiety hypothesis I just mentioned so I continue to test in hopes I will someday just get good readings back to back no matter what, I guess. :(
About you -- Does your family have a history of high bp or heart disease? Surpising you have high BP at that age and that weight. What's your diet like? I'm really interested in why people get high blood pressure. I know doctors just "don't know why" and call it essential hypertension. There's gotta be a reason! Maybe science will uncover it someday.
bm28
11-14-2004, 07:05 PM
Yep, my dad has heart disease and has had it since he was in this thirties. My diet is very good and my cholesterol readings are good: Total 132 (supposed to be under 200) High 48 (supposed to be above 35) Low 74 (supposed to be below 130) They just don't know why some people have it. It is rare though for someone my age, weight etc. to have it but nonetheless, it does happen.
It sounds like you are doing good. Question: do you also have OCD? Just curious as to why you're posting on this board and not the BP board.
It sounds like you are doing good. Question: do you also have OCD? Just curious as to why you're posting on this board and not the BP board.
naes
11-14-2004, 10:01 PM
Yeah, I guess I have OCD with this BP monitoring. I do post on the BP forum as well. Here, I am mainly looking for support as to how to get off the monitoring... something that will help me believe I have normal BP and to get off.
Like right now, about 30 minutes ago I checked my BP and it was 112/61. Now, I am worried about it again thinking it might be high. High BP has no symptoms and I think that is why I freak out so much. I guess what I need to do is 1) start exercising and 2) eat clean.
I fear exercising, though (while I am doing it, I'm not as feared, though.. so, that's good). I will go and play basket ball with friends or something, but when it comes to like running on a treadmill I get worried that I am going to stress myself and have some chest pain and then have a heart attack and do permanent damage to my body. Also, I fear that I will not getting any results from it (like lower HR and overall lower BP while doing any task). :(
Man, you are healthy! Good cholestorol, good weight, pretty young, eat well, but high BP.... that would make me pissed. Are you an uptight person? Maybe there is something in your diet that you eat regularly that makes your body react this way? I really hope science figures this whole BP thing out. Maybe someday hypertension won't be. :) We really lack knowledge about our bodies.
Like right now, about 30 minutes ago I checked my BP and it was 112/61. Now, I am worried about it again thinking it might be high. High BP has no symptoms and I think that is why I freak out so much. I guess what I need to do is 1) start exercising and 2) eat clean.
I fear exercising, though (while I am doing it, I'm not as feared, though.. so, that's good). I will go and play basket ball with friends or something, but when it comes to like running on a treadmill I get worried that I am going to stress myself and have some chest pain and then have a heart attack and do permanent damage to my body. Also, I fear that I will not getting any results from it (like lower HR and overall lower BP while doing any task). :(
Man, you are healthy! Good cholestorol, good weight, pretty young, eat well, but high BP.... that would make me pissed. Are you an uptight person? Maybe there is something in your diet that you eat regularly that makes your body react this way? I really hope science figures this whole BP thing out. Maybe someday hypertension won't be. :) We really lack knowledge about our bodies.
siren1024
11-15-2004, 12:27 AM
I have OCD and Mitral Valve Prolapse (a minor heart murmer) that definitely makes anxiety worse for purely chemical reasons. It causes heart palpitations which causes huge anxiety, which can eventually lead to panic attacks. I kind of chuckled when I read this post, because once I went to the ER with PVC's (bad but harmless palpitations) that were causing a panic attack, chest pain, the works. This had all happened before, but I still get convinced that I'm going to have a heart attack and die. Anyway, at the ER my bp (which usually runs 100/60) was 157/85. The docs dismissed it as anxiety related (which it was. The ekg showed how big my pvc's were, and that can cause huge anxiety and bp) but me being OCD had to monitor it all the time for weeks. LOL. I would take it over and over and over. It was always normal. I eventually gave the BP cuff back to my mom (who I'd borrowed it from) and forced myself to get over it. I still worried about it for weeks after I returned the cuff, but over time it got less and less frequent.
But you aren't alone! I've definitely been there! :)
But you aren't alone! I've definitely been there! :)
naes
11-15-2004, 12:50 AM
I have OCD and Mitral Valve Prolapse (a minor heart murmer) that definitely makes anxiety worse for purely chemical reasons. It causes heart palpitations which causes huge anxiety, which can eventually lead to panic attacks. I kind of chuckled when I read this post, because once I went to the ER with PVC's (bad but harmless palpitations) that were causing a panic attack, chest pain, the works. This had all happened before, but I still get convinced that I'm going to have a heart attack and die. Anyway, at the ER my bp (which usually runs 100/60) was 157/85. The docs dismissed it as anxiety related (which it was. The ekg showed how big my pvc's were, and that can cause huge anxiety and bp) but me being OCD had to monitor it all the time for weeks. LOL. I would take it over and over and over. It was always normal. I eventually gave the BP cuff back to my mom (who I'd borrowed it from) and forced myself to get over it. I still worried about it for weeks after I returned the cuff, but over time it got less and less frequent.
But you aren't alone! I've definitely been there! :)
:) Glad I'm not alone with this.
Was it _always_ normal? Was it normal even when being anxious? (mine usually is "normal" when being slightly anxious, but not as low as it is when I'm not). I get highish readings when I am pretty anxious or after some sort of exertion and I'm just wondering if it was like that for you to or were you never worried at home? :) When I haven't tested in like more than a day and I go to sit down and test I feel very anxious and many times (but not all the time which is weird) it will be as high as 145/80 (though usually not that high), but then quickly drop to around 120/75 and below and stay that way as long as I don't feel worried. Gah, that sounds so normal when I typed it but I just can't seem to put that freakin' thing away for good and stop worrying about it. When I get to the point where I do that and like a year later check back up on my BP and become very anxious before doing it and it is high because of the worry, I'm sure I'll have to keep taking my BP for months again and have to get over it again :P
Thanks for all your replies so far, they've been great! :D
But you aren't alone! I've definitely been there! :)
:) Glad I'm not alone with this.
Was it _always_ normal? Was it normal even when being anxious? (mine usually is "normal" when being slightly anxious, but not as low as it is when I'm not). I get highish readings when I am pretty anxious or after some sort of exertion and I'm just wondering if it was like that for you to or were you never worried at home? :) When I haven't tested in like more than a day and I go to sit down and test I feel very anxious and many times (but not all the time which is weird) it will be as high as 145/80 (though usually not that high), but then quickly drop to around 120/75 and below and stay that way as long as I don't feel worried. Gah, that sounds so normal when I typed it but I just can't seem to put that freakin' thing away for good and stop worrying about it. When I get to the point where I do that and like a year later check back up on my BP and become very anxious before doing it and it is high because of the worry, I'm sure I'll have to keep taking my BP for months again and have to get over it again :P
Thanks for all your replies so far, they've been great! :D
siren1024
11-15-2004, 01:08 AM
Yeah, it was slightly higher when I was anxious or when having palpitations, it would go up quite a bit. Hence the drive to keep retesting!! I have had to tell myself repeatedly "MVP WON'T kill me!" I have also learned to "fight off" panic attacks when my heart feels funny by reminding myself over and over that the doctors all say "this is not deadly, just annoying." And changing my environment, doing something else, etc.
I have a milder form of OCD, I believe. Alot of my more disruptive behaviors I have been able to force myself out of or keep hidden (ever since childhood) and I bet you noone but my husband and my mom (who has alot of the same tendencies) even know I have any ''wierdness" about me. But getting rid of the cuff was the first step cause I just couldn't have it there and not use it all the time. I also go through phases where I take my pulse constantly. I have a rapid heartbeat because of the MVP, once again made worse by anxiety! Oddly enough, my mom also does the BP and the pulse thing. I love my mom, but never thought I'd turn out just like her!
But I definitely share your heart fears. I don't think I ever would've had them if it hadn't been for me becoming symptomatic in college and getting the MVP diagnosis. I had a doctor tell me once "The heart is NOT a fragile organ. Don't let yourself believe it is. It is durable, made to withstand heavy excersise, labor, and stress. It will not just stop on you one day!" This has helped me alot. I keep telling myself over and over again when I start to worry about it. My OCD has made me a slight hypochondriac. My husband thinks I'm nuts and worry entirely too much. LOL. He's right, I guess. I'm glad he loves me anyway, and is a balancing influence on me.
My advice: Don't live alone with this. I did for 20 years. (I'm 24 and had many compulsive behaviors since childhood that I've broken.) Yes, network with other OCD'rs so you know you're not alone and your not crazy. But also tell someone who loves you who isn't OCD. They will be able to keep you in check. I was always worried my husband would think I was crazy, so I hid alot from him. But he had picked up on many things and when I finally confessed to him that I thought I was OCD, he was like "yeah, I could've told you that!!!'' LOL. Ever since then he's been a very stabelizing influence on me when it comes to irrational fears and worries that I used to keep locked in my own head. Yes, I get angry at him at times for not taking me seriously, but then when I try to look objectively at the situation, I'm like "he's right and he shouldn't take me seriously! That's one stupid fear I've been stressing about for hours!!!"
I have a milder form of OCD, I believe. Alot of my more disruptive behaviors I have been able to force myself out of or keep hidden (ever since childhood) and I bet you noone but my husband and my mom (who has alot of the same tendencies) even know I have any ''wierdness" about me. But getting rid of the cuff was the first step cause I just couldn't have it there and not use it all the time. I also go through phases where I take my pulse constantly. I have a rapid heartbeat because of the MVP, once again made worse by anxiety! Oddly enough, my mom also does the BP and the pulse thing. I love my mom, but never thought I'd turn out just like her!
But I definitely share your heart fears. I don't think I ever would've had them if it hadn't been for me becoming symptomatic in college and getting the MVP diagnosis. I had a doctor tell me once "The heart is NOT a fragile organ. Don't let yourself believe it is. It is durable, made to withstand heavy excersise, labor, and stress. It will not just stop on you one day!" This has helped me alot. I keep telling myself over and over again when I start to worry about it. My OCD has made me a slight hypochondriac. My husband thinks I'm nuts and worry entirely too much. LOL. He's right, I guess. I'm glad he loves me anyway, and is a balancing influence on me.
My advice: Don't live alone with this. I did for 20 years. (I'm 24 and had many compulsive behaviors since childhood that I've broken.) Yes, network with other OCD'rs so you know you're not alone and your not crazy. But also tell someone who loves you who isn't OCD. They will be able to keep you in check. I was always worried my husband would think I was crazy, so I hid alot from him. But he had picked up on many things and when I finally confessed to him that I thought I was OCD, he was like "yeah, I could've told you that!!!'' LOL. Ever since then he's been a very stabelizing influence on me when it comes to irrational fears and worries that I used to keep locked in my own head. Yes, I get angry at him at times for not taking me seriously, but then when I try to look objectively at the situation, I'm like "he's right and he shouldn't take me seriously! That's one stupid fear I've been stressing about for hours!!!"
naes
11-15-2004, 04:30 AM
Thanks siren1024 and bm28. You both have been great. :D
Sunlover
11-17-2004, 07:51 PM
You DO NOT have high blood pressure!! I'm on medication and normally get around 135/86 or so. (at the docs I get around 150/100) - well, I'm older than you, but even younger I was higher than you.
I totally understand that checking and rechecking thing though!! I don't do it with blood pressure, but I worry about all aspects of my health (except my heart, isn't that weird??) - but I'll check, then think, "Hmm, maybe I wasn't standing in exactly the same place and that threw it off" (if I was doing an eye check or something that would require a certain postion), then I'd do it again knowing I was in the exact position, then 5 minutes later I'd think, "I still could have been a little off, let me do it again" until I'm a nervous wreck! And the only way to stop the building anxiety is to do it just "one more time". Or if I had a spot on my arm, I'd get a ruler to make sure it's not getting bigger (maybe it's blood poisoning), I'd measure it, then remeasure thinking I slanted the ruler wrong and on and on it goes!
I totally understand that checking and rechecking thing though!! I don't do it with blood pressure, but I worry about all aspects of my health (except my heart, isn't that weird??) - but I'll check, then think, "Hmm, maybe I wasn't standing in exactly the same place and that threw it off" (if I was doing an eye check or something that would require a certain postion), then I'd do it again knowing I was in the exact position, then 5 minutes later I'd think, "I still could have been a little off, let me do it again" until I'm a nervous wreck! And the only way to stop the building anxiety is to do it just "one more time". Or if I had a spot on my arm, I'd get a ruler to make sure it's not getting bigger (maybe it's blood poisoning), I'd measure it, then remeasure thinking I slanted the ruler wrong and on and on it goes!