High blood pressure? ECG? Bloods.

[Dreamer2027]

My reading of my blood pressure was 133 88 reading at home. My GPs phoned me and want me to go in on Monday for an ECG and Bloods I asked why and she said they do that depending on the readings. Might anyone know is it really necessary? I have terrible anxiety and I always get much higher blood pressure at appts. I also don't want to take my top and bra off for an ECG I am trying to find out on Google if i have to do that. I'd be very appreciative if someone could advise and maybe have advice if its necessary from that reading i have these further tests and am I allowed to keep my bra on? Thankyou.

I had an ECG a couple of weeks ago. Bra on but top off.

You could wear a cardigan or button up shirt (or both!) and unbutton it and keep bra on, than wrap it over for modesty. Or bring a small blanket to place over you.

ECG only takes a couple of minutes which was a relief. Results available instantly.

Good luck!

When I’ve had them I’ve just lifted my top up, they put the sticky things on - lifting bra up at sides, but bra stays on. They may have a sheet of paper you could put over you they put over beds. I’ve had so many, I don’t care anymore cos I’ve realised they aren’t actually looking at anything other than where they stick the sticky things & wires. Hope it goes well & you are comfortable.

That’s unusual to ask for ECG with a normal blood pressure. But if you do need one you really need to take your bra and top off. An ECG is not accurate with a bra on especially if underwired. You just can’t accurately place the electrodes with a bra on.

I always use a woman’s clothing to cover her up though so you’re not exposed for long.

If BP in clinic is repeatedly elevated we’d ask for home BP monitoring and/or 24 ambulatory monitoring.

I had this recently with almost exactly the same BP - I am overweight and had never had an ECG. Bra stayed on (no underwires, not sure if that made a difference) all very quick and easy. I also had to do a urine sample as well as bloods.

That's borderline blood pressure, do you have any other risk factors? You will need to take off top and bra for the ECG.

My blood pressure average is the same as yours. My GP said it was borderline and will re check in 6 months.

an ECG takes a minute or two depending on the experience of the person doing it.

It also depends from person to person whether you need to take of your top and bra or not.

Having said that, I had an ECG taken at my local Dr’s surgery and she took 45 minutes to actually manage to take the bloody thing. Wouldn’t have lasted five minutes in a hospital environment.

Don’t listen to me, clearly your bra is meant to come off. Still my experience is no one is looking at you though, only where they put the sticky things & wires

I had one and kept my bra on but it was a sports bra so no underwires.

I had an ECG (also because of blood pressure although at the time mine was extremely high, not like yours)
I didn't have to take my bra off for it. And mine is underwired yes

Hi Dreamer2027,

I had high BP at my last routine health check, it was slightly higher than yours. Nurse took it 3 times but it was constantly high.
I had to go back the following week to have a 24 hour BP monitor fitted ( it basically takes your BP every hour ) thankfully it was ok and nothing more was needed.

If you can wear a sports bra/non wired bra you'll be able to keep it on.

Been in and out of the GP for weeks with high blood pressure (205/139 ) and must've had half a dozen ECGs and they've let me keep my bra on every single time. Don't worry about it but definitely do get it investigated properly. They only really monitored mine without actually looking or proactively trying to lower and unfortunately I've been really quite unwell this week.

Good luck! It'll be fine, I'm sure.

Wow! I feel like I dodged a bullet there. I declined checks as I have a home monitor which I bought years ago because of 'white coat' syndrome. (This has been confirmed by various HCP) Obviously if I get high readings at home, in other words a non pressured environment, I will contact my GP.

Maybe I'm a little older but my GP would probably throw a party if my blood pressure was that low...

Honestly it's probably nothing

Thankyou. I have had the blood pressure monitor at home for the last 2 weeks off my GP and that was my highest reading the 133 88. I was taking 2 readings in the morning and 2 in the evening I handed the results in to the gp and then I've had a phone call to ask me to go in on Monday for the bloods and ECG.

Oh, and ECGs are fine, the only downside is that I seem to keep finding the sticky pads for days after I think I've got them all

@Dreamer2027 I don't 'hand in' results. My preference. I declined the routine testing, look up my own home results and would contact GP if I felt it was necessary. Less faffing.

I don’t think your readings are actually that high tbh. But best to do whatever GP advises.

But, I've had ECGs (had cancer treatment a few years ago). They're fine. Did take bra & top of but just closed my eyes and tried to imagine being on a beach! 😎

Thankyou for replies. I just wonder why then if its not even that high why they want me to go in on Monday for the bloods and ECG. I wonder if I should cancel if i don't really need to have them done. I did ask why and all I was told was depending on results they then ask you to come in for these tests.

@Dreamer2027 its a fairly new policy. It started with a few famous people banging on about high blood pressure and that is why we are now invited for routine testing. I declined, as I said. Told them no point as I have a home monitor. No problem they just note it down so they can take your name of the list. You can easily go back on the invite list if you want to.

With some types of screening you can even decline online. 😉

Your bottom number is over 85 (88), that's probably why they've called you back for further tests.

It also makes a difference how you test. Arm position and whether you are sitting or standing makes a difference. Time of day also. And the accuracy level of the machine.

This is me too! I have an app on my phone that allows me to transfer my machine readings so I can show that my BP is behaving itself. I still get anxious though!