Currently uncontrolled hypertension - sick leave?

[Tumbleweed101]

I have recently discovered, pretty much by chance, that I have high blood pressure. However, this may explain some of how I have been feeling lately as I've not been 'right'.

I have an appt booked with my GP and I am taking readings each day. So far the highest readings are after work - I've been taking them about half hour after I get in after relaxing for a bit. The highest so far has been 173/105 after work.
None have been lower than 140/90 and I've been doing them about four days at different times.

Work has been stressful lately, and I have other stressors in my life currently, plus I have health issues I need to sort out. Would asking the Dr to sign me off sick be unreasonable, so that I can relax and make plans to sort out the problems that need addressing? Is it something they might sign me off for? How quickly does medication work for high blood pressure? (assuming dr offers some)

If it's still very high you might be signed off whilst medication is trialled to bring it down. They will very likely prescribe you medication if it remains at the kinds of numbers you've given here.

Thank you. The irony is I always used to have low blood pressure when I was young!

Well I think it's worth a try getting a sick note.. your job isn't worth dropping dead over! And it does make a difference.
I worked nightshirts up to the birth of my 3rd child and it did a number on my blood pressure and effected the birth.
If I had the time over I'd have gone off work much sooner.
Time spent with uncontrolled blood pressure can have consequences for later life.
It's not worth it. Your health should be your priority. Get signed off until it's controlled and back at a normal level.

With those readings you'll definitely be started on antihypertensives. They work within a few hours or faster so should bring your bp down fairly quickly (but can take longer to have the full effect)

How much longer does your GP want bp readings for before they review your readings and consider medication? If it's not long, you'd probably get the meds soon and feel their effect. But if work is feeling overwhelming and your mental health is suffering for more than just the bp, you could think about asking for a sick note for that. Can you do your job in your current state or not?

I always had low BP as a young adult. I had 2 weeks off work around June time as I didn't feel right. My blood pressure was around 190/110. Luckily, it's right down now I'm on meds. I think the 2 weeks off did me good

I haven't seen the GP yet but the receptionist suggested they'd probably ask for readings, so prempted a return visit by getting a monitor and doing them now. My appt is Weds so should have at least five days worth.

I've also been getting pains down my left shoulder and arm and have a weird crawling sensation inside my head which is the reason I made the appt on top of the initial high blood pressure reading at my friends (she's been monitoring hers so I thought it would be interesting to see mine!). I'm a little paranoid now about strokes and things but trying not to worry too much because at least I'm seeing someone this week to see if I can get some advice/help.

The last couple of years have seen work pressures and stresses, a parent with cancer, a parent who died (other parent to the one with cancer), our family dog that died a few weeks ago and just other single parent pressures of running a home and family. I'm wondering if my body just wants me to slow down for a bit.

Definitely go off sick honestly it's really not worth it. Your health is more important. Can you self certificate for a week and ask GP to sign you off for another week . I've been in a situation where I was very ill, went back far too early and have ended up much worse off.

If you are having pains down your left arm, it sounds like you need to go and get that checked out with an ECG

I guess because I mostly feel ok in myself so feel like I'm over reacting - by that I mean when you have something like flu you feel too poorly to get out of bed but this isn't like that. Obviously something is going on because the readings are so high, that's why I came on here to see if others felt it was the right thing to do. I'm glad the general feeling is I'm not overreacting!

One of my work colleagues was signed off with hypertension, so this is definitely a thing. I would ask to be signed off OP, those readings are high and your symptoms are concerning. Ultimately we're all replaceable at work, even if we do a good job.

If you get a BP reading that is high or highish it is common for your GP to ask you to take your readings at home for few days and feed back to them. It is not at all uncommon for those readings to be high if you are anxious or stressed.

If you are taking the readings at home it also not uncommon to do things which make your readings a bit off. For example, I've been taking my Mum's blood pressure regularly recently and do my own at the same time. Our (new and NHS approved approved) machine has told me endlessly that I have no pulse so it cannot get a reading. Clearly I have a pulse, but I have a tendency to fidget a bit whilst the reading is being taken. Mum doesn't tighten the sleeve enough so her own reading is always higher than why I do it for for it her. Getting over involved in taking your own blood pressure can be counterproductive and stressful. Also what is normal varies by age.

At the moment, pharmacies are dead keen to take your blood pressure and can feed the figures back to you doctor. If I were you, I'd keep popping to your local pharmacy to get it taken rather taking it yourself. Use those figures to feed back to your doctor.

After monitoring, if your blood pressure continues to be a bit elevated, what your GP may do is put you on a blood pressure lowering drug. They are unlikely to sign you off on the basis of that of that alone unless is sky high for a few readings. Also, the level the is considered

However, you mention stress and 'other health issues'. I think this is what you need to be talking to your doctor about in relation sick leave if that is what you feel necessary.

With your other symptoms I’d want to see a GP earlier than weds. Can you call again in the morning - or pharmacy as a last resort (tomorrow)?

YABU, hypertension famously doesn’t have any symptoms. ‘Weird crawling feeling in the head’ won’t be it.

The pills take 2 hours to work. You can try going off sick but pulling it off depends how much HR know about common ailments.

You’ll need to speak with your GP but I know lots of people with hypertension (including myself) who just take the pills and get on at work.

Mine was 220/130 when I went to the doctor and I was just given some pills which reduced it significantly within a few hours. Still higher than yours now, even when medicated - I have regular check ups and they fiddle with the meds but there’s no suggestion that I stop work.

If you drink any drinks containing caffeine then stop. Reducing his caffeine intake had an immediate effect on DH's blood pressure, which dropped down significantly.

Pharmacies are set targets to take blood pressure readings, but the patient has to fit certain criteria.

Thank you for all your replies.

Unfortunately my nearest pharmacy is a 20 mile round trip so isn’t feasible when I’m working 8-6 for next couple days otherwise I would, I’d prefer to get a professional view.

It’s good to hear meds work so fast.

I’ve taken the reading at different parts of the day and after different types of activity and written times and context. I know the readings and machine won’t be as accurate as a GP one but hopefully it’ll give them a view to what it’s doing.

Don't mess about, go off sick!

The results have been a bit lower the last couple days which is a relief. It’ll be interesting to see what it is at the Dr later today.

I've been given meds, need to have an ECG, blood tests and check kidney function. He said a couple of results I should possible have consulted 111 for. Got to go back in a month for results and med/health check.

I had similar and have had good results with candesartan and mounjaro

You don't need to take time off work for hyptertension. Take the medication and the BP will be lowered. And you don't "feel" it - silent killer and all that. the fact that you now know means you can be treated. I would not look kindly on someone taking time off work for high blood pressure.

I'm not taking time off, Dr said it wouldn't be necessary as meds will be effective quickly.

However other symptoms I was worried about are going to be investigated further.