Hypertension grey area

Correction: I am vegetarian for most part but I do often indulge in fish and sushi. I don't eat any red meat and very rarely any chicken

A good set of questions, several of which I have also wondered about! I think you need to measure 140/80 consistently, certainly one reading over 140/80 is not enough. I take my BP with the cuff around my upper right arm and take 5 or 6 readings spaced about 3 or 4 minutes apart, although 1 or 2 minutes apart would probably be what most people do. I either sit at a chair or lie down on a couch, but lying down often produces lower readings for me.

I find the same thing as you, the first readings are usually higher than the last readings, sometimes considerably higher. My theory as to what causes such a big variance is that, the longer I relax, the lower my pulse goes and in my case this also results in a lower BP reading. Some people say you should disregard your first 1 or 2 readings because they will be higher due to your moving around etc prior to you taking your readings. I think there is merit in this approach because if I take my BP after heavy activity it's always much higher than it is after completely relaxing for several minutes. Although it's interesting to know your BP after heavy activity, I think most doctors prefer the readings taken after your pulse has had time to slow down. It's also common practice to average say, the last 3 readings you have taken.

When I visit my doctor he takes at least 3 or 4 readings, one of which is after I have had time to relax. So, I wouldn't think there's anything wrong with your home machine, but get your doctor to check it out and compare it with his machine.

Regards

Martin

I take my blood pressure monitor to the doctor's office with me and have the nurse take my blood pressure with my monitor after or before she takes the BP for the doctor with their machine.  Mine only varies up to 4 points each time, so I know I have a reasonably accurate home BP monitor.

hi Alex 

A word of advice,You are in danger of becoming fixated about your blood pressure I know because i started going down the same path.Try to give yourself a break from taking readings. From your description i dont think you have any thing to worry about your b/p is going up and down all day if you take a reading after eating or drinking it will be slightly up and apparently b/p is higher in the winter?

Hi alex16733...I fully understand your frustrations. Firs tof all, you say that you are consistently over 120/80. You'd be surprised at how many people believe that number is the 'golden' rule. It is NOT. Your readings of 125/80 or 130/85 aren't all that bad, but there are things doctors take into consideration. Keep doing the low sodium, low fat, high fibre etc.etc...& exercise when  you can. This all adds up. 

There is no real right way to tell if you are hypertensive other than consistent readings that are high, & confirmation from your doctor. 

Now about taking the readings. Blood pressure fluxuates. What you describe being 139 one minute then 127 two minutes later is nothing. Throw the concern away when it comes to that. Here's how I've been trained to take bp readings:

Sit in a comfortable chair...feet flat on the floot. Apply the cuff to your left arm, about 1-1 1/2" above the bend in the elbow with the cord running straight down the centre of your arm so that it sits at your middle finger. Palm UP. Be sure the cuff is on yoru arm at heart level. Sit & relax a few minutes. Take 3 readings...each 1 min. apart. Then average those three. That's your reading...OR you can record all 3 readings & keep them to show your doctor. My machine can be set to take individual readings or the "Tru Read" which takes 3 consecutively,

the presents the average along with the pulse rate. I can also view the individual readings. If you are not feeling well, anxious, or in pain, don't take readings. They likely will not be accurate. Also, if you get high readings, don't keep taking the measurements. The anxiety will spike the bp. Let it go.."tomorrow's another day".

Try to take your readings at the same time of the day. Do not take readings within 30 min. of showering/bathing, drinking coffee/tea, eating or drinking alcohol. 

My readings at the Dr. is 140/80, but I'm an older guy, & have a long drive to see him. I always take readings for him to see. What you might want to do is to take your machine to the Dr. with you to compare readings...but bear in mind, if you're even a ittle anxious, the readings may be 'off'. Yes, my Dr. takes just the one reading too. In my mind that's hardly a way to accurately know a person's bp.

Please let me know how you get on with this. 

My consultant advised a similar routine of taking blood pressure to Mike's advice above, with one slight difference, which is to take 3 readings each a couple of minutes apart, but then only record the average of the last two readings.  Otherwise it sounds as though you are following all the healthy options, and I don't think those readings of yours are anything to be unduly concerned about.  Just monitor from time to time but not too frequently or it will become an obsession and very likely cause an increase the figures!

Alex, having read your post, I have come to the conclusion you are neither hypertensive nor pre-hypertensive. Your numbers are quite normal for a large proportion of the population. I think you are worrring about nothing.

Also, I have always been told the magic number is 140/90, not 140/80.