Yesterday, I woke up with the worst panic attack ever. My blood pressure was 157/87 and I freaked out. Please note, I only got two hours sleep the night before because of constant panic attacks. Throughout the day, I checked my blood pressure (I must have did it 40 times). My diastolic was in a much more higher range while my systolic was fine. 130/100, 127/99 and 140/101 were common yesterday. When I was laying down, it was 118/83 (usually it's much lower than that when I'm laying down.) My panic attacks have seemed to have subsided today but I haven't checked it yet (I'm at work). Why is the diastolic in a red zone while my systolic is in the yellow?

Also, can not eating or sleeping cause a high blood pressure reading?

Desperate and depressed,
Nermal

Panic definitely causes a raise in bp - I panic about my bp - but usually both #'s go up. I'm sure some of the others on this board will have some good input.

Good luck!!

Hello Nermal,

I will tell you what my doctor said. He said that the more times you take your BP readings the more you will be worried about it the more you will raise it. He said that and I believe HIM because I used to measure my BP all the day as it's the only thing that I have to do it in the DAY. So I stoped taking readings because he said that my blood pressure is under control with medication (that was a long time ago) but I felt better when I take only 1 reading each week or so.

My point is try to relax and control your blood pressure with your Doctor then forget about taking 40 readings each day because this will make you more worry even if it's 127/87. If you are healthy and have no other health problems except High BP then I think that you don't have to take many readings as long as you know that your blood pressure is under control.
Good Luck
Michael

I take it that you are relatively young, in your 20s perhaps. Possibly, but less likely, in your 30s. The reason I say that is because having problems with a high diastolic is more common with young people. We "old folks" tend to have much more problem with systolic pressures. There can be exceptions, of course.

Yes, not eating and getting inadequate rest can both influence blood pressure. When I was totally stressed out and getting little sleep (some times only two or three hours a night) while I cared for my husband 24/7, I had to take BP meds for four years to get my BP under control. Several months after his death, when I had calmed down and started getting more sleep, I was able to reduce the medication. I was finally able to get off the meds entirely another year later.

As to eating, I have been recording my BP several times a day and noting how it related to meals, certain foods, etc. For me (and for many people), my BP tends to be highest first thing in the morning. I've discovered that the sooner I eat breakfast, the sooner my BP comes back down. And eating balanced meals throughout the day helps keep my BP under better control, too. Try eating regular balanced NUTRITIOUS meals, skip the junk food, try some deep breathing or progressive relaxation exercises before bedtime to try to get adequate sleep, and see if that doesn't help.

I concur with the two above posters. I became obessed with taking mine, doctor advised the same as Michael, to stop and only max of 3 times a day, it started going down, finally its normal and you don't take it every day. Uff is right in eating and BP, lack of sleep. Also noted to me by my psychiatrist over panic attacks, the hyperventilation syndrome with panic attacks (can't breathe, or rapid breathing) can keep BP levels elevated for up to 24 hrs from the attack.

Nermal,

First thing in the morning is a bad time to test. Most people get a spike in adrenal hormones which developed evolutionarily as the body's way of waking to danger if it was present. So most people (me included) get the highest resadings of the day immediately upon arising.

Never test the same arm without goving the artery several minutes to recover otherwise the second reading is untrustworthy.

A high diastolic and a normal systolic is the way young people exhibit hypertension. As we age the situation usually reverses itself (high systolic normal-low diastolic.) THis is a consequence of the loss of arterial flexibility.

Wait it out and see what the diastolic readings look like next week. If you consistently get diastolics over 90 then it's time for action.
High diastolic is oven a volume phenomenon...why not try a day or two of as little salt as humanly possible -aim for less than 1 gram sodium.

Uff-da, I'm 30. I realized that when I would go about my business and do things, then take my bp, it went down. I've upped my dosage in Zoloft hoping that would take care of the attacks. It seems I get a really bad attack and then I get little ones from then on. I'm still feeling "shaky" and nervous. I will try everything in my power to not take my bp too many times.

After taking my blood pressure, like 25 times yesterday, I noticed I stopped getting those scary 100 diastolic readings. Today, it's in the 90s. I did have one good one 108/83 but like I said that was when I was carrying on with my day-to-day chores and then I sat down to take it.

Because of the frequent panic attacks, I don't have much of an appetite but I when I do eat it is somewhat healthy (a sub from Subway?). I really appreciate your input and helping me with this. I'm getting panic attacks because of my blood pressure and my blood pressure readings are giving my panic attacks. What a vicious circle.

How much exercise do you get? It sounds to me like some extra exercise may help. Take a walk. Go to the gym. If you don't want to go out, pull the blinds, put on a CD and boogie around the house. Do calisthenics. Walk up and down the stairs ten times if you have a two-story house. Whatever turns you on. If just "doing things" helps, then additional exercise will probably help more.

Before my "attack of rages," I exercised religiously five days a week at 40 minutes for a brisk walk. I talk about what happened when I saw my doctor today in the post titled "Toprol and panic attacks?" if you're interested in replying. Today was the first day in a week a went for a walk around the neighborhood.