Anxiety? - High & Low Blood Pressure Message Board

dmc414 · 01-10-2007, 06:01 PM

I have white coat syndrome Or maybe it's anxiety as others have mentioned. My bp was doing fine until the day before I had a dr appointment. I fretted about it all day and when I went to the doctor, of course it was high. My anxiety stays with me then and my bp remains high, until I finally relax enough and forget about it. It seems that when I have an elevated bp, I can't stop thinking about it! The first "normal" reading I get does the trick and then the rest seem fine until something gets me anxious again! Then I can cruise along (with meds) until something else upsets me. I don't want to take an antianxiety med, but I worry myself into high numbers.
Any suggestions?

Barbara_Ann · 01-10-2007, 06:30 PM

I don't know what to suggest really but, I can relate.

When I was first diagnosed with hbp about 7 months ago it really threw me for a loop. I'm 60 and never ever had a health problem. It really frightened me to think I had become "unhealthy". Of course I'd heard all the warnings about the sileeeeeeeeeeent killer that combined with my lack of understanding about individuals and their bp range kept me in constant state of worry. Consequently mine would stayed up a lot.

Finally, after talking to a multitude of people and family members that have it I've found out I'm not unique, I'm gonna live, and even at it's highest half the people I work with are living with higher on no medication. At least we're being treated for it.

I also eat several foods and herbs that help to lower it in addition to meds.

dmc414 · 01-10-2007, 07:10 PM

Thanks Barb. It helps alot knowing that there is someone out there who understands! May I ask what foods and herbs you use, and how they help?
Thanks again,
Dottie

Lenin · 01-11-2007, 06:03 AM

Dottie,

You are in good company.
But I am buffaloed on any advice I can give because I am convinced that White Coat Syndrome is incurable.

Sara1978 · 01-11-2007, 08:18 AM

Hi there

I have exactly the same problem. I was actually recently sent to an internal medicine specialist for my high bp. I am 28 and while in the doctor's office my bp is ALWAYS high. I have been on medication for about 3 years. I have always taken my bp at home and have always gotten reasonably good numbers unless I am stressed about something. The internal medicine specialist had my do a 24 hour ambulatory bp measurement without medication to see what the actual average of my bp was. When I first got the device put on, the first reading it recorded was 174/112!!!! It subsequently went down over the rest of the day and my average for the whole 24 hours was 127/77! He told me that my GP shouldn't even be taking my bp in the office. He diagnosed me with having marked white coat hypertension. He said that as long as my bp doesn't stay elevated then it is okay. Sadly, when I went off my medication to take the test, I felt really horrible and elected to stay on it anyway. For me, I can really feel it when my bp spikes. My head starts spinning and it doesn't stop until what I have forgotten what I am stressed over. The medication stops these symptoms for me. I guess I just wanted to let you know that white coat hypertension does exist and there are physicians who do believe in it. Like Lenin said, there is no "cure" but as long as your average bp readings are good, you should be okay.