odd blood pressure readings

[hinaman]

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Starting during the election,(don't know if that's related...) a typical lst time-of-the-day blood pressure reading (morning of afternoon doesn't seem to matter) is about 200/104

But then it very quickly drops; within 5 minutes or so it's down to around 170/92, and about ten minutes later it comes down to around 130/74; if I take it again later in the day it's still about that level. ( I check my b.p. about 3 times per week)

So the AVERAGE of the readings during the day isn't too bad (more often I take it during the day, the lower the average is), but I'm still worried about that high lst time of the day reading.

Could this be a kind of 'white-coat' hypertension the lst time I take my blood pressure(even tho I take it at home), but of course I don't really know.

What's going on??

Thanks

[Lee Kirksey, MD]

I agree with the other comments. Perhaps it's "home white coat phenomenon"
The other question to clarify is if you take BP meds? Its is not uncommon for some patients to have morning BP elevation as those evening meds "wear off"
Perhaps the most important question is what the significance of these elevated BPs are if they in fact are accurate. That is quite high

[RAYVIC17]

Cortisol is highest in the morning...which causes your BP to be highest when you first get up......it's getting your body revved up to fight a new day!!  Wait a while before taking the first BP reading.

[RAYVIC17]

However, I'm not too happy with those high readings. See your doc; maybe change meds or time you take it.

[hinaman]

OK good information...I'll be seeing my doc next week

Thanks

[mitraldoc]

the response to the post is basically correct; however this is an obvious case of "white-coat hypertension" without the white coat, just as the poster suggests. If the poster is indeed telling the truth that his pressure drops to normal levels within minutes, this is classic home "white coat hypertension."This phenom has been growing over the years with the advent of home blood pressure monitors. I see it fairly often with my patients.

Of course he should see his physician anyway but I see little cause for alarm given the poster's description of his pressure changes