High blood pressure when driving even though I’m a relaxed driver, any ideas why?

[Mustardfan]

I get high blood pressure when I’m driving, but I’m not stressed when I drive, I’ve been wondering if it could be to do with the body posture of sitting with arms raised - that might sound ridiculous, but I can’t think why else. Has anyone got any ideas?

Are you taking a reading whilst driving using a 24 hr BP monitor? Or do you mean your smart watch is giving high readings?

I don't see how you can take blood pressure accurately when driving??

I don’t take it when I’m driving. I take it when I stop.

You don't have to feel stressed to be stressed

You should only take your BP when you've sat and relaxed for 15 minutes. Do you do that?

Thanks for your reply Ladybug. Do you have a medical background? No doctor has never said to me that I should relax for 15 minutes before taking my blood pressure, and I’ve never seen that guidance written online. I can’t really see the logic either, if my blood pressure is high during the times that I’m not relaxed, then surely that is problematic?

Why are you interested enough to take your blood pressure so often though?

How high is high? It may be a combination of need to focus and tense position. As long as it comes down again is it a problem?

The thing is it's become an issue now so it probably will be high every time.

You are meant to rest for 5 minutes to get an accurate resting blood pressure. British Heart Foundation has guidelines on how to take blood pressure at home. It goes up and down throughout the day, just like your heart rate.

It's what I've always been told

The Doc says he needs an accurate picture of my BP when I'm calm. Not an inaccurate picture when I'm stressed. He says he knows it'll be high when I'm stressed