Fluctuating systolic, normal diastolic? - High & Low Blood Pressure Message Board

acp44 · 06-27-2007, 05:50 PM

Folks,

Does anyone know what makes systolic BP zig zag while diastolic barely moves at all? My readings have ranged from 116 systolic to a horrible 148 today in the last week, but the diastolic has always remained 71-75 range. I know I have bad anxiety problems, but I'm wondering now if there may be artery issues involved. I'd like to think at age 45 I don't yet have the arterial stiffness associated with rising systolic and falling diastolic.

This was truly depressing...after a week of slowly dropping readings, todays was 142/74, 15 minutes later 134/76, and 15 minutes later again 148/71! That last one especially has really freaked me out, and won't help the anxiety I'm sure.

acp

penybobeny · 06-27-2007, 08:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by acp44

This was truly depressing...after a week of slowly dropping readings, todays was 142/74, 15 minutes later 134/76, and 15 minutes later again 148/71! That last one especially has really freaked me out, and won't help the anxiety I'm sure.

acp

Acp, it might have been your anxiety that caused the raised numbers. If you get a higher than expected number again give yourself half an hour after checking the number a second time... it helps to remember that DR's tend to be more concerned by elevated diastolic than systolic.

Try keeping a diary of the time, any symptoms what you were doing before you take your BP...

Good luck

acp44 · 06-27-2007, 08:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by penybobeny

Acp, it might have been your anxiety that caused the raised numbers. If you get a higher than expected number again give yourself half an hour after checking the number a second time... it helps to remember that DR's tend to be more concerned by elevated diastolic than systolic.

Try keeping a diary of the time, any symptoms what you were doing before you take your BP...

Good luck

Thanks. I know I've asked this many times, but can anxiety make THAT big a difference in swings? I mean the first one was 142, then 15 minutes later 134, then another 15 minutes 148! That is a HUGE swing in systolic in 45 minutes!

Even though I post a lot on anxiety, I still don't understand it. When I FELT anxious yesterday, my BP was 119/76. I felt CALM today, and I get 142/76!

I really wish i knew what to do to get consistent readings...

acp44 · 06-27-2007, 09:03 PM

I wonder if I'm putting too much pressure on myself mentally? I take every BP supplement, eat the DASH diet, do an hour of intense cardio every day, all trying to FORCE myself not to get high blood pressure. There is also a part of my subconscious that keeps telling me that if I do HAVE high blood pressure, I am screwed...that I will end up on 5 meds and NOT bring it down!

So whenever I get an elevated reading, THAT'S the outcome I interpret. I hate it too, a lot. I go through every damn day worrying about taking my BP, and then obsessing that I'm on the verge of a damn stroke.

lylone · 06-28-2007, 05:35 AM

I like you have the same wierd readings of my diastolic. After exercising, I get really nice low numbers (105/65, 98/70) and then about a half hour later the diastolic goes up to 125, but the systolic stays a nice low 70s number. I have seen it shoot up to 135 before.
This morning, woke up, took my meds, checked bp and hour later after driving in the car listening to music and singing along get to the office and wammo 135/70.
I asked my doctor about it also and he said that its nothing to worry about. Lennin/KenKeith.. any ideas?

lyl