High Blood pressure

[pureolive]

I have a home blood pressure machine and at the moment my BP is measuring 143/91. My blood pressure is generally normal or slightly about the 120 mark and bottom number is always in the 80's.

I don't have any other symptoms, I'm definitely in Peri, and life is a little stressful at the moment. Should I consult my GP?

Are you checking it occasionally or regularly?
If regularly, then I would. It's a bit high but not emergency levels but if it's a change for you then best to ask an expert.

Try a couple more readings

I read it on Saturday and it was the same reading as today. Today I had only just sat down after moving around before taking it. Saturday I had been seated a while when taking the reading.

Keep an eye on it and book a check up. I've just spent a few days in hospital. I wasn't checking regularly, it went from normal at my hrt check 6 weeks ago to over 200/100. I was in danger of stroke. They originally thought I had one. I'm normal weight, non smoker, only moderate alcohol, exercise regularly, do a physical job, walk daily with dog, so technically low risk. It's now running at similar rates to you OP. It needs to come back to normal.

I have high blood pressure and have to submit readings to the nurse a couple of times a year to check the medication is working.

She says to sit for five minutes and then take up to three readings. She also said to make sure your arm was kind of up on a cushion so it’s not a long way below the heart.

What were you taking the readings for? Do you feel unwell?

I had a bit of anxiety on Saturday (I do suffer with anxiety quite badly at times) and a couple of times I felt like my heart was racing so that's why I did a reading. I put the anxiety down to peri symptoms which are coming thick and fast at the moment.

I am about a stone overweight and drink slightly more than I should which I know will be contributing to it.

Do it twice a day for a week and see the GP with your readings.

Try first thing in the morning, hydrated but before any coffee.

I've done another two readings. First reading was 147/84. After taking I realised I'd been sat on one of my legs.
I did another one 5 mins later and it was 136/87.
Will take another reading first thing in the morning.

Hi OP, I could have written this a few weeks ago. I had covid a few months ago, got over it but then after about six weeks I ended up with post viral nervous system dysregulation. I was really worked up and worried about it and went to my GP who referred me to a consultant to put my mind at ease. While I was at the appointment she took my BP and was 140/90. That the panicked me more and caused me to check at home. Of course I checked when I was worked up, BP read high, checked again, went higher. Queue full on panic attack.

Logically I knew I was ok as when I sat for 5mins quietly in either morning or late evening and took my readings they were always on the low side. Went to my GP for reassurance and she said I had no history of higher BP readings in there and that I was anxious which drove it up a few times. She told me she had no worries about my BP and to put away the monitor for my mental health.

Might be worth making the appointment just to put your mind at ease x

OP, take a weeks worth of readings - one in the morning and one later in the day. Disregard the first one and take at least one more.
Have a glass of water and relax for a few minutes before taking the reading. After a week, average the figures. If it's still higher than usual, go see your GP.

Thankyou all, didn't get to do a reading this morning - i slept in!
I have managed to get a telephone consultation with a GP tomorrow to discuss.

I take meds for high blood pressure so have to check regularly.
It’s right what a previous poster said, you need to take three readings, one after the other. The first one you can ignore as it’s usually higher, you’ve just settled & are probably a bit anxious. Sit quietly, try to relax then take it twice more & you’ll usually find it is lower.

My GP has asked me to record my BP for seven days.
So far it is still high later in the day but low in the morning. This morning's read was 101/77 followed by 107/78.