NEW to BP Issues - Given Medicine - Scared! - High & Low Blood Pressure Message Board

HaveaHeart · 03-07-2008, 01:55 PM

Hello,

The past few times Ive been to the doctors office (for another thing Im dealing with right now) my blood pressure has ALWAYS been in the 150's/80's.

The past 4 times, over a 1 month period of time.

NOW, if I take it at the grocery store or at home w/ my Mother's bp cuff, it's in the 120's/70's. I've done this now TWICE in the past 2 weeks.

My doctor went and put me on HCTZ 25mg (if that name makes sense here?)

I am beside myself right now...... I don't want to take anymore medicine, I'm already on so many for other issues.

My stress level has been very high these past few weeks. Financial issues, schooling issues, and pain due to my trigeminal neuralgia. And now it's even higher due to this diagnosis today.

I am only 33. But, I am also overweight by a lot, and I do smoke (though I am quitting tomorrow I gave myself a quick quit date after this scare!).

I am so scared riht now, I'm having chest pains........ panic attacks. Which is another issue I have. Anxiety/Panic Disorders.

Can someone share some encouraging words for me...... I feel so lost. I dont know if I should get a 2nd opinion on that, or just assume that he's right, as I do trust my doctor a lot.

tamuprof45 · 03-07-2008, 02:34 PM

I believe what your doctor did was to commit a grave error. It sounds like you have classic "white coat hypertension." The fact that you are getting normal readings at home and high readings at the doctor's are the first clue. The second are your references to stress and anxiety.

My suggestions: talk to your doctor IMMEDIATELY about white coat hypertension, ask him to take you off the meds, and to let you take your BP at HOME for at least several weeks. If it is generallo in the normal range at home, or even if it is up to (but below) 140/90 at home, you do NOT need meds!!!

If you are in the prehypertensive range, then your doctor should let you try lifestyle changes FIRST.

If your doctor still denies all this and insists on meds, then it strikes me that you need a new doctor. Please let us know what you decide and how it goes.

tamuprof45

HaveaHeart · 03-07-2008, 02:52 PM

See I am sort of thinking along those lines too (white coat syndrome) - THANK YOU SO MUCH for your Helpful advice.

The whole, I am nervous, anxiety at the doctors but on my own time, when I know that no one is "testing my #'s" I seem to be more in the normal range.

Let me ask you a question.....

If I were to hold off on the meds until monday, since he is out of the office until then, unfortunately (I hate see'ing doctors on fridays, due to this reason!). Do you think I would be OK as far as heart attack and stroke go.

Ive got this huge fear since I was diagnosed with that, that I am a walking heart attack - that any minute I can have one, if I'm not careful. I'm afraid to exercise, go up or down my stairs, all for fear I'm going to have a heart attack. Isnt that crazy.

It's anxiety I'm sure, but gosh I get so nervous.

I asked my DH to pick me up a blood pressure cuff as I do not own my own, I borrow or use the stores, and he said "No, you dont need that!" So I'm all

at him right now. I'll have to go buy my own when he's not looking!

Thank you for your help on this!

rudiraven · 03-07-2008, 03:34 PM

You're going to be fine, stop worrying. Your BP was not that high even in the Dr. office. Just try to calm down, breathe and relax

. Good for you for stopping the smoking. That will definitely help with any BP issues. Try the lifstyle changes first; no smoking, walking for exercise and diet. You don't need meds at this time, in my opinion. Take care

tamuprof45 · 03-07-2008, 03:37 PM

I cannot speak to your risks between now and Monday. BUT I do know that it takes YEARS of having consistently high blood pressure to do damage, so you are probably ok. You do need to take a real hard look at your risk factors: smoking, weight, exercise habits, diet etc. and change what needs to be changed NOW. The reason is, the healthy effects on blood pressure begin very quickly.

Please search this board for the various posts on lifestyle changes, supplements for blood pressure, and the DASH diet. There are a LOT of veterans here who started in far far worse shape than you and got their groove on pretty nicely!

I would NOT really on store BP monitors as they are unreliable. There are many good brands of home monitors like Omron that work fine. Make sure you get the arm NOt the wrist type, and make sure you get the right cuff size.

tamuprof45