One month - initial low, now rising - High & Low Blood Pressure Message Board

LilliTN · 06-17-2008, 10:04 AM

4/29/8 I started on Coreg due to higher BP consistently known for about a month (130s over 90s and high pulse). 4 months prior it had always been fabulous with 90s over 70s.

I was prescribed 12.5 mg 2x/day but started out with 6.25 2X/day so I wasn't wiped out. I found that within days my BP was back to that 90s over 70s (or even lower) and I felt calm and good. I even entertained splitting my pill into 4ths rather than halves and did for a few days and it remained at the low. Then I went back to splitting in half as I realized I couldn't break them consistently.

Didn't check it for a week and when I did I found it had jumped to consistently 117/82 range no matter what time of day.

Diet has not changed. I eat healthy, low carb, organic and veggies, low salt. I exercise and maintain 95-100 pound weight.

Just wondering if it's normal to drop like that after first starting Coreg and then to jump back up within a month and have to increase dosage?

Also, I've noticed that my right arm measurement is always about 10 points lower than left. I am right handed and I'd read that your dominant arm is usually the higher of the two, not the lower... I'm opposite. Is that weird?

LilliTN · 06-19-2008, 09:53 AM

Anyone? Looks like no one is reading : (

famnd · 06-19-2008, 11:46 AM

Hi Lilli,

Sorry no one has answered. I take Labetalol which I believe is similar to Coreg if I remember correctly. Anyhow, I would say it is fairly normal for b/p to drop fast at first & then go back up. A possible reason for this is that some of the drug is absorbed by the tissues especially fat tissue because the body sees the drug as a toxin. This happened to me when I first started Labetalol.

The only thing I've ever read is that it's normal to have a difference up to 10 points in one arm. One doesn't need to be concerned unless the difference goes over 10 points consistently. I've never read except on this board that one's dominent arm has the increased b/p. Fam

LilliTN · 06-19-2008, 03:41 PM

Thanks!

I just didn't want to go ahead and start taking the full pill if I didn't have to. That would get me back to 12.5 2x/day and I see most other people are only taking that amount as a total per day. It seems high in that I went from low normal to a decent amount of meds in 4 mos. to get me back to just normal.

I actually have a dr. appt. on the 30th I can address this but honestly I often find myself learning more from people on these boards than understanding the doctor who gives me instructions without a reason. I want to know why I am taking things rather than just because I am supposed to.

flowergirl2day · 06-20-2008, 12:08 AM

Lilly,

A difference in blood pressure between the arms is normal. For most people, it usually is not a significant one. The reason for this is that we do not take a blood pressure measurement in both arms at the exact same time. Rather, the bp is taken in one arm first, then the other. This usually takes several minutes. Blood pressure and heart rhythm change from one minute to the next.

According to one study, a normal range for interarm difference in blood pressure is -9 to 11 mmHg systolic, and -10 to 10mmHg diastolic pressure. The arm should always be at the heart level and supported, otherwise the bp readings will not be accurate. If the arm is unsupported during the measurement, isometric exercise is performed, raising both the heart rate and blood pressure. If the arm is below the heart level, the blood pressure is overestimated. If above the heart level, it is underestimated.

Studies have shown that measurements taken from either arm will give consistent results.
If a significant difference in blood pressure between the arms exists (>20 syst or >10diast), measurements in both arms are taken during the initial visit to the doctor's office. If there is no change in blood pressure in the two arms after three consecutive visits, a referral should be made to a cardiologist. Some of the possible reasons for a significant difference in blood pressure between arms are a vascular disease, - thinning of subclavian, axillary or brachial arteries, blood clots, other impediment to blood flow, atheroma, heart disease, peripheral vascular disease and aortic dissection (which is quite rare). In people with irregular heart rhythm and PVCs, the strength of heart contractions varies and so does the blood pressure. If the readings are taken during different rhythms, they will differ.
I haven't seen anything about one arm having a higher/lower blood pressure as a rule. If I do, I'll post it here. Good luck with your appointment! Please let us know how it goes.

flowergirl