To be shit scared by this diagnosis

[WhatFreshHeII]

I've just been to the GP for a very minor thing and while I was there she took my BP because I hadn't had it checked for a while. Immediately she said 'Oh that's worryingly high' and checked the other arm too, which was higher again. I think it was 170/122? But I was reading it upside down.

She showed me the NICE guidance which said that I needed to be checked for organ damage (she took some bloods). She also prescribed medication (candesartan 8mg) which I have to start taking today. I have to go back after Christmas for an ECG and on Friday to have my BP checked again.

She said that I mustn't get stressed, upset, or overexcited because my BP is so high I'm at very high, immediate risk of heart attack or stroke. And not to overindulge over Christmas for the same reason. Which of course has sent my stress levels sky high.

She was absolutely lovely and so kind but I'm absolutely terrified. My mother, grandmother and two aunts died of strokes - when I told the GP this she said that makes it even more worrying. I'm 50 and overweight but haven't always been (I've had EDs since I was teenager so my weight has fluctuated a lot, I'm currently a size 20). I also have rheumatoid arthritis and I know that heart problems can be a feature of RA.

I've had no symptoms so this has come as a complete surprise and a total shock. I don't know what happens next, other than I'll be on this medication for the long term apparently.

I know loads of people have hypertension but the GP seemed so concerned that she's got me really, really worried. I keep thinking I'm going to drop dead any second.

Can someone please calm me down and/or tell me their own experience of this? I'm at my wit's end with worry, I have health anxiety anyway and this has shaken me really badly.

TIA 💐

So sorry to hear this!

Although GP was kind etc saying "that's worryingly high probably wouldn't have helped you. I had very high blood pressure diagnosed some years ago (and I have health anxiety) and my GP made me undergo a gamut of tests at the blood pressure clinic; ecg, blood pressure taken multiple times, bloods taken, 24 hour blood pressure monitor, adrenaline and noradrenaline levels checked (had to measure all my wee in a huge bottle to be tested over some days, and an echocardiogram. Now I'm on 3 different blood pressure meds and I'm relieved I'm being treated.

I was very nervous at the early stages of investigations, which probably didn't help me levels.

Would a home blood pressure monitor help you? They are easy to buy from Boots etc. I found my numbers were much better at home. Maybe you could phone in some home readings to your GP? If they were worried I expect they would send you to A&E.

Also my dm had this as well about 20 years before me. The really good thing is that this has been found and you are on the path to treatment. The pills are very easy to take, work very well generally and there are many types to tweak the right dosage.

It is horrible to hear, especially at this time of year, but I think you just have to take deep breaths and wait for the next steps.

PS I was also convinced I was going to drop dead.
Hypertension doesn't typically have any symptoms.

I had a similarly high BP a couple of years ago and it scared the life out of me. But the medication worked really quickly to control it and second getting a home BP machine as mine is always lower on that as I’m calmer at home.

You are fine, I promise.

Mine was much higher than that a couple of years ago and they sent me to hospital to be under observation until it came down 180/120 was the ‘safe to be sent home’ limit. The medication will kick in pretty quickly and you do not need to be worried.

Get a home bp machine. Like a PP said, the medication will kick in pretty fast.

Sympathies. It's very difficult when they hit you with that news, then tell you that you mustn't get stressed

My diagnosis of (postnatal) very high bp, at the same time as 5 day-old ds had to have surgery, scared the life out of me and kicked off quite a long phase of postnatal/health anxiety with major panic attacks.

However... here I am 14 years later, in good health. What I did was immediately cut down massively on salt and caffeine, and take up running (very slowly ). Don't do the latter without your doctor's say-so, but maybe some walking? I also read a book about mindfulness, which really helped me get over my anxiety.

The thing to try and remember about the anxiety is that it's just thoughts. Acknowledge them, name them ('That's just an anxious thought') and move on. The other thing is to try to be grateful that your high bp has been spotted and is being dealt with. Lots of people are walking around obliviously with undiagnosed high bp, but you're not - you are being treated and can help yourself too.

The meds will kick in fast although you probably won't be at optimum levels yet and so your numbers might get better gradually. I think I had to go back a few times to change the dose in the first weeks.

Keep thinking ‘phew, I nipped that in the bud’ rather than panic which will exacerbate things.

white coat syndrome is a proper thing, and having your BP done in a surgery can really elevate it. By all means get a home monitor but do it sporadically and don’t get obsessed.

just keep thinking the medication is there to be used, millions take it, and there are many many others walking around not knowing what their BP and it’s higher than yours. You are doing something, that’s the most important thing. You may have had the same readings for ages, you just didn’t know. You do now, you’re not ignoring it.

It's a definite shock, but you can use this experience as the turning point make some lifestyle changes and get healthier. It will help your bp as well as your arthritis.

OP yes it's scary but then again my FIL has had high blood pressure, controlled with medication, for several decades. He's 86 and going strong.

This is such good advice!

Thank you all so, so much. You've really helped me to calm down a bit.

I'm trying to focus on the point a few of you have made - that at least, now I know and can do something about it. If I hadn't gone in today I wouldn't have and goodness knows what might have happened.

Your stories/experiences of yourselves or family members have also helped - it's reassuring to know that people have been diagnosed and been ok with treatment.

I'm going to take my first pill before bed with my other meds. I've also just ordered a BP monitor from Amazon which will arrive in Friday, so I can keep an eye at home. I do get stressed in medical settings (the HA kicking in) so that likely wouldn't have helped matters. I will have to be very careful that using it too often/obsessing over the results doesn't become a thing though.

I'm trying hard to calm down and you're all really helping. Thank you.

This was me last week
Turns out I need the large BP cuff, I was getting 180/120 readings on the small one, better 160/90 readings on the larger cuff.
Next time ask for the large cuff

All good advice above. Just to say that I had hugely high blood pressure with preeclampsia. There were signs of liver damage, but it repaired itself on its own once the blood pressure level fell, and all is fine now. So don't worry too much - they do a lot of checks just to be on the safe side but there are very good medicines as others have said.

I’m not surprised you’re stressed hearing that! Make sure the cuff you ordered is big enough because the readings aren’t accurate if the cuff is too small

You just prompted me to do my BP. Those little home machines are fantastic and surprisingly cheap. We got one at Lidl for £19.99. I forget to use it as much as I should but being able to keep doing the reading while relaxed at home gives you peace of mind if you can see the readings dropping over time. If you can get one it's worth doing. Maybe look on Amazon?

I have a history of EDs (anorexia and binge eating) and haven't always been overweight, in fact my current size is quite recent. Also I have rheumatoid arthritis, not osteoarthritis - weight doesn't really affect it. I was diagnosed when I was 8st and my weight has not changed the flares or pain I have. I'm unable to exercise because of the pain and fatigue it causes, which doesn't help.

The GP said that my mother/family members having similar issues was likely to be more of an issue for me than my weight, which is quite a recent thing (last year or so). I know I need to lose weight, but it has to be handled incredibly carefully so as not to trigger another bout of anorexia. So that's something else I'm worried about.

The one I've just bought has a large cuff so that's good!

Did the small one feel extra uncomfortably tight on you? I know having your BP checked is never exactly comfortable but this was so tight it was painful. It's never hurt like that before. Perhaps that had something to do with the reading? <clutches at straws>

I'm afraid your GP is right OP. That is very high. I've had high BP since I was pregnant with DD and that sits at around 130/90, dropping to 120/80 after meds.

The only other things that help are diet, exercise, cutting out caffeine and salt. Eating lots of oats, blueberries, hibiscus and cinnamon tea (tastes as bad as it sounds), all the boring stuff really.

When I don't follow all these, it goes up beyond the first measurement, it really is annoying but not something you want to ignore.

I'd see this as a wake up call to start your health regime for the next part of your life. You might even enjoy it (maybe..)

Cutting out salt in your diet will help OP.

There is a fine line between informing the patient and frightening the crap out of them😉

Good luck. - from a fellow hypertensive.

I'm also trying to tell myself that my organs must be ok - I have bloods done every 3 months (last time was end of September) to check for any side effects of the RA drugs I'm on, and they're always fine. I know they check for liver and kidney function.

Oh hell that's another thought - how will these BP drugs work with my methotrexate? I'm not taking it at the moment because I'm on ABs but I'll need to talk to my consultant, which I won't be able to now until after Christmas. Bollocks.

Dear OP this was my cousin earlier this year. The doctor was so worried about her she said she shouldn't work or put herself under any stress. My cousin is mid 40s. It was really scary for her. Now with meds she's working (she didn't really give up but took it easier). She travels the world (job related) and basically lives life to the full as she always had done. Once the shock has subsided a bit hopefully you can feel as another poster said that think glad this has been flagged up now. Xxx

I hardly eat any salt but I'll eat less from now on. I don't eat fried food at all and very little fatty stuff. I'm vegetarian so no meat. My portion sized could be slimmed down a bit. The main thing for me is exercise, which is practically impossible now because of the RA. I used to walk ten miles a day every day but that's a distance memory - now even a mile is a challenge and I pay for it later.

I had exactly the same a few months ago. I'm now on 32mg candersatan. Mine is now back to 120/80.

This is so reassuring, thank you. I'm so glad your cousin is ok and living life to the full 💐