Which BP reading is correct? - High & Low Blood Pressure Message Board

sndsysltd · 11-12-2004, 02:13 PM

I was asked by my Physician to monitor my BP at work(white coat). It never fails, when I take it, the first reading is higher. Normally the first one will be something like 138/85 +/-....If I wait a couple of minutes it will be in the range of128/82 +/-. I'll sometimes take it three of four times a couple of minutes apart. It's never the same, but the last two or three are always lower than the first. I've even tried waiting a couple of minutes before the first test and it's still higher. Thoughts? How do you determine which to use?
This is early in the A.M. at my office. If I take it at home in the evenings it's even lower, around 120/78

Random2 · 11-12-2004, 03:02 PM

Perfectly normal. You sound exactly like me. It will usually be lower at night for most people. The 1st reading is higher, because of anxiety+. No worries. I usually average the 2nd & 3rd readings.

sndsysltd · 11-12-2004, 03:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lillians Axe

Perfectly normal. You sound exactly like me. It will usually be lower at night for most people. The 1st reading is higher, because of anxiety+. No worries. I usually average the 2nd & 3rd readings.

Thanks. I didn't realize how much you BP fluctuates. I still don't understand how they can say your have high blood pressure if it's not high all the time.
If I'm running around the office or having a conversation on the phone, it might be over 140 a couple of readings. My Dr. is concerned about a half dozen readings of 140 and 141 systolic when the many dozen others are less.
Makes no since, guess that's why I'm not a Dr.

zuzu8 · 11-12-2004, 03:43 PM

I agree with Lillian's Axe. The very first reading for many, if not most people is always higher than the subsequent readings done in one sitting. (probably a little anxiety coupled with the "oddness" of feeling the initial cuff inflation.)

Like Axe, I take three readings (two minutes apart). THROW OUT THE FIRST ONE, then average the last two.

[By the way, a lot of people get slightly different average readings between one arm or the other. If this is the case, most doctors suggest picking the arm that give the HIGHER readings in general and staying with that arm only, to monitor your BP over time.]

Sounds like you're FINE though.

zuzu xx

zuzu8 · 11-12-2004, 03:51 PM

Sndsysltd,

BP is supposed to fluctuate all day. True hypertension is diagnosed only when your BP is elevated and stays elevated even at rest and while relaxed. It's the sustained high numbers that are cause for concern.

zuzu xx