acp44
06-23-2007, 05:54 PM
Folks,
1. How fast does high blood pressure show up? I keep hearing from doctors, "Blood pressure CREEPS up with age," yet others on this board imply that one day they woke up and had permanent high blood pressure. Curious about your experiences, as my understanding is it rises steadily (IF you don't address it!) and then sort of plateaus at a high defined level.
2. I am also confused about when high blood pressure IS high blood pressure. Again, doctors tell me that its when it STAYS high, which implies that all readings (until treatment starts) are consistently high. But others here seem to suggest that they have high blood pressure, but then report dips into the 120s/80s, or lower etc. I am really curious about this since my own yo-yos so much.
Thanks.
acp
1. How fast does high blood pressure show up? I keep hearing from doctors, "Blood pressure CREEPS up with age," yet others on this board imply that one day they woke up and had permanent high blood pressure. Curious about your experiences, as my understanding is it rises steadily (IF you don't address it!) and then sort of plateaus at a high defined level.
2. I am also confused about when high blood pressure IS high blood pressure. Again, doctors tell me that its when it STAYS high, which implies that all readings (until treatment starts) are consistently high. But others here seem to suggest that they have high blood pressure, but then report dips into the 120s/80s, or lower etc. I am really curious about this since my own yo-yos so much.
Thanks.
acp
Sponsor
bethsheba
06-25-2007, 11:37 PM
Acp,
How "fast blood pressure shows up" is somewhat dependent on the cause of the hypertension. Primary hypertension, which is high blood pressure that has no known cause, is said to creep up gradually over the years. Secondary hypertenison, where the cause can be identified (kidney abnormalities, adrenal gland tumors, or congenital heart problems, medication responses), tends to appear suddenly and the pressures tend to be higher than those of primary hypertension.
2. I am also confused about when high blood pressure IS high blood pressure. Again, doctors tell me that its when it STAYS high, which implies that all readings (until treatment starts) are consistently high. But others here seem to suggest that they have high blood pressure, but then report dips into the 120s/80s, or lower etc. I am really curious about this since my own yo-yos so much.
It has been difficult for the medical community to "define" high blood pressure because of the fluctuations that those with normal blood pressure and those with high blood pressure experience. The current accepted guidelines are 120/80 for "healthy" individuals---some polulations have higher acceptable readings (diabetics, for example). But during the course of a day people with acceptable normal blood pressure and people diagnosed with high blood pressure fluctuate off and on into normal and high ranges. If that's the case, why are some people diagnosed with "high" blood pressure when those with "normal" blood pressure have highs and lows, too? It's because people with high blood pressure tend to fluctuate more widely(a difference of between 60-80mmHg within a few minutes for example), and their numbers stay higher longer than someone with normal pressures.
Some people think they have white coat syndrome or cuff anxiety because they have low numbers at home. Low numbers are not an accurate reflection of blood pressure! What may be more important is a consistant reading of low numbers, little fluctuation between readings, fewer swings. But the doctor's office cannot monitor over a period of time so they use the 120/80 guideline..unless they use a 24 hour monitor or do a stress test.
Bsheba
How "fast blood pressure shows up" is somewhat dependent on the cause of the hypertension. Primary hypertension, which is high blood pressure that has no known cause, is said to creep up gradually over the years. Secondary hypertenison, where the cause can be identified (kidney abnormalities, adrenal gland tumors, or congenital heart problems, medication responses), tends to appear suddenly and the pressures tend to be higher than those of primary hypertension.
2. I am also confused about when high blood pressure IS high blood pressure. Again, doctors tell me that its when it STAYS high, which implies that all readings (until treatment starts) are consistently high. But others here seem to suggest that they have high blood pressure, but then report dips into the 120s/80s, or lower etc. I am really curious about this since my own yo-yos so much.
It has been difficult for the medical community to "define" high blood pressure because of the fluctuations that those with normal blood pressure and those with high blood pressure experience. The current accepted guidelines are 120/80 for "healthy" individuals---some polulations have higher acceptable readings (diabetics, for example). But during the course of a day people with acceptable normal blood pressure and people diagnosed with high blood pressure fluctuate off and on into normal and high ranges. If that's the case, why are some people diagnosed with "high" blood pressure when those with "normal" blood pressure have highs and lows, too? It's because people with high blood pressure tend to fluctuate more widely(a difference of between 60-80mmHg within a few minutes for example), and their numbers stay higher longer than someone with normal pressures.
Some people think they have white coat syndrome or cuff anxiety because they have low numbers at home. Low numbers are not an accurate reflection of blood pressure! What may be more important is a consistant reading of low numbers, little fluctuation between readings, fewer swings. But the doctor's office cannot monitor over a period of time so they use the 120/80 guideline..unless they use a 24 hour monitor or do a stress test.
Bsheba
acp44
06-26-2007, 12:23 AM
So "high" vs. "normal" blood pressure is defined by the extent of the swings and fluctuations? Is there a cutoff re how many % points? Mine can be as low as 116 or as high as 145 (the diastolic never varies much, always from 72-78).
I know that everyone's blood pressure fluctuates depending on exercise, emotions, etc. Just curious how one separates high from normal...
I know that everyone's blood pressure fluctuates depending on exercise, emotions, etc. Just curious how one separates high from normal...
acp44
06-26-2007, 12:26 AM
Acp,
..unless they use a 24 hour monitor or do a stress test.
Bsheba
Just out of curiousity, how would a stress test be used to determine whether you have high or normal blood pressure? I had one 5 years ago which said I had a "hypertensive BP response." I had another a few months ago which said I had a normal response...
..unless they use a 24 hour monitor or do a stress test.
Bsheba
Just out of curiousity, how would a stress test be used to determine whether you have high or normal blood pressure? I had one 5 years ago which said I had a "hypertensive BP response." I had another a few months ago which said I had a normal response...
penybobeny
06-27-2007, 01:03 PM
Hi there, just going to toss in my two cents worth...
Generally, high BP is anything over 140/90... and I have had many a DR who has told me that they care very little for the upper number, it is the lower number that they concentrate on so a reading of 145/80 might not raise concern where a reading of 130/95 might.
What many DR's will do is take into consideration overall health, medications and so forth when determining if they want to start treating for HBP or just monitor it to see if stress at home or work, other conditions you are having at that time or medications might be contributing.
I keep a BP diary and take it with me to the DR (a word of caution here, many DR's take home monitoring with a grain of salt and not as the gospel) because my BP will fluctuate all over the place with some readings in the normal spectrum and others going as high as 218/150 (went to 160/99 within 20 minutes).
Generally, high BP is anything over 140/90... and I have had many a DR who has told me that they care very little for the upper number, it is the lower number that they concentrate on so a reading of 145/80 might not raise concern where a reading of 130/95 might.
What many DR's will do is take into consideration overall health, medications and so forth when determining if they want to start treating for HBP or just monitor it to see if stress at home or work, other conditions you are having at that time or medications might be contributing.
I keep a BP diary and take it with me to the DR (a word of caution here, many DR's take home monitoring with a grain of salt and not as the gospel) because my BP will fluctuate all over the place with some readings in the normal spectrum and others going as high as 218/150 (went to 160/99 within 20 minutes).
birdmom
06-27-2007, 01:30 PM
acp44, mine crept up gradually for about a year. Last Sept it was 168/120 and my doctor immediately put me on meds, Lotrel. I went out and joined weight watchers that week because I was overweight. So far it has gone to normal range but I don't know if that's the 50lb weight loss or the meds. I think I'm stuck on the Lotrel for life though since hbp runs in the family and my mom was diagnosed with it in her late 30's, I am 42. My mom is skinny so it's not her weight.