Can illness cause bloody pressure to rise

[HaudYerWheeshtYaWeeBellend]

I’m in A&E urgent care centre waiting to see the doctor (possible kidney/water infection too ) and just had my bloody pressure taken and it’s 144/90 which they commented in being high, can this cause this.

Healthy, eat fresh food, fit and active daily (sports, gym, work full time) moderate alcohol intake etc...

Just wondering if this bout of illness can be the cause of the blood pressure, had my pressure taken last month and it was within normal range.

Blood

144/90 is not hugely high and the situation and surrounding may have elevated it.

Kidney stones raised DH's blood pressure to a level where it needed medication to reduce. Since having an op to remove the stones, his BP has returned to normal.

During an earlier bout of stones ten years ago, we found that certain painkillers (NSAIDs) also raised his BP. It took months for the GP to realise and prescribe different painkillers so as to reduce his BP sufficiently to have the operation!

Yes I think decreased Kidney function affects BP but 144 is only moderately high. Once you get to 200/100 plus they start to worry (I'm in hospital a lot).

Pain will increase your blood pressure, as will worrying about your illness, sitting in A&E/the whole situation. I wouldn't worry about it as this point because it's obviously a bit of a stressful time for you.

Yes. Infections are well known to increase your blood pressure.

Yes. Generally I’ll health, infections, stress, anxiety etc can all increase blood pressure.

An isolated reading of 144/90 is nothing to worry about if unwell.

I have high blood pressure and that reading in isolation if I felt unwell would be ok. I’d expect it to go down once I was feeling better.

Yes illness, and in my experience Covid in particular, can cause raised BP. So given that you're in A&E and poorly then it's not really surprising.

I hope you get treated quickly and feel better soon.

Probably more likely to be the stress of being I A&E three days before Christmas. Hope you feel better soon.

Yes pain can drive it right up.

I’ve been through a&e twice in the past year, once with a gall bladder attack and once when I fractured my shoulder. Both times it was noted my BP was high, but both occasions were definitely related to pain n and distress. IIRC my bp with the gallbladder was 220/190 but in reality it’s normally 120/90 (ish). Whenever it’s been checked routinely no one’s ever commented except maybe to say it was a good level.

Ten to one it returns to its normal level once the underlying issues are treated. Good luck x

Your kidneys release a hormone called renin that helps to control your blood pressure by releasing angiotensin and aldosterone. so if they're out of whack it might have an impact. Don't worry about your bp at the moment as it won't help.

All sorts of things can cause higher readings, including being in a hospital waiting room. I had one high reading which we put down to DD's hormones (bad day!). It's only a problem if it stays that high.

Thanks all, never in my life had high blood pressure, so was a small bit concerned.

Been diagnosed with kidney stones which in turn has given me a kidney and bladder infection

I’ve been ill for sometime but been working non stop/being a mum/ Christmas planning/ et.... and simply put it down to my immune system being low.

Currently being treated for suspected sepsis and hooked up to a concoction of marvellous drugs

They are flushing my system out so hopefully if all is ok I might be able to get home before Christmas to the home care team (fingers crossed)

Lots of things can. When I was heavily pregnant mine always went slightly high when I’d walked up the stairs to the appointment. Sounds silly but when the midwife waited a few minutes and took it again, it went down. Stress and anxiety can cause it to rise, as can pain.

@HaudYerWheeshtYaWeeBellend

Thanks all, never in my life had high blood pressure, so was a small bit concerned.

Been diagnosed with kidney stones which in turn has given me a kidney and bladder infection

I’ve been ill for sometime but been working non stop/being a mum/ Christmas planning/ et.... and simply put it down to my immune system being low.

Currently being treated for suspected sepsis and hooked up to a concoction of marvellous drugs

They are flushing my system out so hopefully if all is ok I might be able to get home before Christmas to the home care team (fingers crossed)

I wish you absolutely all the best; that little lot is certainly enough to have raised your blood-pressure really quite dramatically, but now it is being dealt with then with luck it will get sorted out quite quickly.

Here's hoping you can have a reasonably Christmas after all this.

It definitely could be - many people's blood pressure goes up when they're ill. And the stress of being in A and E would make it even worse! 144 over 90 isn't that dramatically high anyway; if it was always that, you might need some medication;; but when you are unwell and under stress, it is pretty natural.

There is an actual name for blood pressure being way high when it's taken in A&E: it is called "white coat syndrome".

Just seen your update - hope you're much better soon!

Doesn't sound great this close to Christmas but sounds like you're taking it in your stride. Get well soon x