Blood pressure readings

[Sitdownplease]

My GP has asked me to do two readings at home twice a day and to give him them at the end of this week. They are off for the Easter weekend so it will be next week before I hear anything. Sorry for the huge list but below is what I have taken on our own machine thing.

Day 1
158/112
144/86
136/85
119/69

Day 2
164/144
162/78
154/69
141/85

Day 3
162/99
152/99
164/93
166/87

Day 4
148/85
144/86
126/76
134/76

Day 5
134/82
135/80
168/76
168/75

Day 6
160/88
160/93
123/62
120/63

All readings taken at the kitchen table so sat still, no talking etc. they seem to very widely from high to ok. Do you know roughly what is going on here? Is this normal or not really. I can only go with Dr google and the high ones are a worry I think. I’d appreciate any thoughts you can give.

There’s a big variability isn’t there. My blood pressure is pretty consistent and doesn’t vary that much. Try doing them after you have been sat for 10 minutes. Has your machine been calibrated? Overall I would say you are hypertensive. Are you healthy? Is there room to be healthier? You could get these down with lifestyle changes.

I’ve just been looking at some causes.

We don’t cook with salt at all. Occasionally have salt on chips.

Don’t drink much. I’ll have a couple of gins on a Friday night. May be a couple on a Saturday. A bottle of wine can last me Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

I am about a stone overweight. I’ll get that off.

I walk quite a bit. More now the lighter nights are here but I’ll step that up. Excuse the pun.

Machine hasn’t been calibrated. It’s just a digital one which we bought. It’s either from Amazon or the chemist. Can’t remember.

I noticed that mine goes up after I've eaten, if that's relevant at all.

Are these the first readings? My GP told me to do 3 readings each time and to then use the 3rd reading.

Hello
The doctor will calculate your readings and work out an average blood pressure. For home blood pressure readings an average blood pressure over 135/85 is considered raised. Some practices do 24 hour blood pressure to get this average depending if available. Otherwise NICE guidelines are morning and pm blood pressure readings for 4- 7 days. 7 days is best if possible. Also best to take the best reading out of three for one reading, if that makes sense.
I'm not sure if your blood pressure readings are all after each other, morning or evening. But it appears from looking at them your current blood pressure reading average is raised

I do the readings twice a day. Two in the morning one after each other and then again early evening. One after each other.

As above, don't take the first reading. Do a second one and see if there is a difference. There is always a big difference in mine, so I take the 2nd or 3rd one, I'm currently on a medication that raises my BP (finished chemo) and the doctors started making noises about me having medication for it.

I took my own BP at home and took the daily average over a 12hr period using 2 hourly readings, I did this for 2 weeks and there was notable evidence that the medication given to me every 4 weeks affected my BP for 5 days then it dropped off to just bordering healthy ranges and my consultant was happy for me not to have it. I'm significantly overweight though, so doing a full health audit and taking steps where I can using SMART goals. (Specific, Measurable etc..)

I'd say your bordering on having hypertension and would do what you have already outlined. You sound aware of it and I'm sure you'll get there. Good luck!

@GinPalace2

Are these the first readings? My GP told me to do 3 readings each time and to then use the 3rd reading.

Two readings together, one after each other in the morning and then repeated early evening.

I’m going to call the GP tomorrow. Don’t want to wait until next week for them to check these and then discuss.

GP might put you on a 24 hr monitor to get a better look at it, DH has to do these every year or two and then they can see more what is going on. They are just a thing that you wear for 24 hrs that take your BP at regular intervals.

Are you anxious when doing your readings? This can make it go up. I think next step might be 24 hour monitoring for you. I have readings that can go up and down. I have had readings like 150/120 and then 106/66 in the same day! The high one was at the GPs and then two hours later at home was the low one. The GP was not concerned as she saw my 24 hour monitoring, which again had a lot of fluctuations (I checked every time it took my BP and I was super anxious the entire time !!!). Crazy how some people can have BP that goes crazy like that.

And if you are scared, the fastest way to bring BP down naturally is a whole foods plant based diet.

Oatmeal made w water banana and flax
fruits
veggies and salads
beans
brown rice
potatos and sweet potatoes

I called the Surgery today. I have a blood test tomorrow. Not sure what that could tell him as I didn’t get to speak with him. It was all via receptionists.

Blood test may be because GP is thinking of BP meds.
I have to have one as just started Candesartan for my elevated BP readings.

Thank you. Will see what the test says.

I was told that caffeine and nicotine (even vapes) can effect readings.