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Heart Disease (Expert Forum)
Anxiety/high blood pressure
This forum is for questions and support regarding heart issues such as: Angina, Angioplasty, Arrhythmia, Bypass Surgery, Cardiomyopathy, Coronary Artery Disease, Defibrillator, Heart Attack, Heart Disease, High Blood Pressure, Mitral Valve Prolapse, Pacemaker, PAD, Stenosis, Stress Tests.
Anxiety/high blood pressure
by Henri, Nov 14, 1999 12:00AM
For most of my life, I've had normal blood pressure, with the
usual variations. This past year, however, I've had more high
readings 140s/90s types that are getting to be disconcerting.
I can easily go from a resting pulse rate of 70 to 120 when the
cuff starts to squeeze the arm. I'm afraid of what I'll get, so
I make it worse. I don't smoke, drink, take drugs, am not over-
weight at all and am relatively active. I'm careful about my
diet. I'm 43, female, pre-menopausal. My Mom is now on high
blood pressure meds (she's 84 and started them in her seventies)
and my Dad had a stroke in his mid seventies. He is 83. I'm
concerned about taking meds for this as I've read about potential
negative side effects and I want to see if I can calm myself
down and have my husband take it at home for a while to see if
I can get over this phobia. I get some PVCs sometimes too, which
I am trying to cope with. I've had all the heart checks and have
come out normal. Thanks for any suggestions you might have. H.
usual variations. This past year, however, I've had more high
readings 140s/90s types that are getting to be disconcerting.
I can easily go from a resting pulse rate of 70 to 120 when the
cuff starts to squeeze the arm. I'm afraid of what I'll get, so
I make it worse. I don't smoke, drink, take drugs, am not over-
weight at all and am relatively active. I'm careful about my
diet. I'm 43, female, pre-menopausal. My Mom is now on high
blood pressure meds (she's 84 and started them in her seventies)
and my Dad had a stroke in his mid seventies. He is 83. I'm
concerned about taking meds for this as I've read about potential
negative side effects and I want to see if I can calm myself
down and have my husband take it at home for a while to see if
I can get over this phobia. I get some PVCs sometimes too, which
I am trying to cope with. I've had all the heart checks and have
come out normal. Thanks for any suggestions you might have. H.
Doctor's Answer
by CCF CARDIO MD JMF, Nov 15, 1999 12:00AM
I would have this thoroughly reviewed with your internist. I would recommend starting medication if you have more than 3 readings of greater than 130/90.
