is it normal to have fluctuating blood pressure ?

[wfrances]

hi all.
ive had my blood pressure taken about 12 times these last 2 months (in hospital/surgery) for one reason or other,
mostly its high, sometimes normal but sometimes its low.
im 39 and not on any meds.
is this normal?
my gp mentioned "your blood pressure fluctuates a lot " when i was called in for a review as i had ,had too many high readings around 4 weeks ago.
the rhematologist also commented on it last week
should i be worried?

Hi wfrances. BP can fluctuate depending on circumstances, especially anxiety, but what do you understand by high or low? 'Normal limits' are 140/145 over 85/90 but ideally lower is better, if that makes sense. If your high BP readings were associated with stressful situation, e.g. Surgery which makes most people anxious, then it might be normal at other times. Your practice should be keeping an eye on you, such as monthly checks for a few months, usually with Practice Nurse. They can also fit you with 24 hr BP monitor and see what your BP is doing when you are out of clinical surroundings and take whatever action necessary with the result. If you are overweight then losing just a few kilos can make a difference, taking a bit of regular exercise, just a brisk daily walk for twenty/ thirty minutes if that is possible with Rhuematic condition, or something meditative (tai chi, chi gong, yoga, meditation, relaxation exercises that sort of thing) can also help. Sounds like you need to understand what is going on, so suggest you have a chat with your Practice Nurse or Nurse Practioner at your GP surgery, they do more BP management than Gp's these days.

hi faded- im not overweight, dont drink or smoke.
i dont know the actual readings - they just say "its too high" or "great its normal" or " its low "
i cant exercise at all -its too painfull (even getting up/down)
i have been referred to physio / pain clinic to try to get me moving .
maybe its that - im weak/unconditioned.

Mine does too. I have dysautonomia diagnosed. I have it as a secondary condition due to hypermobility.

Hi wfrances. Sorry you are in pain - rotten for you - hope Pain Clinic can really help. As for your BP - does make me cross when HCP's makes unhelpful comments and do not explain what they mean, just causes further anxiety. Does your surgery have telephone consultations, so you have a chat with PN/NP without the ar*e-ache of having to go to the surgery? GP practices have 'targets' for BP management so should be ensuring that raised BP is checked out. Maybe your 'highs' were higher-than-normal-for-you rather than clinically abnormal. Still think you need proper explanation.