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Scared to take blood pressure

Posted , 6 users are following.

gs47
gs47

I'm not sure if I have high blood pressure or not. At 74, I suspect I may have at least what's called prehypertension, though the guidelines constantly change. Anyway, my cardiologist told me to take my BP daily. I had asked him for some medication and I think he didn't like the idea of me taking any unless really needed, which I am all for too.

But my problem is that taking my BP upsets me and gives me a rush of anxiety. Then, it gets worse and each time I take it, it usually goes up unless I manage to somehow get it down, like with isometrics.

I know there is a thread on this topic on here but it is quite old and not active. I'd appreciate feedback from others who either have this type of anxiety or have had it and any advice as to how to deal with it. I'm trying meditation and other things. I'm not without inner resources. But I feel so alone and worried and stressed that it seems to all come out when I even look at that BP machine.

Thank you in advance.

1 like, 7 replies

7 Replies

  • toni07149
    toni07149 gs47

    Posted

    I lit my anxiety get the better of me and now in currently sat in hospital because I was to anxious and had nothing done to make sure everything was okay even through my bp is 115 -125 currently. I'd say do what ever the doctors say to make sure your okay and if you arnt happy ask to be referred to hospital yes it may be a long wait there but it's always better to be safe then sorry

  • dana01526
    dana01526 gs47

    Posted

    When I had my mental breakdown last August mainly all anxiety, I checked my blood pressure 50 times a day at least. I was so worried. I also have a cardiologist and I have what’s called atrial fibrillation so I get a little worried from time to time, but I’m also in the stage of pre hypertension. I’m only 24. How I deal with it is I do do mediation every day. There are tons of videos on YouTube and I try to caume myself down. I’m also on a low dose of atenenol which is a beta blocker and it. works amazingly for anxiety and cardiac issues, (keeps my heart rate at 65) and also my blood pressure stays low. I also have Major health anxiety. Anyways I ended up throwing out my blood pressure machine and trusting my cardiologist. If worse comes to worse I’ll end up getting a EKG. Best wishes and good luck.
    • gs47
      gs47 dana01526

      Posted

      I think perhaps throwing the machine out may be the best thing to do. I feel the same way with the scales. I'm anemic (slightly) and take iron pills. The pills have put some extra weight on me and that depresses me too. Thanks much for your reply. I hope you're doing better now.

  • mary47842
    mary47842 gs47

    Posted

    Maybe u can explain this to your dr to change med or put u on a low dose anxiety pill

    Feel better soon

    Mary

  • Guest
    Guest gs47

    Posted

    Hi gs47,

    I think if your blood pressure was a concern to your cardiologist he would have put you on medication to control it.

    We can become obsessed with blood pressure and taking it as regularly as you are are is not going to give you accurate readings because of the anxiety build up prior to you taking it.

    I don't know whether you are in the UK or not but if you are, perhaps it would be better if you could arrange to have it checked at your doctor's surgery perhaps weekly or fortnightly for a while so that they can keep a record there for you.

    I know that even doing this, white coat syndrome could increase your BP reading but they give you time to chill a bit before they take it. Some slow breathing for a couple of minutes before taking it can help calm you down.

    Your BP reader is becoming your nemesis, your arm must be very sore taking all those readings.

    There are many ways that you can help too which you will find on the internet. Green tea and magnesium are good for high BP.

    Take care

  • janice092257
    janice092257 gs47

    Posted

    I'm sorry to hear that you are going through this. I'm going through the same thing only I know that I have very high BP. Just thinking about having it taken or seeing a stethoscope triggers anxiety that's off the charts. I had a bad experience with a Dr once who threatened to quit being my Dr because I couldn't tolerate any BPrds. The side effects are horrid! So, here I sit with horrible side effects from yet another failed attempt. I can't stop taking this poison due to rebound high BP that goes into stroke level. I already have bad anxiety ftom being alone 24/7 and unable to drive or douch. All of my kids live in different states. I see pain mgt, and cardiologist, psychiatrist and psychologist. I need and am currently waiting for my 5th major back surgery but with the BP and anxiety prbs, I can't have it done yet. I have Cardiologist appt in 2 days. This isn't same Dr that started my super anxiety with BP but he has basically the same attitude. I'm sorry I have no solution for you but I wanted you to know that you are not alone with this BP anxiety. Funny thing is, once you calm down about it, your BP will go down. Almost had a surgery cancelled in pre-op due to high bp reading, but luckily surgery was late, I calmed down and took a nap while waiting and was able to have surgery after all. It's incredible how much our minds can control everything and every body system. Being alone and always in your own head with no distractions is the worst way to live. Humans are not meant to be alone and disabled for weeks and weeks on end. I hope you find some relief. Praying for you to find a solution and be assured you are not alone in this battle

    • janice092257
      janice092257

      Posted

      I just reread my reply and am mortified at what my spell checker added to the conversation! I should have reread before sending. I apologize if I offended anyone. It was definitely a spellchecker error!
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