If you have high blood pressure how high was it before treatment?

[Queenmargery]

Apart from during one of my pregnancies 15

• years ago I've always had normal blood pressure. I'm 49 and overweight. One of my friends has recently been diagnosed with hypertension and she recommended I keep an eye on mine. Last summer mine was 120/80 but when I've checked it the last few days it's been 145 /85 a few times. I've had a very stressful week this week and slept badly. I have anxiety and I am stressing myself out about it. I have a doctor's appointment booked but its not for nearly a week. I have a slight headache which seems like the sort of headache I would get if I was not sleeping well but now I keep thinking it might be a symptom. Googling would suggest my BP definitely needs to checked out but not at a dangerous level. I just can't relax.

Mine was about 160/95 regularly when I was put on amlodipine 5mg. I'm fairly fit and only a little overweight. I was having continuous headaches, and hardly have any now. It's down to about 127/80 now

158/101! I went to the doctor for awful migraines and it was discovered there. It's taken a while to get it normal, I am on amlodipine 10mg & Losartan 50mg daily. I'm waiting to see cardiology. I have always been healthy and never had it before.

I was diagnosed with essential hypertension in my mid-20s. I’d had pre-eclampsia in pregnancy but it wasn’t checked after I’d had my DD. It was discovered a few years later when I had a go of my DFs home bp monitor which was a new thing back in the 80s. It was 175/120. I went to my GP who took it a few times and sent me to A&E. After a referral to cardiology and loads of tests I was put straight on 2 drugs. It took about a year and 2 more meds till it was around 130/95. I’m in my 60s now and still on 4 meds. I’ve had years where it’s been inexplicably normal and then it goes inexplicably crazy again. It’s doing that now and GP has doubled the dose of one tablet and I’m monitoring it again to see if that lowers it. When mine goes high it’s high at home, at the GP and hospital. When it’s ok it’s ok in any setting. It’s been high when I’ve been fit and following dietary advice. It’s been low when I’ve been overweight and eating whatever. It seems to have a life of its own. I do have a genetic condition though so not sure how much this effects it.

It was extremely high. I remember the top figure being over 200 a lot

About 160/110 when diagnosed. To be honest my doctor wasn’t even that panicked about that.just put me on amilodipine. It’s about 125/83 ish at the moment. Ian overweight so losing some would probably help too. My mum has very high blood pressure and has done since pregnancy. She is normally about 160/80, they just can’t get the top number down. Aparently the bottom number is the more urgent one though.

Thanks everyone. I'm glad I started this thread.
Hearing your stories about how much higher BP than mine has been treated and managed has definitely helped me calm down a little.
I have always been anxious but have had some health anxiety in the past few months after the sudden death of a parent.

Queenmargery. I’m really sorry that you are bereaved. It’s not surprising you’ve had health anxiety since then and am sure that will be pushing up your BP. Two of the periods my BP went dramatically up was after my DMs death and through my divorce and the chaos my ex left behind him.

The BP readings you are getting wouldn’t worry my GP at all and I don’t think he would put you on meds for that, especially as your going through such a tough time right now which goes a long way to explain your mild high BP. The day my GP sent me to A&E with BP of 175/120, I had zero symptoms and had no idea whatsoever my BP was up at all until I first took it on my DFs monitor.

Mine was 180/115. I'm 45 and fit but huge family history of high BPs.

I take meds now and it's in normal range

@Queenmargery I'm so sorry to hear about your parent. I would look at it like this - loads of people have high blood pressure. The good news is, it's highly treatable. Worst case scenario would be meds and then get on with your life. Maybe tell your GP how you are feeling?

I feel so much better this morning. I slept a bit better and did some deep breathing. When I'm stressed sometimes I forget to breathe properly.
I did my 3 measurements sitting properly as recommended and the average came out as 124/79.
I'm going to have a relaxing day and make sure I get a walk in later.

So glad you’re feeling better after a bit more sleep. Those readings are really good. I really find breathing exercises help. There are lots of vids on YouTube about diaphragm breathing. I actually quite enjoy doing my 2 lots of 5 mins. As time passes and you start to be able to carry your DPs loss a little easier, hopefully your anxiety will lessen.

Nice walks and doing things that relax you are always a good thing. I would take your BP once a week if for a while just to reassure yourself it’s still ok. But as others have said, even pretty high BP is managed well these days. I’m coming up for 30 years since I was sent packing to A&E and even on 4 drugs, two on max dose, my twice yearly blood tests are fine, the optician can’t see any evidence of high BP at the back of my eyes and I’m doing ok.

It doesn't matter if you stay 'peacefully' sitting on the sofa for five hours - if you are living in general under a cloak of anxiety then your reading will always be high.
I bought a bp monitor and became obsessed with it- taking my BP 10+ times per day ( I have health anxiety).
It would be best to book into your surgery BP clinic and ask the nurse to do a reading once a fortnight.
Your BP isn't at a dangerous level and the nurse çan advise you and help quell your fears.
I'm sure after a couple of visits you'll see that number plummet.

That's a good reading. The more you move the better. I find mine is lowest after a few days gardening and walking.

190/115 - to be fair, I felt bloody awful at the time.

Last night I had to phone an ambulance had a pain down back of left arm that keep coming and going I have anxiety and health anxiety I had sweaty hand was crying anyway ambulance service said I did not trigger an ambulance so go to my urgent treatment centre so of I went I had an ECG which was absolutely fine my BP was 152/92 heart rate 114 they sent me home saying I was having a panic attack I've woke this morning and still feel very anxious anyone got some tips?

Look up deep breathing exercises and get some fresh air today and tomorrow and then get a GP appointment on Monday.

That BP will likely come down when you are calmer. It's not in itself dangerous.

@coloursquare thank u I have been out today just trying to keep my mind busy I'm going to ring Monday morning for GP appointment to discuss my meds ect I was so scared I thought I was having a heart attack I'm only 29.