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Women's health

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Blood pressure. Anyone know?

15 replies

PermanentTemporary · 16/03/2023 17:42

Had my BP checked at a work thing today and they said it was normal.

Stupidly I've googled my numbers and have found sites that say my systolic pressure of 87 would indicate that I have stage 1 high blood pressure. I have also found information suggesting that as a woman my diastolic pressure of 119 should be 110 or less.

Im now more worried than I was before! I've been considering Orlistat to try and kick-start a bit more weight loss (BMI is 31, loss is very slow) and it makes me feel i definitely should go for that.

Am I worrying unnecessarily??

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BHRK · 16/03/2023 17:45

I had very high BP readings at the GP and they suggested a buy a Boots monitor and do readings twice a day for seven days while at rest and while in my own home. All was normal. The BP monitor came with very clear instructions and I worked out the average reading over the week.
I certainly wouldn’t change anything on the basis of one reading (though well done and getting your BMI down and dieting)

WouldYouBuy · 16/03/2023 17:45

Did they only take it once? Had you been sitting down, fairly relaxed beforehand?

PermanentTemporary · 16/03/2023 17:47

Yes it was a one off. I was powerwalking from one ward to another on an insanely relentless day...

I will definitely buy the Boots monitor. Great call, thank you.

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PillBoxes · 16/03/2023 17:48

What are your top numbers?

120/80 is optimum, but that is not the reality for lots of people. OK to aim for but docs don't panic until it is above 135/90 (Last time I looked), so take it easy.

Cookerhood · 16/03/2023 17:49

I think you've got your systolic & diastolic the wrong way round. The higher number is the systolic & the lower number the diastolic.

WouldYouBuy · 16/03/2023 17:50

PermanentTemporary · 16/03/2023 17:47

Yes it was a one off. I was powerwalking from one ward to another on an insanely relentless day...

I will definitely buy the Boots monitor. Great call, thank you.

I think that explains it to be honest. It won't do any harm to get yourself a monitor though and I bet it puts your mind at rest.

slightlyslumamama · 16/03/2023 17:54

A great suggestion about taking it at home - this is exactly what I am doing right now (day 5 of at home readings.

BTW your readings are way below mine!

def but a monitor and read at home - rest for min 5minutes and take readings 2 minutes apart until they plateau. Record these

PermanentTemporary · 16/03/2023 17:56

I've read though that there may be a rationale for lowering the normal range for women prior to menopause.

Sorry about mixing up the two numbers! It was 119/87 anyway.

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User4670 · 16/03/2023 17:59

That BP looks OK to me and I wouldn’t be alarmed by it

Yoshithegreen · 16/03/2023 18:03

Currently under investigation as my blood pressure on average is 160/110, has been as high as 178/120. Currently been put on some medication and waiting on cardiology app for ecg, blood test etc. 100% measure it twice a day at home for 7 days and work out an average. There is a place to input data on the nhs website which tells you where your blood pressure falls

Random789 · 16/03/2023 18:18

119/87 sounds pretty good to me. I've just been to the docs today about my blood pressure, which is averaging 152/ninety-something. Doc told me that the point at which there is any kind of concern at all is 140/90 (I may have misremembered the second number). In any case, one single reading isn't enough data, since BP varies from monent to moment.

Even at my average reading, the doc wasn't horrified. He recommended meds, but suggested I research it and think about it for a while, at the same time as trying to improve it with lifestyle changes.

Amiable · 16/03/2023 18:30

119/87 is absolutely normal. Especially if you have just been power walking as exercise will raise your BP.

There really is no single 'ideal' rate - as with all these things there is a range, and unless it is much too high or low, it should be looked at in conjunction with other aspects of your health.

If you are concerned you can buy a home kit, and over time you'll work out your personal range, but I honestly would'nt worry, as it sounds fine

PermanentTemporary · 16/03/2023 18:30

Thank you lovely people. Reassuring and sensible from all x

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danni0509 · 16/03/2023 18:38

I get mine done at my ds CAMHS appointments every 8 weeks, as a way to show him it doesn’t hurt and to persuade him to have it done, every single time it’s raised. Ds psychiatrist told me to contact my gp as mines been high 4 times in a row. 2 weeks ago I think it was 147/96 or similar.

I bought my own Braun one from Argos and it’s perfectly fine. I’ve done it 3 times a week for the past 2 weeks and it’s always in the green. Done dh’s and his bp on our home monitor is in line with his latest gp readings.

Think it’s raised at ds appointments as I’m stressed taking him up there. When I’m at home I’m relaxed.

Taking mine at home as made me less worried about it.

Crikeyalmighty · 16/03/2023 19:36

These are perfectly ok readings .

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