Blood Pressure Monitering

Hello, Im new here. I had a question someone might be able to answer.

Awhile back, I was at my Dr office, and I was told I had blood pressure that was a bit high. I think it was like 140/80. I had a stressful day, so that was a bit unusual. However it got me to start keeping an eye on my blood pressure.

Is it normal to sit down, wait 2 minutes, take the blood pressure, and have a systolic in the low to mid 130's, then wait like 2 more minutes and have it drop down to like 124?
Also, if you take your blood pressure like 4 times ina row(i know its not good to do that, but sometimes I cant help myself), and the first 2 readings are say upper 120's, then the last 2 are around 118, is it better to believe the 118? Due to sitting a little longer by those last couple readings?

I was just curious, because my readings jump up and down a bit usually. I use a battery operated moniter. I have seen jumps between mid to lower 130's down to 114 or 118, just after sitting a few extra minutes.
I have recently began taking garlic supplements to try and keep my BP in the normal range.

Hope someone can help!

[Barbarella]

I've severe white coat hypertension.  I saw a Hypertension Specialist, and he told me that your BP in healthy people with normal BP changes constantly throughout the day.  It depends what stress you are under, how hard you work physically or emotionally.  He told me just looking at a heavy chair you are getting ready to lift up will raise your BP.  Being afraid of what your BP # will be will raise your BP and so on.

He told me NEVER to have my BP taken when under stress or severe anxiety because the readings will be false.  He told me to sit for 15 minutes, and if I feel calm THEN take my BP.  My first two readings even after the 15 minutes are still high, and I am on BP meds, the Hypertension Specialist told me when you are very afraid of the outcome what your numbers will be all the BP meds will not help you, your BP will still be high, but not as high as if you were not on BP meds.  He told me to go ahead and take the first reading after 15 minutes, if its high, disregard it, and wait a few more minutes because the BP WILL come down, and it always does.

The jury is still out if people with white coat hypertension need to go on BP meds.  Some do, some don't.  I had to, but have no side effects.  Thank god!

[FearfulOfDisease]

So if my systolic does dip to 115 and 118 sometimes, than i most likely have normal blood pressure?
Would most likely stay above 120 all the time if I really had troubling high blood pressure?

[FearfulOfDisease]

Yes im serious. Why? Is that bad?

[pvcqueen]

Are you serious?

[often]

If it is in the 120's or lower you are fine.  It is not unusual to have the numbers change when you take your pressure every couple of minutes.  I think you need to stop checking it so often.  

[Barbarella]

They used to say up to 140/90 is "normal" BP.  However, not to long ago they came out with new guidelines which says over 120/80 up to 140/90 is "pre-hypertensive".

From the numbers you posted your BP is fine.  Do not worry about it.

[Jack54]

Some people become obsessed with their BP and take many readings per day. Some of the same people have very inaccurate equipment also. I don't know what type of BP monitoring device you have, and it really doesn't even matter in a way, because the best on the market can give false readings, especially when you keep repeating the test.

Stay away from the wrist and finger BP measuring devices. I have read at the American Heart Association's web site that they are not as accurate as the arm devices. I have an Omron 870. A few years ago, it was one of the best at $85. I use it only to measure trends in my BP. I never really consider it accurate unless I first use a sphygnometer as a reference.

Get yourself a sphygnometer like the nurses use and learn how to use it. It is very simple to use with some practice and use of the instructions. Get one with a good needle valve though. If used correctly, they are very accurate. If you keep compressing the brachial artery though, your readings will be off. Also check each arm. You should ask your nurse to do it. If there is a difference, go with the highest pressure to be conservative, per the AMA.

If you are truly concerned, stop by your doc's office and have your BP checked, or many pharmacies will check your BP for free.

Never check your BP after eating, or when you are worked up. Sit at a desk or table, feet on the floor, back against a chair, and most importantly make sure that the instrument is level with your heart. Let your heart rate return to the normal resting rate and think happy, soothing thoughts for a minute or so. Then hit the button...

Many nurses take your BP while your legs are dangling and back is unsupported, due to being on an exam table. They also do not hold the pressure gauge level with your heart. I have read that if you are on the table and the nurse is sitting down, it can add as much or more than 10 mmhg to your BP reading. There are studies to back this up. The study in particular that I read, was done by a Doctor and a very prestigious RN. She was the head of some really smart people organization :)

Happy BP taking, but don't wear your arm out :)

Jack

[viennaustria]

Plan English: You do not have high blood pressure jet, but that’s OK to think about it, and do the right thing not to developed higher numbers. 140 is not high , but an indication.... keep taking the garlic supplements ,very good thing, also try to eat salt free, limited sodium, eat things like parsley, use caraway for spice if you like the taste it is very good source  lowering  your blood-pressure .Also : deep(yoga) breathing, exercise general. Weight control is very important.
I have high blood pressure, but I am on heart medications, so it is under control , before like you do , I used to check my blood pressure often...so I could see how much different eating the right food and regular exercise could/can do.

You also can swallow small garlic pieces with water....especially wild garlic is excellent if you can get it from a forest and the freshness is guaranteed. :) you can get WILD- garlic supplements also.

Good luck.

[FearfulOfDisease]

Yeah. Today I sat at the kitchen table, and I took it 3 times to see what it did. It was around 122, 114, then 124. I stood up, washed a dish, then sat doen and took it again right away and it was 131. Strange how just standing up to wash a dish can raise it again.
I diastolic is always really good. always between the 60's and lower to mid 70's. Its just the systolic that bounces around between the 130's and 118 or so. Usually after i rest a bit its between 118 and 125 or so. It used to be in the 130's regularly before I started the garlic. Although I dont think I was resting long enough back then either.
I just hope this doesnt mean I am on my way to high blood pressure. At what number should I begin worrying? And should I only worry if its there on a regular basis?

[viennaustria]

Don't worry at all. Your numbers are GOOD ! Keep the garlic etc.
If it would go over 150 that’s high, then I would do ( I did ) my notes ..let say for 2-3 weeks every day at the same time 3-5 times a day.....give it to your DR....he can help you to go from there.....

BUT under 140 I wont care at all, and don't forget try to be stress free...less tension, arguments bad mood ...mental well being all very important....  

[FLBrat]

crazy that so many things can affect the reading.  while in hospital I found that if I crossed my ankles it would not read correctly (according to the nurse).  While recovering I was directed to take BPs on awakening, first laying, then standing.  They were different of course.  do what you can to control the BP.  Once again diet and exercise.  Do you think there is a theme here??

[viennaustria]

You right diet and exercise !

  My son once proofed me that with our willpower we can change even our bp. He is advanced in hatha yoga. He can bring his blood p. down with concentrating on it but I mean really down...I tried ...didn't work that well for me, but it did go down significantly after meditating on it. It was before I was diagnosed with DCM ...and I wasn’t on any medication. I always close my eyes and meditate in the DR's office before they put the thing of me.

[viennaustria]

....on me...:)