what causes freaky high readings? - High & Low Blood Pressure Message Board

Maui222 · 09-25-2007, 06:26 AM

Is there any cause for them? I've been taking my b/p regularly for over a week now and the numbers are normally pretty steady at each time of day. Last night I got a 148/100 reading.

I have NO idea why. I saw it and it put me into a near panic attack. (Stupid I know) The ONLY thing I could figure is one of 2 things, the cuff was too tight and/or I had just gotten my period?? I have NO clue! I had taken it an hour earlier and it was 138/93, but I had exercised and hour before that, so I figured it was high b/c of my exercise that's why I took it a 2nd time.

I was so nervous over it I took it in the middle of the night (after I'd been up 1.5 hours with my 4 month old) and it was back down to 122/85.

So what's up with my freakish reading???? A fluke? Cuff anxiety? I've NEVER had one like that!

acp44 · 09-25-2007, 09:02 AM

Anxiety and exercise both can cause high readings like that. Anxiety can cause your normal BP to shoot up 40+ points, in a nano-second. What is critical is that it drops, and that seems to be the case with you, which is good. Monitor readings and see if it happens frequently, and (and I know this is hard) try not to obsess or worry to much, because that will guarantee high readings.

acp