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 💐

Sorry, just had to pop back to say that after a lovely relaxed afternoon involving snuggling with DD on the sofa, cuddling a cat and watching daft Christmas films, I've just measured it again and it's 138/81. Which is 'high normal'. The call from the GP to tell me my bloods were ok probably relaxed me a bit more too.

I'm amazed that three pills over three days can take me from hypertensive crisis to high normal. Genuinely.

I'm having a well earned and very welcome glass of wine shortly, and this time I'm not going to worry!

So pleased for you, @WhatFreshHeII - it's great that you can relax and enjoy a bit of Christmas cheer.

Congrats, enjoy your Christmas!

When I was pregnant they sent me to the hospital for BP monitoring as it was high. It was absolutely fine at the hospital - the GP had used a cuff that was too small.

@WhatFreshHeII the chart you posted is really helpful

If you Google 180/120, everywhere says you should be in hospital ASAP. Mine was higher at the GP, and I was not sent away with tablets or told to not do anything strenuous. Just a BP monitor to do at home. It was still sky high the first time I did it so naturally I Googled and everywhere screamed hypertensive crisis. I called 111, and they told me to stop consulting Dr Google and to ignore the first few readings.

I remember another thread here about high BP and a medical professional chipped in saying that hypertensive crisis and hypertension are not the same thing.

It sounds like you are a lot more relaxed about it all now. Have a wonderful xmas .

All that sounds excellent @WhatFreshHeII . I think the locum GP may have realised she was being a little over-reactive when she saw you, maybe because you have other health problems and as she doesn't know you went on the "better safe than sorry" route.

She may also have picked up that you were very stressed when you saw her and assumed that because you do have these other problems then seeing your GP may be a "normal" situation for you - I do know that is the case with some people, but not so likely if you have health anxiety! Plus I have had to have many GP and hospital appointments over the years and AM sort of used to it (I don't even stress about operations under GA) but I still have white coat syndrome!

I would hazard a guess that she called you yesterday to give you the blood results, knowing that you were probably going to worry about that and knowing you had the all clear would help you to relax more

Hi all! Hope you've had a lovely Christmas/NY.

I've got my GP appointment tomorrow and ECG the day after - I've done a good job of not thinking about it over Christmas but the worry is beginning to kick in now.

That said my BP is consistently around the 130/80 mark now, or lower. Today it's 124/77 and I often get readings like that - it's always in the normal/just edging into high normal range.

Thing is I can already feel myself getting worked up at the thought of it being done at the surgery tomorrow. It's going to read so much higher than it does at home.

One thing I've discovered when reading about hypertension - liquorice can raise it, particularly liquorice tea. I drink at least 4 cups of the stuff a day, but I ran out on Christmas Eve and haven't had any since. And my BP is consistently lower. It'll probably be the BP meds doing the heavy lifting, but perhaps it's no coincidence that I'd had two cups immediately before I left for the GP on the day I had that horrific reading...?

I've had a lovely Christmas full of foodie treats (but no added salt - I haven't touched the salt grinder since my last GP appointment). But from tomorrow the weight loss starts in earnest. I'm a size 20 now and I aim to be a 16 by Easter. Lots of fresh veg and not so much pasta!

Happy new year everyone 🎉🎉🎉

I've been there, once they sort the meds out you'll be fine. I need 3 to keep my BP in order it's now usually 85,/73 ish.

Good luck. I was where you are start 2019. Size 20. Lost 5 stone in 8 months. Aiming for 10% of body weight is a good start. I got from obese to a healthy bmi in under 6 months and had been overweight for years.

@WhatFreshHeII I'm following you lovely- in identical position on the BP, and weight, except I'm starting at a size 18- I lost 4kg between middle of November and end of Dec - which whilst not amazing was at least in the right direction and covering Xmas period and I ate very well . I've also gone gluten free because of neurological issues too and that's quite awkward as I've probably ate my body weight in oat cakes and porridge!

Take your records of your home readings with you. They know about white coat syndrome so a higher reading at the surgery shouldn’t matter too much.