White-coat syndrome

[Dinny]

I think I've got this - keep getting so stressed when having BP measured. GP thinks I have high BP but I am sure it's cos I am so scared. Any tips on chilling out and getting a low reading? I get sweating palms and feel my heart is jumping out of chest when he takes it! ARGH!!

thanks so much - I will mail you. still at work, believe it or not! argh!

go home to bed!! speak to you soon

Only just seen your post, Mears, sorry. That is high. I felt hopeful that it was stress making me have high readings as - when in early labour - I was admitted to hospital, the midwives said my BP was v high. 10 mins on that monitoring machine and it was low side of OK. Just hoping it is like that now. Will ask for extensive monitoring. Thanks for your advice, D x

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Thanks Robinw, I have just started back at work after career break - my job is v stressful (well, I find it stressful!)

I'm just so sure in myself it is only high when measured!
is yours an arm monitor? Dinny

Dinny, I had high blood pressure readings toward the end of my pregnancy, but my ob always had me lie quietly on my left side for a few minutes and then would retake it -- it was always ok at that point. A lot of it, for me, was psychological, I think; it was calming for me to lie down for a bit. I hope it works out with you.

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Thanks Robinw - may get down there to buy one. Dinny x

I'm not surprised you have high blood pressure if you are still at work at 11pm! Seriously, I once met a woman at Champneys (freebie for me in my freebie days) who worked with families with severely disabled children - she had terrible high blood pressure that not even medication could touch but after a week of yoga, massage, walking, early nights and no stress and a super healthy diet her blood pressure dropped to normal. She was totally ecstatic. So maybe a few lifestyle changes might be a good start.
However, I often had higher blood pressure at first, and it got lower with subsequent testings as I calmed down - it was usually high because I'd rushed to the appointment!

Aloha,I have been thinking to myself about my lifestyle/stress. An awful picture, really - I find my job stressful, dd was/is very demanding - used to cry lots & lots, | have had on-off bulimia for years, since dd was born have been drinking too much (quite often a bottle of wine 5-6 times a week, though have cut down since high bp reading). I am also a worrier/stresser by nature. I also have resumed smoking when drinking over last year (about 10 a week). GOD, I need some life changes, I think. Should I tell the doctor all this? Will he think it is a factor? Dinny (sorry to still be going on about this....)
ps I always work till 11.30, I work shifts

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