BP Monitoring - Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) Message Board

naes · 11-12-2004, 01:27 AM

Hi,

I went to the doctor almost a year ago because I was sick and while I was there, they checked my blood pressure. While the nurse was strapping on the cuff I was getting very anxious about my BP because it had been so long since I had last checked it. This shot my BP up and the nurses were kinda shocked. They shrugged it off and said watch it at home because I am more comfortable there. So that's what I did and ever since I've tested my BP nearly everyday. My BP is normal, but I just can't seem to get that through my head. I get good results and just have to keep doing it and 1 hour later I do it again like I'm afraid its going to go sky high without me knowing or something. I feel satisfied after getting a good reading, but it doesn't last.

I am also kind of worried about exercising because I am afraid it will raise my BP too high. :S

I'm 17. I feel like I can hold my ground with many issues and stay calm in frightening situations and things like that, but this is like my weak spot. I don't think others would expect me to be like this with this sort of thing.

Any help with this?

hry33 · 11-12-2004, 06:32 AM

very high PB at the doctors office is common and is allowed for

this trap of checking the PB too often is common, do try to only check it once a week
also daily monitoring of heartbeat, pulse, etc is a trap that makes you too aware of your body and always adds to anxiety

our bodies know how to work without any help from us and actually woirk best when ignored

bm28 · 11-12-2004, 02:43 PM

If you have high blood pressure it will be high most all of the time. Do you know what the bottom number was? The top number can be affected by being nervous, drinking coffee, etc. but if the bottom number is high too then that is usually something to be concerned with. Exercising will raise your heart rate while you are exercising but it actually helps lower blood pressure by making your heart stronger. It is extremely common for blood pressure to rise in the presence of a doctor; especially if you're OCD.

naes · 11-12-2004, 07:59 PM

Well, I get normal readings when I'm actually calm about it. 100-118/60-75. When I am worried the diastolic usually doesn't change much, but it can go up to like 78-80 sometimes, but 95% of the time diastolic is in the 60s.

Systolic varies quite a lot. Even when I'm nervous, it's usually below 130. It does go higher than 130, but only when pretty nervous or worked up. When at the doctors, it was 140/80.

One moment I get 112/59 and the next I get 122/63. Which is it? Anything more than 115 makes me upset. I would like to have my friends take their BP just to see what theres is at times, but I am too afraid to ask and I'm too afraid that their BPs will be excellent all the time :S.

Thanks for your replies so far

bm28 · 11-13-2004, 07:09 PM

Okay, well according to what my Dr. says, you definitely DO NOT have high blood pressure. I have high blood pressure and I am only 28, don't smoke, I exercise and weigh 110. Some people just have it. All of those readings that you have sound very ideal to me. Even on my BP medication I get a diastolic reading in the 80 range. If yours is usually in the 60 range that is excellent; don't worry.