Aa
Aa
A
A
A
Close
446896 tn?1237802742

Conquering fear of blood pressure machines?

I know I am not the only one who absolutely freaks out when having my blood pressure taken.  Every time I go to the Dr's office, they always comment on how high my pulse and blood pressure are (last week when I went it was 127/92 and pulse of 133!)  Ha...and those numbers arent even unusual for me!  I know the pulse is high, but I don't worry about it as much just because I take it frequently at home now, and know that it is usually in the 80's when I'm at home.  But the blood pressure...ugh!  I am just convinced that I am going to have a really high reading sometime and that I'm going to just kill over.  And the docs and nurses make it worse by always saying "well, your numbers are a little too high for your age, even though you are nervous" (I just turned 30).  

So...has anyone successfully conquered their fear of having their blood pressure taken?  How did you do it?  I really want to get over this. I mean, I feel like i try to do everything right...I eat fairly well, I'm definitely not overweight, dont smoke or drink, somewhat active...the only thing I have trouble with is my anxiety.  Ugh...this is frustrating!
164 Responses
Sort by: Helpful Oldest Newest
Avatar universal
My dear God. I'm not alone. I thought this was something my mom passed me. She also had higher than usual BP when going to the doctor, but I can see that a lot of people suffer from it. In fact, I'm pretty sure I don't suffer from very high BP. Is just plain and simple anxiety. I'm 51, and the last time I went to the cardiologist, my BP was 160/90, and HR was around 140. The doctor prescribed Diovan 320mg, and asked me to keep measuring my HR, and advice him if it came lower. Just walking out of the hospital, it went down to 90, and at home, it was steady around 75.

A couple weeks later, I started feeling weird, lacking strength, feeling feverish, not even been able to touch my wife. I called the doctor, and told me to go down to Diovan 160mg. I felt better the next day. It's been 6 months since, and I haven't had the courage to measure my BP again. I plan to get the wrist machine, and see if I can manage to reduce the anxiety and measure it, at least a couple times a week.

But that's not all I've done for my health. I reduced salt consumption to a minimum, cut egg intake in half, I eat salmon 3-4 times a week, no pork, less bread, zero rice, breakfast is 1 boiled egg and a cup of cereal with some fruit and liquid yogurt, lunch is broiled chicken, or a piece of stake (no salt), salad and sometimes lentils or beans, and jello. Dinner is usually a big plate of salad with only olive oil, sometimes avocado and zucchini, and a piece of either salmon or chicken breast, with a few drops of olive oil in a hot dry pan. And a couple apples. That's all. I also walk fast for an hour 3-4 times a week.

I also eliminated sodas completely, I only drink water and wine ;) I also eat raw carrots or apples for afternoon snack, or peanuts and almonds.

I had a blood test a few weeks before going to the doctor last December, and my cholesterol was a bit higher than the normal level, but just a tad bit. I imagine that by now it should be normalized, with the dieting I'm doing. Tryglicerides were about normal.

So, as I said, my plan is to get the wrist machine, and have another set of blood tests on October or November, and go visit my doctor again the first week of December.

Now I know that my fear is real, and is the main cause of my higher than usual BP, since I don't have any symptoms whatsoever. No head aches, no nothing. My only symptoms started once I started taking the Diovan, and I've read it does get side effects, like increased sensitivity to heat. And sadly I live in a very hot country, so the weather doesn't help. That could be another cause of what I feel.

I was particularly relieved when I read nurse Greenlydia post about relaxing and stop reading "10 ways to die from high BP".
In fact since I had my BP taken at work last year, and it was obviously high, there is a record of that in my file, so next week there is a "High BP awareness workshop" and there will be a nutritionist and a doctor there, and I was "required" to attend. But I plan not to, one because it freaks me out, and I know they will measure everyone's BP. And secondly, because I don't need to read about how bad high BP is to your health, and what can happen to you if you don't take care of it. I KNOW is bad, for Christ's sake, and that's why I went to the doctor, that is why I'm dieting, and why I'm exercising. I don't mind the lecture about nutrition, but I'm sure I can find the same information on a google search.

Anyway, thanks again for this thread. It really made me feel good, supported and understood. I'm not alone. Yipeeee!!!! Love you guys and gals.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Hello Everyone,
I have a friend who has the same problem.

I've found the "fitness tracker" wristband "Riversong wave BP" that takes the blood pressure every hour during the night : it doesn't squeeze your wrist, you don't feel anything when it checks your blood pressure.

You can also check your blood pressure during the day but manually...

It also check your heart rate. It's also a pedometer...

I've compared the results with a medical machine and the results are accurate.

When you read comments about this product on internet, you will see that some people are happy and some people are disappointed…

If you use this wristband, check the results with a real medical machine (you can ask a friend to do it for you).

I don't work for the brand "Riversong", I just hope that this information will help you…

Good luck.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I've been writing out what goes into my mind on a piece of paper, and basically it's very self conscious, and thinking of what others might think, a kid thing that has to do with not feeling I'm as good as other's, this has been a part of me since childhood, it's like self punishment.  So the answer to my situation is at home by myself readings, and bring them to the doctor, also too the cuff is very uncomfortable, I really dislike it, so what I do is pray, meditation is very relaxing, and laugh, knowing I am a good person no matter what, and being anxious for what ever reasons, plays no role in how beautiful of a person I am, and now I realize there are many folks out there that hate blood pressure readings too, so knowing I am not alone, I am perfectly normal, makes this a lot lighter, and much more laughable.:):)
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I think it might have to do with low self esteem, are you afraid of what others might think, do you think you are somehow odd and others will think you are strange or somehow think less of you?  If so change it, be courageous if it's high just say I've been like this all  my life
laugh, say I will take my Blood pressure at home and if need so I'll bring it in and let you see my readings.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I have extremely bad white coat syndrome.  I lived in another state for 30+ years and my doctors (cardiologist, nephrologist, urologist and primary) all worked with me on it.  I found a BP monitor that had a printer so I could print out my home readings.  I would take them to my doctor visits and they did not require that my BP be taken at the office.  About once a year, I brought in my monitor and they took my BP in one arm and used my BP monitor for the other arm to make sure my machine was working properly.  I recently moved to a new state and my husband and I chose a doctor (much to our dismay) that would not even discuss the type of arrangements I had with my other doctors of 30+ years.   Since I was short on meds, I had to go through the visit.  My BP reading when they took it was 210/132 and she did not say a word about it being that high even with white coat syndrome.  My other doctors, on my first visit to them, always asked more questions and delved into the extremely high blood pressure readings that they get.  My normal blood pressure at home is 115/60 to 125/70.
This doctor was very rude to both my husband and to me.  Her staff mirrored her attitude.  Needless to say we are in the process of finding a new doctor.  We are not people who are difficult with doctors and have had the same doctors for many years.  Two of the doctors have become friends and have been to our home and we have interacted socially.  
My white coat syndrome is not only exhausting to me, but a threat to my well being since I have an abdominal aneurysm and only one kidney.   I sympathize with all who have this same reaction to blood pressure.  I have tried hypnotherapy, self-hypnosis, meditation, etc. and have complete control over the rest of my life, but was never able to conquer this problem.  
If you can find compassionate doctors who really care about you, they will work with you so that you suffer the minimum stress.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
sooooo i have just discovered that i get anxious as **** when i go in for the bp reading even when i'am in the waiting room sweaty palms and sweat from pretty much everywhere just comes on. I'am currently studying para-medicine and have recently had my fitness test with them my first reading was 163/84 with a HR of 65 fair to say i was so nervous it feels like its a test and i go into survival mode and want to do whatever it takes to win (or pass)  after 2 minutes we got it down to 142/80 which is still some what higher than normal but they allow for a "stressful environment". My only advice is which i'am  now taking on board is yep fear of a bp reading is definitely a thing and just go  in there happy and have a laugh because lets face it we are never gonna get 120/80 its just not gonna happen unless were inside our own home and our mate does our bp reading for us anywhoo thats my rant :)
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
SO SO glad to find this thread. I normally have 120/80 - all my life. I am 53 now. But I just moved to the burbs from the city and gained 15 lbs and stopped walking 5 miles a day. So my BP went up. It was 143/90 in the CVS 2 weeks ago. Then I had it taken at the Dr.'s office last week and it was 150/100, then I took it at home while so nervous and it was even up to 180/120! Crazy. I am now trying to avoid meds, exercise like crazy, cut out salt, and stay away from that BP monitor! It is the devil. I have BP meds with me but I just think it's the fear of that stupid little machine that is causing this.
Helpful - 0
2 Comments
Haha...you are so right about being the devil...I suffered a devasting loss of my dad when I was sixteen...I remember that cuff...I suffered for two years  with anxiety and depression but  made it through..conquered my anxiety and I was fine...til now...I am 58... Went to the doc and had a high  reading log,emulirs... their reaction to it freaked me out and today now I sit here afraid to take my measurement..I just can't...I really feel doctors and nurses need to be trained so they don't themselves create this....their freak out freaked me out and I have a Spent two days I. Bed..I am I. Good shape otherwise...diet perfect...don't know what to do now...maybe live with not knowing.
It's likely, if you never had this problem before, to be normal the next time you get it checked -- it varies naturally in all of us, as do lots of things doctors check, such as nutrient levels and hormones.  
Avatar universal
I am so happy to have found this thread. I had high blood pressure issues during my pregnancy which cleared up after giving birth but ever since I have a severe anxiety when I even see a bp machine. I have a home bp monitor which has really helped me. My fear now though is when someone else, other than myself, is taking it. I'm scared of it being high, and what they will say. Has anyone dealt with this? Do you say something to the nurse prior to them taking it? Has that helped?

I need to go a chiropractor but am avoiding doing so because I worry they are going to take my bp.
Helpful - 0
1 Comments
Yes I have performance anxiety with blood pressure machines, which means I am fearful of what others may think.  I take my blood pressure at home and give them readings.  I feel too the medical community is very gready and will get people on meds that they don't need because of kickoffs at the end of the year with taxes
Avatar universal
Sometimes, though, when I take my BP at home, especially if i havent done it in weeks, i get anxious until I get used to it.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
While I havent had my BP go that high, I certainly experience the EXACT same thing you do.

You are not alone.

My doctor recommended I speak to a mental health professional, just in case. It's always a good idea to talk things through with someone who's trained in behavioral science.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I feel the same way. Its absolutely nuts.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I have a similar issue. I had a bout of medical weirdness in Aug '15 (all is well now), but a lingering fear of BP machines has stuck with me. My BP was never high prior to this, and I've taken my BP at home for 2 weeks straight and it was always 117/78 ish.

When I get anxious, the BP can get really high, like 148/88, or some other combination.

Its good to know others have similar experiences.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Some of these people that work in the dentist do not know what they are doing - I have the same problem - white coat syndrome - when she strapped the little blood pressure strap on me which came from a pharmacy - I guess - and she made me hold my arm straight down - I tried to tell her no - you can't get an accurate reading holding your arm down - but she insisted - by this time I was already aggravated - then it came back way high - she said you nervous - I said yes I am - then I said that reading can not be right and I have never had a reading that high and she said let me get the nurse to take it and when she did the right way with a real blood pressure - it came back a little high not to bad but 30 to 40 points different from the other reading - Now I am a thinking - this tells you that your machine is not working correctly and you are taking blood pressure of people - I asked her - how often does this happen and she said - all the time.  So how many people have left there stressed to the max - going to their dr because of this .   I told my husband - I may go back there to get my teeth cleaned but if they even offer to take my b/p - I will leave -
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
ur awesome thanks for the suggestion..i usually have a normal bp..but one day when i got admitted in hospital for high fever.everything was normal untill..on the discharge day morning the nurse woke me up and took the reading..that showed 150/90 she was shocked and said its really high and why r u getting such high for ur age(i am 22).from that day when i go to near that machines my hearts starts pacing up..even after one month from now i face that problem..i can hear my heart beating hard face flushing and bp gets hike..i am very concerned with this because i don't know whether i am having a high bp or not..when i recently checked my bp it is showing 150.when i am explaining it to them they are laughing and taking the reading again that instant and making me more nervous..again it shows same and they confirms it i don't know what to do..but you helped me today.
thank you
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Thanks I'll try and remember these tips.

I had a really bad panic attack at the dentist/Surgeons office yesterday 11-04-15 right about the time they told me they were going to take my Bp.

The nurse told me as she was placing the cuff on me that it would probably be a little high. I went on to tell her I had White Coat syndrome and I knew it would be high. She looked really concerned as she said it was 180/115. Wow, that's the highest. She gave me water and I told her I would be outside getting some air. It was horrible. I came back inside and I didn't hear anything the gentle speaking surgeon said about extracting my cracked crown/tooth. All I heard was "cadaver bone graft" for my future tooth implant.

When it was time to talk about the payment and setting up a date. I felt the pounding of my blood pressure and could not step in that small sized office space (small pantry closet size)

Again, I told them I would be outside getting air. I grabbed a Coke on my way out. Called my wife and told her I loved her. Explained what happened, she reminded me to breathe. She left work to come be with me. I told her not too I would be fine. She works in another town.

Walked back in to the front desk gave them y credit card for the visit. Walked back just to hand them my credit card and walked out. 5-10 min later walked back in and told them it wasn't a good time for me. I would call them tomorrow. Signed the receipt, grabbed the estimate and left.

I walked to the near by water fountain to listen to the sound as I prayed to God to stay near me.
I prayed, I self talked, the soothing voice from my wife helped but I still felt scared something bad (stroke) or something was going to happen.
Drove to a nearby 7-11 and bought some baby asprin took two and drove home.

My wife came home early rubbed my shoulders and I went to bed. She massaged my back until I went to sleep.

She told me the next day (today) when she came home I looked pale white.

I think it's a combination of things that triggered that horrible panic attack. Loss of sleep, stressed out due to finials at school and trying to keep up at my older age. Dehydrated from energy drinks I drank the day before during my studies.

I feel embarrassed that I couldn't snapped out. It didn't matter what I told myself. I knew it was only a consultation appt. My wife says not to be embarrassed. I am not the only one that has had a panic attack in their office.

This only seems to happen when it comes to my Bp being taken which is at my doctors office. Only this time it happened somewhere else and it felt way more Intense.

Classes are over and I will be staying away from the drinks (energy) as well.


Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I love your post and you are dead right about everything.I have a terrible fear of BP machines and had to get mine taken this morning. It was 150/100 then went down to 150/90 after 10 minutes. not high for me.
at home its 130/70. but i suppose the doctors have a duty of care so they ask me to come back in one week, history repeats itself. I dont think i will ever be able to beath the machine in hospital environment - its a learned behaviour that i just cannot change it seems.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I had it too. Normally my BP was 130/90. But when this anxiety of mine attacked me for the first time, it became 150/100 which made me freak out. I'm pretty surprised my BP surged that high, but when I took another BP the week after, it lowered to 120/70, and maybe it was because i started eating healthy and increased my physical activity.

Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I currently need to visit my doctor because of some abdominal pain. But my "fear" of getting my bp checked is what's stopping me.  My parents and my brother all have the same condition.  I know I'm very paranoid but the thought of people knowing I'm taking maintenance at my age because of high bp is really embarrassing for me.  I like the idea of the nurse distracting you from fear or whatever. I hope I could meet a nurse who would understand and act that way.  My hands are very clammy now just thinking about my bp being checked.  But I also want to get over my abdominal pains and my fears.  I'm just really glad that there are people out there who have the same fear as mine.  
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I am hoping this helps someone.  I have suffered from anxiety for about 12 years.  I developed a fear with the blood pressure machine while pregnant with my first child and it continued through the birth of my second.  

I have found relief, however, from anxiety in general without using prescribed meds:

1.  Take a magnesium supplement
2.  Radically change your diet to one of "clean eating."  It turned out that artificial sweeteners were root cause of most of my "freak out" episodes.  Unfortunately, they are in most products.  Look up their names so you can be familiar with them and read every label before you consume any item because they are in a lot more than just diet and low sugar items.  Sacchrin, dextrose, (anything with a "ose") to name just a few.  They are in jello, powdered drinks, frozen desserts, the list goes on and on.... You may have a different trigger but clean eating should help you figure out what it is.
3.  Avoid caffeine and alcohol products.  I am convinced that some wines (they are not required to have an ingredient label) have BAD stuff in them.
4.  Exercise regularly - it doesn't have to be crazy, but anyone can take a 30 minute walk each day.
5.  Pray, pray, pray!  God is good and He is always willing to help!  "God is our refuge and strength, an ever present help in trouble." Psalm 46:1

It will probably take about three weeks for all of the "bad stuff" in your system to be gone enough that you will notice a difference in how you feel.  
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
My story is very similar to yours.  I never had fear having my BP done, but ever since i found out my BP was done at my Gp's office, i was terrified of having my BP measured.  The number would usually be high at first, and then later drops to the normal range.  I am very interested in the meditation technique that you had mentioned in your article.  can you talk a little more about it.   Thanks a lot
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Hi IIucy, I put a post on this site yesterday, I read yours and I really felt for you. I am the same, suffered with anxiety for years. Sometimes with panic attacks.I also developed the bp phobia, and only this week had a traumatic experience at the doctors. The thing is, there is a way out of this. Maybe youve heard of Mukta Vati by now, it lowers bp amazingly and fast. Ive brought mine back down again in a few days. Even so, when I first sit down to take it I get the phobia, pounding heart etc. But even with that the first readings are not bad at all.  Then I start to relax because of that and it comes down further. Are you in USA ?   if so I see they are sold on Amazon. I have recently got some on ebay here in the UK. Hope this will be of help to you.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Hi, I only found this site a couple of days ago. It has been such a relief to see that so many people have this phobia about having their bp taken, and even when doing it theirselves at home. I am exactly the same.  I had a very traumatic experience 3 days ago at my doctors . Three days before this my bp had been 107 /71. I went for a flu jab and the nurse said she would take my blood pressure.  She said you can refuse if you like. Even though I know its high when I have it done at the doctors, I stupidly agreed to have it done. Oh my god !  Did I regret it. It shot up to 220 over 115, she kept doing it over and but it either went up higher or down a point or two. They wouldnt let me leave. They took me into another room and had the receptionist sit with me as they thought this would calm me down. It had  no effect whatsoever as I knew it wouldn't. After about an hour I had to go in and see the doctor. She immediately wrote me a prescription  for bp meds. Wants me to go back on anti depressants,  ( I have been on them within the last year)  but I dont feel depressed anymore. She also wants me to see a councilor. Anyway, I really didnt want to go on bp meds, especially the one she was giving me. I couldnt find anyone who said anything good about it. I decided to take my mukta vati  tablets that I took last year when my bp went up due to stress. I took 2 when i got home from the doctors, about 6pm. Then 2 more at 10pm. Took 2 at 6am the next morning. I have my own bp monitor and took my bp about 9 am.  Iwas getting average readings of 158/83 so my bp had come down a lot since the docs the evening before.  I took 2 more lots of 2 tablets that day.. To day I took 2 tabs about 7am. Took bp about 10 am and  it was now averaging 145/77. Took another 2 tablets at 12 midday. By 3pm my bp was averaging 132/73  and even had some in the 120's over 68. It is such a relief. I will keep taking them now and monitor every day for a while. They definately always work. I buy the Divya Mukta Varti, you can buy it on Amazon or just google it. Some of you may have heard of it already but more people with this awful problem need to know about it. It really helps with the phobia, because even though you feel stressed when taking your bp, it gradually lowers it anyway. It may take a few days longer to work with so e people but persevere because it does work.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I am so glad i have found this site,everything i have read on here i can relate to,my bp problem started when i had my first daughter,every time  i went for my antenatel check my bloodpressure would be slightly raised,but the way the doctors and nurses spoke to me made me feel like it was something really serious this in turn made me really really anxious everytime i went for a check up and with time my bloodpressure would go from being slightly raised to very high,,viscious circle.After my daughter was born i had to have mt bloodpressure checked regularly and of course because the seed had been planted it was always high.eighteen months later i got pregnant again i was really happy to be having another baby but then the fear kicked in about the antenatel checks and the bloodpressure going up,i tries on numerous occassions to exsplan it was because i was so anxious but it didn't make any difference still had the omg comments from the medical proffession.After i had my 2nd daughter i was  left alone for a while,i then started having panick attacks and general anxiety disorder and was quite poorely with it,inthe back of my mind during all this what really sticks in my mmiind is bloodpressure checks i don't know if this caused my anxiety and panic but i'm sure it didn't help,i went for a routine doctors appointment oneday ans shhe said oh i will take your bp its not been taken for a while,i felt really really sick when she mmentioned aking my bp i told her oit would be really high because i always got really really anxious visting doctors annd having bloodpressure taken and that it would be really high cos iit always had been inthe past,she had a look into my medical records and said no your bllodpressure was ok really,but the day she took it cos of all the severe anxiety i felt it was sky high.I then had to book an appointment with the nurse for a repeat test,has you can imagine when it was  checked cos of my bp phobia it was  sky high,i now have a really good nurse and we had a good chat and i exsplaine my bp fears with her and she under stood,she advised me to get a bhome bloodpressure monitor and record my readings at home,then to take my readings to her when i had taken then at home and we would take it from there,the outcome was when i took my readings at home they were wiithin the normal range,she checked my machine was  giving accurate readinds by checking it with hers it was,she exsplained about white coat syndrome annd said thats what i have and its a recogniised condition i goo and see her every 6 mnths with my home readings and my machine so she can check its accurate,upto now it has been,she said my readings at home are normal so not to worry i go twice a year to see her annd evenn weeks  before my appointments due i get really worked up,i really wiish i could control this fear but as of yet i can't,i think its the bp phobia thats caused the anxiety and fear
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Hi when I woke this morning  my pulse was 61 lunch time when I took my pb reading my pulse rate 142 and of cause it was high, doctors did this to me fear and anxiety of the taking my bp . 30 years ago,
Helpful - 0
Have an Answer?

You are reading content posted in the Anxiety Community

Top Anxiety Answerers
Avatar universal
Arlington, VA
370181 tn?1595629445
Arlington, WA
Learn About Top Answerers
Didn't find the answer you were looking for?
Ask a question
Popular Resources
Find out what can trigger a panic attack – and what to do if you have one.
A guide to 10 common phobias.
Take control of tension today.
These simple pick-me-ups squash stress.
Don’t let the winter chill send your smile into deep hibernation. Try these 10 mood-boosting tips to get your happy back
Want to wake up rested and refreshed?