Is this a high blood pressure?

[danxingdreamer]

Some charts seem to suggest it's not ideal?

Today it's been:

127/77

124/81

129/81

Yesterday I got a reading of 134/83... and it was the same 2 hours later

I bought a BP monitor because my mum has one and I tried it out. Was confused to find out my BP isn't suggesting I'm healthy?!

I am only 24

It’s absolutely fine.

Not particularly. I have chronic hypertension and a dilated aorta and my target for 'excellent' blood pressure from my cardiologist is 125/75. At your age I'd say it would be ideal to be slightly lower - until a few years ago mine was always 110/70 which I was told was text book, but the readings you've stated wouldn't concern me.

Totally normal x

Thank you so much

NHS website is warning me it isn't ideal and is borderline high!

Normal. There is also a circumstance when taking the blood pressure actually makes it higher due to anxiety. Mine is normally 110/70 but a recent hospital visit recorded 143/93.

If you are really interested/concerned take a couple of readings daily at the same ish time for a few weeks. See where it averages out. Don't sweat the small stuff - it's not a fixed thing.

I'm not really concerned because I feel very healthy but was just confused why NHS was saying it wasn't ideal!

Here is the NHS guidance:

www.nhs.uk/conditions/high-blood-pressure-hypertension/

Most GPs work out what’s normal for you. Some people have a consistently low/high BP so the issue is to look for changes in this person’s BP.

I’d say your BP is on the slightly high side of normal. This may be just how your BP works so no issue unless it rises further.

However, you might, if you wish, look for lifestyle changes you could make such as losing weight, more exercise or diet, if any of these is a factor for you.

I write this because this was a factor for me and I reduced my BP through making small changes rather than taking medication.

From NHS page:

As a general guide:

high blood pressure is considered to be from 140/90mmHg (or an average of 135/85mmHg at home) – or 150/90mmHg (or an average of 145/85mmHg at home) if you're over the age of 80

ideal blood pressure is usually considered to be between 90/60mmHg and 120/80mmHg, while the target for over-80s is below 150/90mmHg (or 145/85mmHg at home)

Blood pressure readings between 120/80mmHg and 140/90mmHg could mean you're at risk of developing high blood pressure if you do not take steps to keep your blood pressure under control.

It also says: Everyone's blood pressure will be slightly different. What's considered low or high for you may be normal for someone else.

This morning it's 139/87 so is getting higher

Stop checking it!

You have no need to keep checking it, you’re going to make yourself anxious which will make it higher. BP naturally fluctuates.

I’m a HCP if that helps!

I'm not anxious but I do have an underlying condition that would mean high BP is a concern.

Even so no one needs to check it daily, not even people on BP meds.

Allow yourself a once a week check.

OP it isn’t ideal no but it doesn’t mean you are in danger. As the nhs site will tell you it means you would benefit from trialling some long term life style changes to try and bring it down (as it will only organise ho up with age).
To check your b/p take morning and evening readings at rest for 5 days and find the average. Then put the machine away for 6 weeks, make your changes, and check again.

You can’t look at daily fluctuations with b/p it doesn’t work like that. Hence finding an average snd putting it away.

Check it twice a day, morning and evening, at the same times if you can, and make sure you are following the guidance in the instructions that came with your BP monitor. Taking the reading when you are calm and rested, not just after exercise, sitting comfortably, resting your arm on a table , putting the cuff on correctly etc. make a note of your readings for a week or so, if they are high it would be helpful for your gp to see sustained readings.

Did you buy a good quality monitor? My gp uses the same monitor that I have at home, cheap ones might not be accurate.