High BP and pulse rate

[mumof2kiddos]

I have been measured my BP today and 4 weeks ago and 6 weeks ago and all came 130+/90+ . It all started with my BP being measured after a minor op. It was quite high after the op. Thus started my regime of getting BP checked over the next few weeks. Everytime I go to measure my BP, I get a bit nervous and can feel my heart pounding.
I have a guess that this is all because I am stressed out during these check-ups. I have some on going physical problems for which I had to visit GP quite often and had my BP checked a few times in the last year and it was not reported to be high. This ongoing problem has increased my stress level very high as I always tend to fear the worst.
However I have made an appt with GP tomm on the advise of the nurse who took my BP. Actually it was 124/87 and 135/95 in 1 min diff.
What sort of tests will I request the GP tomm? Should I ask for some anxiety management plan? Should I insist on making an appt with some cardio-vascular specialist?
I am so heartbroken with this because for the last one year (just after my physical problem started) I have started eating healthily, brisk walk 30mins a day 3-5days/week and have lost alost 9kgs of weight. Still I feel shit most of the time. I really dont know what to do!!.

Try and get a 24 hour blood pressure monitor. I had one and my average readings were normal so was told I suffer from 'white coat hypertension' where my BP shoots up when I go to see the GP. His treatment was to 'stay away from doctors' which has worked perfectly.

Try not to panic. The doctor will probably take your BP a few times and chat to you about your family history. White coat hypertension is a phenomenon (I.e. you get high BP in the doctors surgery but not elsewhere) so they will want to rule that out. The doctor may suggest you have 24 hour BP monitoring (where you wear a machine for 24 hours) so they cans ee what happens over the course of the day or suggestion buy a BP machine and take it regularly at home (I do this. Choose a machine recommended by the British Hypertension Society).

The doctor will also probably suggest some blood tests to see if you have any underlying causes for your BP (which is borderline high rather than high high by the way) and perhaps a cholesterol test too. It may be that there's no identifiable cause (assuming you do have high BP).

Should you continue to have high Bp then ultimately the GP may suggest medication (an ACE inhibitor or betablocker). I take lisinopril daily. It's not a hassle and I am pleased the high BP is being treated as so many people have it without knowing and it is then that the damage is being done. I think it is unlikely at this stage you will be referred to a cardiovascular specialist unless there is a significant family history if CV problems. GPs are well used to diagnosing and treating high BP.

Good luck.

I take my blood pressure myself at the GP surgery in a little room with an automatic machine.

My first one is always really high because I get very anxious about it.

I take some long, slow breaths and relax and the next one is lower.

I wait a further 5 minutes or so until I feel really calm and relaxed and he third one is usually down to the slightly high end of normal. I think I too have "white coat hypertension"!

Thank you all. Will try to discuss these points with the GP tomm. I really do hope that I have the 'white coat hypertension' thing and not really any thing else sinister. Lost so much weight with a healthier lifestyle yet BP high ironically. Really making me feel sad about it. On the plus side my clothes are so much more loose now and I have a proper waist (although I have still more to loose).

Having a proper waist is a really good sign. Fat around the middle is really bad for you, I have it unfortunately!

My GP checked own BP monitor against hers and now accepts the readings from that as my BP is so high when I'm in the surgery. When I was ill and went to A & E they were thinking about doing an ECG as my pulse was racing so badly.

I have white coat syndrome,I can't even have a 24 hr monitor as it's uncomfortable and stresses me out. I have a home monitor and do it at the same time every few days. First reading is high then it settles down.