After Halter: Much higher blood pressure at work?

[Sam8383]

Hello,

I'm a 27 male, and recently did some tests for the first time to see if I have high blood pressure. I had a heart scan and did a running machine test, which happily turned out normal. With a 24 hour blood pressure halter, I had normal readings (around 125/80) while in the morning and early afternoon (while I was at home, relaxed and reading), and also when sleeping. However, in the later afternoon and evening (while I was at work, from 3 - 10pm) my readings were a lot higher (between 140/85 - 155/90). I'm a teacher and enjoy my job (it's not particularly stressful or physically strenuous), but my bp was measured when I was busy doing something/standing, not sitting relaxed after reading a novel for 5 minutes. After work, when I'm home and relaxed, it seems to fall back in the normal range (around 125/80).

My doctor said to continue to diet/exercise and monitor my bp for the next two months (as I have been). I just wanted to know if it is usual for bp to be significantly higher when people are at work? Is this common/normal, or a problem? And if so, how do people deal with this, if in other situations (i.e. at home, relaxed), bp seems to be within the normal range.

Also, in my reading, I haven't been able to clarify, does "High Blood Pressure" mean it's high consistently (e.g. over 140/90) even when it is tested when one is relaxed in the mornings, or if it's only "high" at certain times of the day, is this also considered "hypertension"? Perhaps "mild hypertension"?

Thanks for your attention and support :)

[Sam8383]

Hi there,
Thanks for your response! That's a good question about why I did the tests in the first place. The first time I started thinking about 'high blood pressure' was at the end of 2009. I was 26 at the time, and a high reading at the doctor's came as a surprise. I had a few more subsequent high readings, but I knew I was feeling nervous at the time, and so bought a home bp monitor. When I was relaxed I got readings within a more normal range (between 120-130/80), so assumed it was 'white coat hypertension'. Also, changed my diet and did more exercise, to try to reduce my bp.

However, lately I've been getting headaches when I'm a bit stressed, so wanted to check if it was due to blood pressure, or rather, confirm whether I actually had high bp or not.

It seems I'm more sensitive to getting higher bp readings than other people (e.g. if I'm stressed/nervous, it makes my bp higher than it would in an average person).

The doctor told me to monitor my bp morning and night for the next 2 months at home, then I have to do the halter again. A friend suggested I may have "labile hypertension", i.e. hypertension that fluctuates more abruptly than usual...

What do you think? Thanks!

[jrbon]

My understanding is that HBP exist when it is consistently high. What you describe it seems to me a normal BP having into account that your job involves a degree of anxiety (been in front of the class).

If I were you I just will try to be more relaxed in the class, perhaps some respiration and relaxations techniques can help there. Also be sure to be properly hydrated, 7 hours of class in a row is really exhausting.

Now the questions is: What make you go to pass all those test in the first place??

Jesus