24hr blood pressure monitor results

[AnSionnachGlic]

Over last few months, my BP at doctor's surgery has been high so I've been put on a 24hr monitor. I've just finished now and the practice nurse said the average BP is 155/92 and is high. As it's Friday afternoon my GP will review this on Monday and contact me if necessary. Is this reading really high and if so what is usual action? I'm on long-term pain management for Chronic pain, am on Warfarin for previous dvts, and also have a paralysed right diaphragm for 15 years.( phrenic nerve damage). Im 53 years old and on hrt oestrogen patch as had hysterectomy in my 40's. I really would prefer not to go on more medication, if possible, but obviously don't want to put myself under risk. Has anyone any experience of this level BP and the outcome?

Yes I've had 24 hour blood pressure monitor
My result was much higher

I am on medicine for it now

Do you take BP readings at home? I usually have high readings at the surgery and my GP tends to ask me to take readings at home to see if they are much different. I would imagine that you would need to take medication with those readings unless you can show that your BP is under control away from the surgery. Do you think you have white coat syndrome? I completely understand you not wanting to take more meds, I am the same! I know in my case I worry about being prescribed more medication which then makes me stressed and my BP shoots up. Hopefully you have a nice GP who can have a chat with you about your options!

@carkerpartridge The point of a 24 hour bp monitor is to have readings done at home, so as to try to exclude white coat syndrome.

Your average reading @AnSionnachGlicis in the Grade 1 hypertension range, so the GP might start with suggesting lifestyle changes and/or medication.

SilenceInside Yes I understand in theory the 24 hour monitor should give a more accurate reading but I have had it a couple of times and found it incredibly stressful. I think just the thought of taking your BP can be stressful even away from the white coats!!

@AnSionnachGlic they may also suggest you getting a home BP machine so you can take your own readings and monitor them for a period of time. I have one, and when my BP is due to be reviewed I take a week’s worth of readings (morning and afternoon) and send them in to the GP surgery. I also take readings regularly and record them in an app so I have a history of readings if needed.

I've got white coat syndrome and have been on the 24 hour machines a couple of times and it's always comes back normal

I do find the machines stressful though, especially when they make the noise to let you know they are just about to take a reading, makes me tense up in anticipation

I’ve done manual readings just after the machine timeframe and they've always just been slightly lower

I have white coat syndrome, both at the doctors and at home! I get very anxious taking my bp. When I'm calm enough it's in the normal range but it takes a lot of effort to stay calm.

I'm the same and no matter how much I tell myself I am being ridiculous it doesn't change things. My GP had me recording my BP for a couple of months and I feel so much calmer now that I am not taking readings twice a day. I used to get so stressed about it.

Practice nurse called me this evening to say my GP is putting me on medication and that I need to get BP and kidney function checked in two weeks. Hopefully I won't have many side effects to this medication. .... Sorry, I had a longer reply to posts but unfortunately it seems to have disappeared!!

Mine wasn’t as high but I’m on two medications for it, amlodapine and losartan potassium.

How was your day though? Typical? Some stress? Chronic pain? Blood pressure meds are very good and are well tolerated by most.

I had to go on BP meds after my BP didn’t return to normal after complicated pregnancy. My consultant explained that the meds were really to prevent longterm damage of elevated or labile ( BP goes up at rest due to stress) hypertension. I’ve been on them for 20 yrs and so far they appear to have been effective. I hit my heaviest weight last year, a combination of another medication and a difficult year so took action and I’m now 10kg lighter and hopefully will lose another 10kg.
All my bloods and BP are now back to normal.
I have essential hypertension so had high bp before my weight went up, but it was stable on meds until I gained weight.
If your weight is healthy then losing weight will have no effect although it’s important to maintain a healthy weight which gets harder as you age.