What do you all make of these readings? - High & Low Blood Pressure Message Board

Maui222 · 09-24-2007, 06:04 AM

Here's a typical day for me:

Morning: 120/80

Afternoon: 130/84-85

Evening: 138/88-140/90

Why does my pressure rise so much in the evening? That's normal right, to have your highest reading later in the day?

I'm just so curious as to what my Dr. is going to do. She actually only told me to take my b/p once a day for 2 weeks. So if I had taken it in the morning she'd think it was normal, evening it would be high! I take it 3 times a day b/c that's what my machine and the chart that came with it said to do.

I'm just curious if this amount of fluctation is normal! thanks!

Oh and one final question - do any of you with blood pressure issue have B/P that gets *higher* when you undergo anesthesia rather than lower? I'm not sure if I panic when in the hospital or it's an issue I have with the anesthesia. (I'm the one who has the kidney stones I keep having to get removed)

Linda

acp44 · 09-24-2007, 09:57 AM

It is fairly normal for blood pressure to be at its lowest in the morning, and rise during the day. What matters is the average reading, so take your readings for a few weeks and see if this pattern repeats, and what the average is. These readings are not all bad BTW, but the 140/90 should be a signal that you need to monitor this.

Your average here would indicate "prehypertension," a signal that you dont need medications, BUT you need to reassess your diet, weight, stress at work and home, etc. and see if you can get these numbers just a bit lower. NO need to panic or be overly concerned, but do start monitoring. Good luck!

acp