Stress induced palpitations during blood presure measurements.
Posted , 5 users are following.
Hi, I'm 20 years old. I have some kind of problem with anxiety over measuring blood pressure. My measurements aren't that bad. I usually get something around 130/75. It's not perfect, but there's a history of hypertension in my family and I just started to work out more and make some diet changes, so I believe it can get little better. On the other hand the problem is my BPM rate that is constantly 100-140 during thouse measurements. I'm sure it's because of stress. When I'm sitting and trying to measure it I already feel my heart going faster. I feel exactly like after solid session of training. I have this problem only when measuring blood pressure. I have a chest strap BPM monitor and when I'm resting I have a BPM of 70-85. How can I defeat that weird sense of anxiety about blood pressure monitoring?
0 likes, 8 replies
Purpledobermann pittbox
Posted
At 20 is there a reason for frequent BP monitoring? Is it because of family history or the new exercise regime? Who initiated the monitoring? Just trying to understand the story.
WHat do you associate with this monitoring? Clearly it is triggering some resistance in you. Perhaps you are expecting/anxious about something going wrong? Have a negative image in your mind of someone on a BP monitor who then passed away? Ever been in an accident? How do you feel in hospitals? Any fear of them or of doctors? Anyone close to you passed away?
Do you feel the urge to frequently request or monitor your own BP?
The reaction is likely to do with fear of death or disease of some kind. But need more info.
pittbox Purpledobermann
Posted
One year ago when I was tested by occupational medicine doctor I had a high blood pressure (systolic over 140). Since that day I measure blood pressure alone about two times a month and results are better compared to this check-up, so I predict it might be a "white-coat" hypertension.
Well, maybe I'm anxious about blood pressure measurements because one of the person I know passed out on my eyes. I thought it was a heart attack and it turned out he had some problems with blood pressure medication. His BP levels dropped out to 90/50 or something close as it turned out. I predict maybe I'm afraid of taking medications at such a young age and its side-effects because of family history.
This might be a case because I don't get such rapid heart rate all the time. When I get a result closer to 120/70 I'm less nervous at the next measurement. When it's higher (systolic over 130) I'm more anxious at the next measurement.
Purpledobermann pittbox
Posted
The borderline for high BP has been increasing over the years and yours does not seem so notable. I would only be worried if there are notable fluctuations regularly. This can be exhausting on the system.
Meanwhile a gradual increase in exercise routine will serve to strengthen the heart and eventually help keep your blood pressure and heart rate more stable.
Do you have any other anxiety triggers or symptoms you feel may be noteworthy?
Are you on any medication or supplements?
General advice is to keep your salt intake modest, go easy on caffeinated drinks and electrolyte mixes or energy drinks (preferably avoid those altogether). Avoid stimulant recreational drugs and any stimulant supplements or medication unless necessary. For drinks Opt for water, fresh juices, chamomile tea will be very very helpful. Small amounts of fresh garlic thrown into food at the end of cooking (to just scald it but not cook it along with the food) can help keep your BP in the lower ranges. Fresh parsley will neutralize any odour - just chew on a leaf or two after garlic consumption, although taken in small amounts odour may not be an issue at all.
Exercise must be moderate, smooth and gradually intensified over time.
All the best.
pittbox Purpledobermann
Posted
No, I'm not aware of anyone in my family dying because of hypertension problems. Just one of my parents currently takes medication.
I don't take any medications and supplements.
Thanks for your tips. I know about salt's side effects on blood pressure. I don't try to add salt to any meals.
Purpledobermann pittbox
Posted
However, again do you have any other anxiety triggers or symptoms?
If there are no other anxiety symptoms, you can try gradual desensitization - asking the nurse or doctor to measure and remeasure until brain clicks into place/shifts gear. There must be no emphasis on the level of your BP, just the process itself.
It is very unusual to get isolated anxiety responses over a single trigger. That would be more like a phobia. But yours seems atypical. Making me curious. Are you ok with getting your blood drawn? Dentists?
pittbox Purpledobermann
Posted
I don't have problems with getting my blood drawn, etc.
There are no other possible triggers I can think of. But I can clarify something. Maybe I kind of wrongly make that sound like I have this problem with rapid heart rate since I started meauring my blood pressure. To be honest for the most part I didn't pay attention with my BPM result on the monitor and I don't remember any palpitations that made me worried. I just didn't monitor my heart rate. I probably shouldn't use word "constantly" in my first post. I'd say that I pay attention to my heart rate from about a month or little more. I remember about 3 weeks ago my monitor showed a result of 74 bpm, which doesn't sound bad.
I believe I can tell something more. One day (about 2 weeks ago) I was getting some unusually high results of blood pressure (even close to 160 systolic) and actually my dad was measuring it with me. He said that my pressure is really bad and that I need to see a doctor and he was already talking about medication, which sounded a little hasty for me since I measure BP regulary and I my results wasn't mostly worrying. I measured my BP day later (it was still high, but lower) and two days later I was in my usual range of 120 - 135 systolic (diastolic was normal during all those measurements).
I don't know what was the cause of those high readings, but during next two measurements my BP wasn't worrying. Anyway, since that time I still get high BPM heart rate over 100 during measurements. I believe I'm probably worrying about getting bad result. I just wanted to know if other people had periods with some problems.
Sorry for not making some things clear enough at the beginning.
Ashley025 pittbox
Posted
Maybe you have high blood pressure. I think I have that too. I don't check mind though but I feel lightheaded when getting up and dizzy. My head feels full at the time. Ask your doctor what could be causing this. 👍
Joe79711 pittbox
Posted
Sometimes you can't, just have to know it's going to go up a bit when you take it. Just try and relax knowing it's only higher because you are worried about it. Plenty of meds to control blood pressure these days.