stress & high bp readings, help please - High & Low Blood Pressure Message Board

mariazzzz · 09-03-2004, 12:31 PM

Hi, I am new to this board. Here goes. Doctor appt. about a month ago for routine physical. Bp was about 150/? (sorry, can't remember) Doctor wants me to monitor bp for a while. I am extremely anxious and probably should be on a medication for that itself. I have health anxiety also. So, just hearing that I may have a problem with high bp I am now even nervous just thinking about having a reading taken. I have had high readings at the nurse visits and even the grocery store machine since. (ex. 142/82, 148/99, 160/96(doctor visit and noticibly stressed at that time), 140/96etc) So, I bought a wrist monitor to check at home, readings were ex. 133/86, 122/72/ 124/83) lower but not all that great. Back to doctor for a sore throat(bp by nurse 164/107) and I was told the wrist monitors are not accurate (even though the nurse checked it with her reading and it was almost the sam) so I bought an arm monitor. Readings at home flutcutate from 149/91, 133/85, down to 129/82) Why so much fluctation and how do I know if the stress of worrying is causing my bp to be high or if it is really high? I've never had really low readings, I think my lowest was about 120/80 but never over 13?/? before all this but I wish I was back at that reading. I am so scared just thinking about the consequences of high bp and also scared of the side effects of the drugs to treat it after reading some of the posts here. Can some one help me? Anyone ever lower there bp without having to take meds? How do I relax and some good readings so I don't have to go on the drugs? Please, I get nervous when I have to take antibotics, this will put me over the edge. Any advice would be Greatly Appreciated. Thank you so much, Maria

mariazzzz · 09-04-2004, 01:22 PM

Doesn't anyone have any input for me?! Maria

zuzu8 · 09-04-2004, 03:12 PM

Maria,

It's always upsetting when we're told our blood pressure "needs watching".
I remember I flew into a tizzy after years of feeling totally invulnerable.

Your readings are labile...some in the normal- but- "pre-hypertension" range, a few would be stage 1 hypertension. This doesn't mean you're going to keel over any minute, nor does it mean any damage has been done yet. It simply means you need to adopt some lifestyle changes to see if you can get your #s down.

Often genetics plays a big role in this and changing diet, stress reduction, stopping smoking, reducing weight (if overweight), regular exercise, reducing sodium intake and lowering alcohol consumption aren't enough.

BUT the very good news is that often they are!

Please read the thread:How soon should lifestyle changes take effect? posted by Resonate. I posted some tips there plus a link to info on how to bring your BP down without meds. Take a look.

Hope some of the information helps.

zuzu xxx

mariazzzz · 09-04-2004, 03:18 PM

Thanks, I'll take a look. I'm a little worried because I'm not overweight, don't smoke or drink, don't think I use too much salt. I do have a lot of stress and I don't exercise though. I Really don't want to go on medication. Thanks, Maria

little hamster · 09-04-2004, 11:19 PM

Hi maria

I have a similar story to share with you. Recently, my mom was also diagnosed with high blood pressure but was not extremely high. Only moderately high, about 140 or something? anyway she took captopril and immediately felt better. When she don't sometimes she get dizzy spells again. I think it is important to not stop your anti-hypertensive drugs w/o doctor "okay". Maybe you can reduce your stress by excercising, doing deep breathing, thinking positively, getting emotional supports from your loved ones. That should help i hope. And my mom also takes alot of fruit juices like carrot, apples, vegetables, celery...etc. They help to reduce blood pressure. She also drink green tea, i don't know if that does help but she felt it does help a little. The green tea she drinks had an indication that says can control high blood pressure. By the way my mom doesn't smoke or drink or excercise either, except a 10mins walk every morning. But she have a lot of stress at work too. Forgot to mention that hypertension is also link with genetic, my grandfather (maternal side) died of a stroke and he had hypertension too. There is no absolute cure,but can be controlled.
Take care