High Blood Pressure Anxiety

[TomsGirl2you]

I have been diagnosed with hypertension for the past 3-4 years and have been treated with Diovan 160. Does anyone have any suggestions on how to combat the irrational anxiety that I have when my B/P is taken? The nurse or MD can just approach me with a B/P cuff and I feel the adrenaline flow, the heart rate jump and of course the B/P shoot up. I even get this anxiety when I velcro the cuff to my own arm and take my own b/p. The first result is usually high, then I take a deep breath and let it out and my pressure comes down. I just feel so foolish! Any ideas on how to combat this anxiety response?

[violet312s]

Someone on this board said this (forget who). Your doctor is a paid consultant. You are the client. You choose what to do with your consultant's (doctor) recommendation. Going to your doctor is not like going to the principal's office. While they have your best interests at heart, they are not the police.

But, I would recommend getting a BP monitor that keeps track of measurements. The Omron automatic inflate ones do that. Then you can take the unit into the doctor to show what your BP is doing.

If your first measurement is way off and your second is within range...remain calm.

It took me a few months to just tell myself to go with the flow and whatever it reads is what it reads. No more anxiety about taking my BP. Doesn't mean I don't think about what it's about to say. Just means that I take it in context and think about averages instead of a point in time.

[syxx_35]

It took me 2 doctors when I was having problems, but I have been very happy as of late. My doctor does not even go by the readings at the office. She takes them yes, but then she asks me how my readings at home have been. I bring out my little card, and then we go by if she likes what she sees or not.