Blood Pressure Freak Out

[tulip]

Why in the world wouldn't you get it checked? Sticking your head in the sand doesn't help anything. Not to mention that being proactive and taking action is very empowering

[ny biker]

And it's not a failure to have a condition like high blood pressure. Some things are beyond your control. And for the things that you have some control over, if you don't think you've been doing well at addressing them, put the past behind you and start fresh. Don't forget that you're already doing some good things, like exercising regularly and avoiding some bad habits. Just identify some things that you can change and start changing them, one at a time, small manageable steps.

Good luck!

[witeowl]

First, it's not that frighteningly high. See this chart. Sure, get it checked, but I'm afraid that you're going to be panicked when you go, which will raise your blood pressure even more. So, when you do, make sure you relax. (Any chance you were a bit apprehensive about the upcoming needle?)

I suggest you either invest in a home monitor (or borrow one from a friend) or check yourself every week for a while in a drug store or grocery store. See what it averages out to over a period of time.

Lastly, please get this idea of being a "failure" out of your head. Blood pressure rises and falls so many times over the course of a day. You can't take one reading seriously. And, even if your blood pressure is borderline high, it's nothing that can't be dealt with through dietary or medical means. Some people are just predisposed to hypertension. You may be one of them.

[Aquila]

Thank you for all the helpful responses.

I found the chart especially helpful.

I think it's probably a combo of eating out over the holiday weekend (extra salt!!) and the beginning of the semester stresses (which aren't going away any time soon).

I hesitate to call the doctor's office because I'm afraid they'll think I'm an idiot. I'm afraid of that a lot, alas. And my blood pressure is always 20 points higher there than when I give blood (because I get I'm not scared of giving blood after so many years?).

Anyway, I appreciate the advice, and I'm going to push back the fear of being an idiot and call tomorrow. But I'm also not nearly as worried as I was the other day (thanks again for that), so that helps in itself.

[ny biker]

Who cares what they think of you? It's their job to help you take care of your health.

I always figure that no matter what I say to a doctor and no matter what I present with, they've seen it before, probably worse. In fact based on the stories I've heard since my sister became a nurse last year, I'm sure of it.

[Wahine]

I just want to reiterate what Witeowl said. This is not really that high and there are lots of possible explanations. Take a series of readings over a few weeks and see how you do. And stress is a HUGE contributor to blood pressure so you might want to try some stress management techniques like meditation.

[solobiker]

mine used to be high back in 2003. It was stabilized on medication then they took me off it in 2004. Well lately including today I have not been feeling well. I had the nurses at work take mine and it was 170/110 which is high for me as I usually run about 110/60. They checked it 2 other times and it was still about the same. Pretty crazy.