worried about bp

Hi Helen has your Dr told you its white coat syndrome, if it is do you have a home monitor, to rid your self of a phobia and that's what white coat syndrome is you have make it less potent, you have to take your bp every morning lunchtime and evening 3 times, this will desensitize you and make it a normal occurrence, the first couple of days it will be high but keep a list of times and readings including pulse and you will start to see a lowering of it.

Don't be scared if it makes you feel anxious that's quite normal, it just needs you to take control of the beast

Hi Helen im in same boat as you are ,many of us out there ,we're not unique believe me . Stressing will keep it high ,nature of this BP beast , white coat syndrome is well known by drs for their patients  when you go for BP test ,it can go up by 10 /15 points sometimes more ,then as you get the BP monitor off it drops . 

  Get a home monitor ,take readings from both arms ,not just the one . Some people go over the top and are taking it way to often during any given day ,again not good thing to do . 

  Does your Dr know how you feel ,always tell them if feeling anxious ,it's hard for them at times if you cover things up . How old are you Helen ? 

 

Take it just after waking

Helen go and get on Beetroot juice ,good for High BP ,organic in Asda cheaper than Holland and Barrett ,but same product . 

I used to check It once s day dont three times a week at different times when really relax anxiety can make it go Hugh and that's not your normal bp don't go to the drs and check it if the store get a home monitor

Hi helen07568...First off, I don't necessarily agree with Alexandria. Taking your bp that often won't resolve anything, but likely could very well contribute even more to your "white coat syndrome". You'd feel anxious at just looking at the machine.

By all means get yourself a machine for home. There are good ones out there, & I could recommend one, but I don't think that's permitted here in the forum.

Also, do NOT take your bp in both arms. You are not qualified to make comparisons, or why the readings may be different. Rarely has my Dr. taken my bp in both arms. The booklets you get with the home monitors specifically tell you to measure one arm only, usually the left. 

Do not take your readings if you are feeling anxious, are ill, in pain, have just drank coffee, tea, alcohol, smoked, bathed or showered. If you've done all of these, you must wait at least 30min after doing so, then take your readings.

If you get a machine that gives just one reading at a time, I've been told even by a specialist., to throw that number away..it's usually higher than normal...then taken 2 or 3 more..average those out, & that's your reading...OR if your machine will take 3 readings consecutively & provide you with the average..here's my suggestion..take a single reading first. Toss that one...then set the machine to take the 3 readings..but set the monitor to take those readings 1min. apart. Once the average appears, record that one. You certainly can if you wish..to show the 3 readings..but also write down the average of those 3 readings. 

Worrying doesn't do the bp readings any good. Take it from me..how well I know. 

I was at the point where the very mention of taking a reading made me anxious..or seeing the cuff put me almost into a spin..but in time you'll be the winner over it. After all the bp machine isn't a 3-eyed monster, it won't attack you., nor will it scream at you. I'm very much at ease with my Dr...we have an excellent rapport, I trust him implicitly, etc.etc...but as soon as he straps that bp cuff on me, I can feel myself tensing..& he knows it. 

I hope I've been of some help here. Please let us know how you get on.

You don't say what your blood pressure is Helen. 🤔

Hi Helen, I wouldn't worry too much about the white coat syndrome, the highest blood pressure I've ever had was at home, not in the doctors surgery or hospital. 😉

If you need advice outside a drs surgery ,have a word with British Heart Foundation over the phone ,let's face it they know hell of a lot in regards to BP . Better than a lay person ,ie no qualifications on this . We all can have input to our own situation ,and findings ,but that's where it stops . 

You more like me. I worry too much about how the readings will be and they end up high. I never get low results at the Doctors room. I suspect that we could be producing too much adrenal during stressful situations. How do you do in a fight/flight situation? Were you diagnosed hypertensive? Whats your average readings? Are you on medication?