How to diagnose high blood pressure at home

I'm very confused about how to diagnose high blood pressure.My BP is average most of the times 130/78.Yesterday I had a very bad headache that started gradually from the front of the head towards the back of my neck.I waited a while before taking a tablet and it took over 1/2 an hour for the pain to go down.When the pain was at its worse I decided to take my BP I was getting worried and the reading was 160/98.I rush to emergency and the reading there was 140/80.I told thedoctor my previous reading that's why a panic and she said the reading was fine the top one a bit high but probably due to nerves I honestly though I was experiencing a brain haemorraghe.Now I want to diagnose and confirm if I have high BP.How often and for how many days do I have to take it to diagnose it.Once my doctor told me if you BP is OK you only have to take it once a year.Now I'm getting paranoid about it and want to take it all the time,I don't want to live with this constant worry about my readings.

[ireneo]

BP readings fluctuate minute by minute. And it's quite common for BP to rise when a person is sick, in pain or stressed at all.

I tend to have higher BP when I go see my doctor. She knows I hate being there and prefers I monitor my BP at home. A few things to know: you should take your machine in to be calibrated once in awhile. That can be done at your doctor's office. And when you do take your BP, sit upright, quietly, feet flat on the floor for 5 minutes, then take the reading. The arm should be fairly level with your heart, not hanging down.

Before I go see my doctor, I take my BP once a day for a week, then show her the readings so she has a good idea of how I'm really feeling.

[alleycat2]

I have simular nervous problems. I am now on Lexapro and it really helps me and my blood pressure.

[ladyblue22]

First of all blood pressure is diff. in every human. the norm is 120/80 but I doubt that majority of the people have that reading.
Also your BP changes all the time...when you sit quietly and watch tv it will be diff. then when you are moving and doing things. Also a blood pressure in the range you had when you rushed to the ER is not deadly or dangerous  ....I recall my doc. telling me that a BP with sys. over 200 and dia. over 120 is something to get checked immediately.

If it makes you feel better to know the average BP use one of these BP trackers here on MedHelp. I use one too.
Measure your BP once or twice a day, write it down (don't forget the pulse), watch it for over a week or two. If the numbers are in a normal range,( 90-139 on the SYS) no worries
If your numbers are slightly elevated  go and see your doc and ask the doc what she would recommend.
If your numbers are way high then you def. have to see a doc and they will put you on BP meds.

I don't think you have high BP, at the most maybe slightly elevated. but that is nothing to worry yourself over. One tip: don't measure when you are anxious ....then for sure it will be high and not your actual normal BP. Also, maybe your anxiety is causing the higher readings in the first place....do you have Anxiety or panic attacks???

Good luck and let us know how it goes!
  

[erijon]

Some great advice here. Let me add a couple thoughts. First, try to take you BP at the same time each day. The best time is about 30 mins after you get up. Also, don't take it too often, once or twice a day is enough, it is very easy to become fixated on your BP which will cause it to go up. Also, always wait 5 mins between readings to allow your arteries to rebound. Taking it too soon will cause an artificially low reading.

I also use the BP tracker here, feel free to take a look at mine, you can get to it on my profile. It will give you an idea of how it works.

Good luck,

Jon

[star68]

I so much appreciated all your advice it's very helpful, You're all wonderful for giving me the support.  Yes I get very anxious about my blood pressure my mum suffers from it High BP and I keep checking it to see if there has been any changes in case I have it.  I think it's hereditary and I'm kind of waiting for it to happen at some stage.  I try not to get stress up, take life easy, exercise, eat healthily but I'm 42 now and I think it's bound to happen. I think my anxiety contributes to a lot of my problems but I try my best to overcame and control it by positive thinking, relaxation, breathing exercises,.etc..,most of the times it works but when I get a symptom like a bad headache my world falls apart and I think"this is it"and I have to check my blood pressure, rush to emergency in case it's a stroke "the quicker they act the more chances of survival", so with all that going through my mind it's not surprising my BP goes up.  But I will follow your advice and I will have a look at the BP tracker.

Cheer and if you need my support drop me a line.

Take care