Problems with blood pressure going mad trying to work out levels

Heart health and blood vessels
1

Hi I had a routine blood pressure test carried out at the Doctors, he said it was high  155 systolic 96 distolic, I am 58 years old male.

He told me to get a lloyds pharmacy cuff machine so i got a lbpk1.

I do precisely what is says to do with cuff, which fits, and position myself and arm correctly.

But when i take my readings, in the morning i come down sit down, relax, then take reading first one is always higher than the 2nd and 3rd, even though their taken quite close together, how can this be.

This morning my first reading streight out of bed was  148 s 95 d heart beat 71  followed by in a short while 137s 88d  heart 70, finally 132s 89d heart 71.

later around midday   my first was   164s 110d 71 heart followed in a few minutes 145s 98d 71 heart and a few minutes later to 143s 96d 71

all my readings are like this so i take the average, my ears ring all the time and my head feels like its under pressure, not like a headache, but feels like someones blowing it up, proble is i have meneires disease so dont know if it that or blood pressure, also when the weather changes from low to high pressure i get the same problems with my ears aching and feeling full and blown up like head with ringing sounds, my gp says its the meneires disease.

He says he will start me on blood pressure meds after i have recorded a few months of readings, but seeing they differ within a short space of time, and i dont move off the seat where i am sat, its hard to know if the brand new monitor is working corrcetly, what do you guys think, really driving me insane my end.

2

Michael, my consultant asks me to take 3 readings, two minutes apart, once daily but at different times each day, and record for him the average figure of the 2nd and 3rd readings.  Like you, my readings start off with a high first figure and then reduce the longer I sit and relax.  So following this procedure that would make your average blood pressure this morning 134-5 over 70/71 which is perfectly normal.  However, your later lunchtime reading does seem to average out with a rather high diastolic reading.  I try not to take my BP too often throughout the day, believing that that in itself can create a bit of a panic situation therefore increasing the blood pressure.

I also suffer from ringing in the ears and I find that if I take a few deep breaths and relax particularly on the outer breath, the ringing improves.

Rather than leave you for a few months, I would have thought your GP would have suggested fitting you with an ambulatory 24 hour blood pressure monitor, especially as you already have the complicting situation with the menieres disease.  Perhaps you can see another Dr at the practice and ask about this so that you can have some reassurance.

Another thing you could do is to go back to Lloyds, with your new monitor, and ask if they will take your BP and compare the reading with that of your own monitor.  That will put your mind at rest as regards the monitor working correctly.  Lloyds and some other pharmacies do have such consultations with customers, but you may have to make an appointment.

Hope that helps.   

3

If you are borderline hypertensive then I would try taking CoQ10. Also give blood to see if that helps. Make sure you are eating well and excercising (brisk walking for at least half an hour a day)

4

Sitting quietly for 5 mins or so and taking several deep breaths is helpful. You can almost feel your arteries relaxing. As for the different readings taken a minute or two apart I have the same thing and have a feeling it's quite normal. My doc says to take just 2 readings a minute or so apart, record them and do that twice a day for a week,  then take the average of all the readings. At one time she said to take an average of just the lowest reading but that ruling seems to have changed.

I wouldn't have thought your numbers were so bad, even the ones taken in the surgery although like most of us you perhaps have 'white coat syndrome'?

Your diastolic numbers are high though, I've been told to get an average of 135/85 or below.

If you exercise, give up salt and restrict the booze [!!] and lose weight if you need to, then you may be able to manage without medication. Medication if you do have to take it is for lifecry.

5

As Mrs. O says, a 24 hr ambulatory monitor is the best way to diagnose hypertension. In my case it was the practice nurse who dealt with it, A retired dr told me that it's the practice nurses who do most of the work ...!

 

6

Blood pressure does vary and I find that the more anxious I get about my blood pressure, the higher the reading.  If there are concerns though, it does seem a bit laid back on the part of your doctor to suggest that you record your readings for 3 months before seeing him again.

I'm in Team MrsO.  I would attempt to gain reassurance from another doctor in the practice if at all possible. Also, investigate the links between Meuniers and blood pressure.  I'm not a doctor but, if your blood pressure was more stable, is it possible that the Meunier symptoms would lessen?  Whatever, there is probably a connection between the Meuniers and the blood pressure. Would just  mention that, in the last 12 hours, my blood pressure has varied from 169/96 to 123/76 - and I'm on medication!  My GP is monitoring me closely and I am currently seeing him at least once a week if not more often.  Yes  -  get the medical attention you deserve.  Insanity isn't a good option!  The very best of luck and keep us posted.

7

Oh yes - and Jane's lifestyle issues are crucial too.  Do you exercise?  Is your diet ok?  Minimal salt, sugar, alcohol, caffeine etc.  No smoking etc etc.  Am sure you know the score.

8

Thanks very much, I will ask my dr for a 24 hour test machine, and I dont drink, or smoke, and walk at least an hour a day with our dog. I will however not just take reaqdings right away, had a bit of conflict there, let me exsplain..  my gp said that i should always before every reading relax for 3 minutes, then take the reading, if high, wait two minutes and take two more readings 2 minutes apart.

I always just take a reading right away, because i was sent to aniother gp in the doctors, and he said that, he sees no point in relaxing befor each reading, he said !!!!!!!! when you buy a car you dont buy it if it wont go up hills would you !!!!! meaning he said ..... that whats the point of chilling out and obtaining a good result if when your walking around taking a pee, or what ever, the rest of the time you bP is high with out you knowing it.

This really put me into a contrary , because, the same dr says he had to put his self on Bp medicine 6 years ago, and i the nsaid i have read so much bad stuff about it, he said well he would have for sure died if he did not go on it. He then said he takes two years to admin the drugs on a patient to make sure none of the nasties take place.

He actually at this point in time sent me home saying he wants me to record tow reading a day one in the morning one in the evening for 5 months !!!!!! and this is the dr in the same practice that my gp said i needed to see because he 's the expert when it comes to heart and blood pressure related issues.

9

Thanks does it work just went to boots they said it does not lower blood pressure.

10

Thank you jane i also wrote a reply to mrs0

11

Thank you  i also wrote a reply to mrs0

12

Thank you i also wrote a reply to mrs0

13

Co Q10 or giving blood? Google it - there is enough positive evidence out there to make both worth giving a go. 

14

Thanks will have a good read up best regards

15

The monitors are usually accurate and BP is not consistant and can vary in quite a short period of time. Can you use your monitor on someone else a few times to see if they get the same variations? 

16

Do you work out an average for the month. I take readings three times a day and in August and September my averages were exactly the same  at 149/77 52 but during that time I had a high of 204/100 and a low of 99/55. Those two figures alone would give a similar average of 155/77.

Who said ? "Lies - damn lies - and statistics," still there are some easy figures the simplest must understand, and the astutest cannot wriggle out of.’

17

Michael, I can't believe that Dr  told you he would have "for sure died" if he hadn't gone on the BP meds, and then in the next breath told you to go home and record your own BP for a whole 5 months!!!  He should be asking you to go back for checks a couple of times over the next few weeks - he is the Doctor and he should be providing the service for which he is being paid....by you!  Definitely pursue the 24-hour monitor.  

 

18

Michael, I am probably one of a few that has Menderes disease as well as raised BP. I was diagnosed at age 25 and had it for over 20 years -it eventually fizzled out and in all that time I never had blood pressure problems. It was 3 or so years later aged around 45 I started with high BP.  On that basis I am not convinced the Menderes disease and BP are connected. Other than that I would agree with everyone else. I have been in hospital many times for long term health conditions and queried the variation in readings over the course of a day, and was told that there is no need to worry the average is over a day more than 150/100 or an individual one is more than 170/110 even when relaxed. Mine recently went to 220/145 and had to be admitted to hospital. Thankfully with a change to medication it is now more or less within gone normal range

19

Yes he did and I will pursue a 24 hour monitor when its available

20

I am just starting out on recording my blood pressure, could you guys please tell me how i average out the actual results, mt dr tells me to take 3 tests in the morning, and at the end of the day, so  will do what he says, but can you tell me once i have taken the first and allow a two minute break between each how to i do an average ???? thanks for your help