bethsheba

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.

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