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View Full Version : Anyone know much about blood pressure?


 

 

 
binkyholder
10-16-2006, 08:43 PM
Hello,

I'm 41, not overweight. Went to the doc today and had BP checked. Was 146/75. Doctor said it was slightly elevated, but could be b/c of coffee or salt in my diet.

I remember a few years ago my BP was 126/70.

Should I be concerned about this reading?

TIA

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Toneman
10-16-2006, 10:18 PM
A blood pressure of 146/75 would be considered stage 1 hypertensive, normally treated with lifestye changes and diet, possibly also with medication. However, a couple of things to consider, first is that it could be "White Coat Syndrome" meaning you are a little tense at your dioctor's office so the reading is high. I have this problem and my pressure is always higher when taken at the doctor's office. Also, it is your systolic number (top number) that is high which could be the result of being in a hurry or feeling rushed. For example, if you were hurried into the room and you were not allowed a couple of minutes before your blood pressure was taken, your systolic reading could be high. Normally, a doctor will want to see two or three readings before they will call it high blood pressure.

Overall, a one time reading like this is normally not a big issue, and even these numbers are not horribly high, high normal (pre-hypertensive) is 139/89. You may want to measure it at home, there are several devices on the market to monitor your blood pressure. All types of gadgets ranging from the manually units like your doctor uses to electronic and digital units that you put on and a press a button and the monitor does the rest. Just stay away from the finger units, they are less accurate. Also, if you opt for a wrist unit get a good one like an Omron brand with APS that will make sure the monitor is in the right position before it reads your pressure.

Good Luck,

Tony

binkyholder
10-17-2006, 12:51 AM
Thank you for the information Tony.

I will take your advice.

Deb

Lenin
10-17-2006, 10:05 AM
Deb,

Tony covered all the bases.
I'd only add the recommendation to test twice a day for a month (with an arm cuff rather than a wrist monitor) while seated scomfortably for 5 minutes. The average of the 60 readings can be considered your TRUE blood pressure.





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